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OUTPATIENT SERVICES
WHAT: The outpatient services department of Child Guidance Resource Centers
provides individual, group and family counseling. We have child and adolescent psychiatrists
on staff to provide evaluation and medication management. Our counselors are Master's
level social workers, psychologists and family therapists.
We serve children from preschool age to age 21. Hours of operation are Monday through
Thursday, 9:00am to 8:00pm and Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
SPECIALTY TRACKS
The Grief and Loss specialty track at Child Guidance Resource Centers is designed
to support children, adolescents and their families after they have experienced a
significant loss. Many difficult thoughts and feelings can arise after the loss of
a loved one. The services described below are central to managing and making meaning
out of these thoughts and feelings.
Assessment – A comprehensive Biopsychosocial Assessment is completed to gain a thorough
understanding of the client’s current functioning, as well as the impact of the loss.
The assessment is integral in the development of the treatment plan and helps to
identify the greatest areas of need. Client strengths are identified so they can
be utilized throughout the course of treatment and the grieving process.
Group Therapy - Group therapy is an important component in helping a child or adolescent
deal with a significant loss. Groups help decrease feelings of isolation and allow
clients to share their personal loss stories in a supportive environment with others
who have had similar experiences. The group leader will facilitate this discussion
and guide activities designed to evoke thoughts and feelings about the loss and help
clients process these thoughts and feelings.
Individual and Family Therapy - The individual and family therapy component will
allow the unique needs of each client to be addressed. Families will be provided
education related to what to expect throughout the grieving process given their child’s
developmental level. The family will also be supported in adjusting to the loss including
clarifying new roles family members may be assuming and ways the family plans to
remember the deceased. The therapist will also help the family develop an understanding
of the loss and “make meaning” out of the loss. Individually, clients will also be
given the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings about the loss that they may
be uncomfortable expressing in a family or group setting. Art and bibliotherapy may
be used as appropriate. At all times, a caring and supportive environment will be
maintained to support families as they transition through one of life’s most difficult
times.
ANXIETY SPECIALTY TRACK
The Anxiety Disorders specialty track at Child Guidance Resource Centers is designed
to provide treatment for children and adolescents whose lives are significantly impacted
by anxiety. Treatment may include a combination of medication and therapy or therapy
alone. Research has demonstrated that the approaches described below can be effective
in treating anxiety disorders.
Assessment – A comprehensive Biopsychosocial Assessment allows for development of
a thorough understanding of how anxiety is impacting various aspects of life and
how the anxiety difficulties developed. The assessment becomes an integral part of
treatment planning as client strengths are identified so they can be utilized throughout
the course of treatment. The assessment also helps identify areas that are in need
of special attention.
Medication Management - Medication can be a helpful component in the treatment of
anxiety disorders. Especially in severe cases, medication can permit clients to function
better at school and at home during the course of treatment and may facilitate participation
in treatment. However, medication may also impair the effectiveness of therapy by
reducing the level of anxious arousal and thus the motivation to work in therapy
to address the root of the client’s difficulties. Our psychiatrists will complete
psychiatric evaluations and determine if medication would be helpful. If medication
is indicated they will manage the medication, educate families about the medication
and monitor for any potential side effects. Medication checks are typically scheduled
on a monthly basis.
Therapy - The most effective treatment for anxiety disorders is Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT) which involves use of coping skills, changing thoughts and gradual
exposure to the anxiety-provoking stimulus. Therapists will work with children and
their families to teach coping skills that work for them. The therapists will also
assist clients in gaining increased awareness of their thoughts and develop ways
to change their thinking to reduce their overall experience of anxiety. As clients
develop these skills, they will have increased confidence to progressively face the
triggers of their anxiety. Therapists will also work with caregivers to help them
identify and implement effective ways to respond to the anxiety symptoms that occur
at home and at school. Group therapy is also offered to allow clients to practice
these skills and receive feedback from others who are experiencing similar difficulties.
Together these interventions have been demonstrated to be very effective in helping
clients overcome anxiety.
ADHD SPECIALTY TRACK
The ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) specialty track at Child Guidance
Resource Centers is designed to provide comprehensive treatment for children and
adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. The program consists of three core components, which
includes Medication Management, Parent Education and Skills Training. Treatment incorporating
these three core areas has been shown to be effective in helping children and families
affected by ADHD live happy and successful lives.
