Founded in 1919, the Austen Riggs Center provides specialized mental health treatment for adults facing complex, treatment-resistant disorders in the scenic Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Their distinctive open campus approach combines intensive clinical care with patient autonomy, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their recovery journey. The center focuses on helping those who haven't found success in previous treatment settings by addressing underlying sources of suffering, exploring symptom meaning, and fostering active participation in the healing process. Treatment is anchored by four weekly psychodynamic psychotherapy sessions with doctoral-level clinicians. Austen Riggs offers a complete continuum of care through residential, step-down, and day treatment programs, all within a supportive therapeutic community. The center enhances recovery through creative expression opportunities including theatre, ceramics, visual arts, fiber crafts, woodworking, and gardening. Their comprehensive approach emphasizes relationship-building as fundamental to lasting mental health improvement, creating an environment where patients can rebuild healthy connections while reclaiming their lives.