Teaching independence is our core program value. Vista teaches individuals to develop their own voice on the path to an adult identity.
The path to independence is best described as the transition from seeing oneself as a dependent child to seeing oneself as an adult. This is a significant alteration in perspective that changes expectations and sets new goals. Students are encouraged to try new opportunities and experiences, and to learn from their mistakes. These experiences form the basis for their increased self-confidence and progress toward an adult identity and greater independence. The counseling model at Vista, taught to all staff, is the foundation of teaching cognitive and social skills program-wide. Counseling at Vista has a teaching, modeling, and supporting focus. Emphasis is placed on the skills of adult living and thinking: decision-making, problem solving, self-advocacy, relationship building, and accepting responsibility for one’s actions.
Several factors can have a greater influence on adult success and happiness than academic skills. These are the attitudes and behaviors that program counselors directly teach and support through the counseling process: setting goals, being proactive, understanding oneself, self-advocacy, and emotional coping strategies.