Onward Transitions

10/09/2025

Darrell and Caitlin sharing news and updates with colleagues/friends at the annual YATA (Young Adult Transition Association) conference in San Diego. This conference is one of our favorite and impactful events!

08/25/2025

Life in Portland: Portland is a safe, small, progressive, walkable city. Its attractions
include colleges, art museums, music venues, professional sports teams, an award-winning food scene, bountiful job market, and diverse recreational opportunities. Members usually live in the heart of downtown, generally within walking distance of each other, in their own one-bedroom or studio apartments.

Call us to schedul a call with our team 207-233-2401!
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08/14/2025

Our annual Lake Day for members and staff was a hit! Nearly every member ( unless they had a prior legit commitmemt ) enjoyed this perfect late summer day at Tassell Top Park on Sebago Lake. Not nearly as well known as other lake beaches in Maine, this one is quiet(er)and a beauty!

08/10/2025

A Quick Look at our pine House crew!

08/10/2025

Darrell at the lobster pots for the 10th annual Shore Dinner:)

08/10/2025

07/27/2025

Our 9th annual shore dinner was perfect! Everyone looks forward to this day, but no one more than Darrell. He mans the lobster pots and keeps the rhythm going:) It’s not easy to coordinate the timing. Ryan was busy on the grill cooking up seafood alternatives. Thanks to all staff and members who joined in to help and made it the best shore dinner yet:)

04/07/2025

We don’t just feature smiling members doing cool things in our social media posts. Here’s a real look at the grittier part of our daily work with our members on executive function skill building.

03/13/2025

Creativity in the kitchen! Guided by our in-house celebrity chef (Ryan Hutmacher-Google him), Zuko developed, prepared and hosted our community for this month’s Supper Club. Fantastic food and deliberate, thoughtful conversation ensued. Thank you Zuko and Ryan!

02/19/2025

Last week, our staff had the pleasure of receiving another in-person training on ACT from Dr. Kevin Polk at the Pine House. We've been working with Dr. Polk for years and appreciate this blog he wrote after his time with us. Dr. Kevin Polk created the ACT Matrix in 2009 to quickly engage people in the Acceptance and Commitment Process. Over the years, it has evolved somewhat, but the fundamentals remain the same. https://open.substack.com/pub/polkk/p/your-daily-matrix-and-21625?r=4khnpp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=emailDr.

https://www.theactmatrixacademy.com/

01/17/2025

We're headed to NATSAP! If you are going too, let's schedule a coffee date. We're at capacity and are looking for 2 new members to replace the 2 who are successfully transitioning to their next step. Let's chat! , ,

01/03/2025

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Darrell Fraize EdD, LCPC for earning his Doctorate Degree in Education! Darrell has been practicing mental health counseling since 1998. Until Onward, Darrell focused primarily on residential and wilderness treatment environments. Onward is partly an extension of the private practice he established in 2013, where he helped adolescents and emerging adults, virtually and in person, transition out of treatment programs and into conventional school and work settings. Darrell has also worked in public and private schools, community recreation, and summer camps and has taught at undergraduate and graduate levels. His research interests include the developmental stages of emerging and established adulthood, as well as job satisfaction and employee retention in mental health organizations. Darrell provides weekly group and individual clinical supervision to all Onward’s staff members and guides the weekly treatment team meeting.