In 1955 the Reverend Monsignor Bernard M. Burns founded Villa Santa Maria as a home for troubled boys. Over the past four decades, the Villa has served hundreds of children and their families and has evolved into a specialized residential treatment center for both boys and girls ages five to fourteen.

Under the direction of Joseph McGuill, who began his career as a child care worker at the Villa in 1981, the Villa became licensed to provide mental health services and rehabilitation for children in 1992. The implementation of the Attachment Model as the foundation of treatment is the most recent shift in the Villa's therapeutic history. While, the Attachment Model may be a current addition to the Villa, our staff has over forty years combined clinical experience working with the model.