Spring Lake Ranch Therapeutic Community

09/01/2026

A few of our favorite Wendell Berry quotes to honor a man who knew the power of farming the land and living in community:

"I believe that the community - in the fullest sense: a place and all its creatures - is the smallest unit of health and that to speak of the health of an isolated individual is a contradiction in terms."

“…the care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.”

"I go among the trees and sit still. / All my stirring becomes quiet / around me like circles on water. / My tasks lie in their places / where I left them, asleep like cattle."

"Small farms make economic sense. They also produce more happiness, more beauty, more health—those things that aren’t so quantifiable..."

"Laugh. / Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful / though you have considered all the facts."

08/28/2026

If you can believe it, these aren't even all the winners!

Spring Lake Ranch showed up and showed out at the Rutland State Fair this year. All our produce and flowers are grown by our residents with the guidance of staff as part of our holistic approach to mental health care. In addition to robust psychiatric treatment, residents engage in meaningful work on one of four crews that keep the Ranch running: Gardens, Farm, Shop, or Woods. Victories like these state fair ribbons aren't just about beautiful product; they are about showing residents who are struggling with mental health challenges that they can still do incredible things! Congratulations, Gardens Crew!

08/27/2026

Spring Lake Ranch is up for Best Rehabilitation Facility and Best Place to Work in this year's Best of the Best from Rutland Herald! You can vote for us here:

Check it out now!

08/25/2026

"So, let’s throw it out! Burn that book, delete those Google drive docs that current researchers are using to build out the DSM-6. Woah, woah, woah. Not so fast. While it might not be a perfect product, the art of diagnosing has its utility. More nuanced, it is how we ascribe meaning and weight to the various labels within. In the wise words of my mentor and former Spring Lake Ranch psychiatrist Dr. FauntLeRoy: a diagnosis is like a suit of clothes. You try one set on, wear it until it doesn’t fit anymore, and then you try on something else. But most importantly, your clothes do not define you."

While it might not be a perfect product, the art of diagnosing has its utility. It is how we ascribe meaning and weight to the various labels within.

08/24/2026

Guess what? Spring Lake Ranch received BEST IN SHOW at The Vermont State Fair for the third year in a row (the second time for an onion varietal)! We are so proud of our Gardens Crew! A full recap coming later this week to celebrate all the ribbons won, but we wanted to give this year's Best in Show winner the spotlight first!

08/14/2026

08/12/2026

A few weeks ago, during a wind storm, a huge tree came down... right on top of our wood pile! (Not as convenient as it sounds.) Our incredible Woods Crew finished restoring the pile to its former glory yesterday.

Our work crews are small but mighty - made up of residents, staff, and even the occasional clinician. They accomplish tasks big and small every day that contribute to the community and remind residents that they are capable in the face of life's challenges. Residents are not required to have any particular skills before picking a crew; all they need is a willingness to show up. That's the first step toward building the skills and confidence that can lead to lasting recovery.

So these aren't just photos of a wood pile. These are photos of meaningful work that will keep us warm through winter and the path to well-being that starts with the courage to try.

08/11/2026

"The new Banks TLP meets this need and increases on-site beds by 30% when there’s a national shortage of residential psychiatric options... (Residents) will practice living independently while still having 24/7 access to the Ranch community, amenities, and staff. With the help of care managers and a vocational counselor, residents will obtain employment or volunteer off-site, take college courses, have access to their vehicles, and focus on developing life skills such as time management, cooking, and medication management. Programming and pricing are customizable so that long-term stays are more financially sustainable."

This marks a significant expansion for the Ranch, which has provided farm-based clinical care for adults experiencing mental illness since 1932.

07/30/2026

Our week. Soundtrack courtesy of a basement jam session at McKee House. 😎

Spring Lake Ranch is a residential treatment center for adults experiencing mental health and substance use challenges in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont. Through meaningful work, community, individualized care, and connections with nature, residents are given the tools to thrive.

07/29/2026

We are hiring an Administrative Assistant. An integral part of daily life at the Ranch, the position provides friendly, respectful, and professional assistance to residents, families, visitors, and staff. $46,800/year, plus the Ranch's ample benefits, which include delicious community meals. Read the full job description on our careers page: https://springlakeranch.org/careers/