Assessment – A comprehensive Biopsychosocial Assessment allows for development of
a thorough understanding of how ADHD is impacting various aspects of life. The assessment
identifies areas that will become a focus of treatment and is integral to development
of the treatment plan. Client strengths are identified so they can be utilized throughout
the course of treatment.
Medication Management – Medication is often an effective component in the treatment
of ADHD. Our psychiatrists will complete evaluations and determine if medication
would be helpful. If medication is indicated they will manage the medication, educate
families about the medication and monitor for any potential side effects. Medication
checks are typically scheduled on a monthly basis.
Parent Education – A central component of any ADHD treatment is parent education.
Our therapists will help parents understand what ADHD is, what causes it and what
they can expect from their child. Therapists will also support family’s interactions
with their child’s school so that their academic needs are met, and will help parents
access community resources such as support groups. Parents can also expect to be
helped with learning strategies to effectively manage and respond to their child’s
behavior.
Skills Training – This component is provided through individual and group therapy.
Therapists will work with children to help them develop skills in various areas including:
focus/attention, social skills, coping skills, impulse management, disorganization
and self-esteem.
GROUPS
Social Skills/Anger Management- (Ages 7-11, Mondays 4:30-5:30; Ages 12-16, Mondays
5:30-6:30)
Focusing on coping skills, school, peer pressure, resolving conflicts, making friends,
socializing, anxiety, depression, decision making, authority issues, impulse control,
self esteem and taking personal responsibility. Participants will also work on developing
healthier ways to handle anger and interact with others, understanding anger, triggers
of anger, reactions to anger, “I” statements, communicating feelings and Awareness
of Uncontrolled Anger Sequence.
Coping with Chronic Illness/Disability- (Ages 10-16, Tuesdays 5 pm — 6pm) Designed
for youth who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness or disability. Participants
will explore and gain awareness of their feelings related to their illness/disability
in a safe, structured, therapeutic setting. Through group cohesiveness they will
gain support from their peers who are experiencing similar issues, problems, and
concerns and their experience of being a child with a serious medical condition will
be normalized by finding likeness and linkages between group members. Participants
will become empowered to gain improved self esteem and a healthier way of handling
the feelings related to being a child with a chronic illness or disability.
PLEASE CONTACT OUR ACCESS CENTER TO DETERMINE AVAILABILITY AND ELIGIBILITY. 484-454-8700
ext. 1120
Dealing with Grief and Loss- (Ages 7-17, Tuesdays 5-6 pm)
Children react differently from adults when a significant person in his or her life
dies. Once children are confronted with the reality of the death, they are likely
to display their feelings of sadness on and off over a long period of time, and often
at unexpected moments and in unexpected ways. This group is intended to help children
through this difficult process by focusing on education about the stages of grief
and loss (denial, bargaining, acceptance, anger, depression), developing new coping
skills for coming to terms with the loss, remembering the deceased, and working through
the difficult feelings they are experiencing. A variety of techniques will be implemented
such as: storytelling, art and creative therapies, psychoeducation, sharing memories
about their loved one with other group members, and ultimately creating a memory
book to take away with them at the end of the group.
• Groups are offered at our offices in Havertown: 2000 Old West Chester Pike.
• Group runs from February 19 through June 19, 2008.
PLEASE CONTACT OUR ACCESS CENTER TO DETERMINE AVAILABILITY AND ELIGIBILITY. 484-454-8700
ext. 1120
For specific questions about this group, please contact the facilitator:
Dawn Capone, M.Ed., NCC, Outpatient Therapist
484-454-8700 ext 1260
SOCIAL SKILLS/SELF-ESTEEM GROUP
DESCRIPTION: Participants will engage in discussion and activities designed to help
adolescents develop more effective skills for interacting with peers and adults,
as well as enhance their self-esteem. Topics discussed will include coping skills,
school issues, peer pressure, making friends, decision making, personal responsibility,
resolving conflict, socializing, anger management, impulse control and dealing with
authority figures.
WHO: Adolescents age 12-16 (or as accepted by the group leader).
WHEN: Tuesdays 6pm -7pm
WHERE: Child Guidance Resource Centers (Havertown Office)
HOW TO REGISTER:
Current CGRC Clients:
Client’s clinician should complete a Group Referral
Form and submit it to Miriam Quinn. Forms are available in
Medical Records.
External Referrals:
Contact CGRC’s Access Center at 484-454-8720 to
schedule an intake assessment. If the client is assessed to be appropriate for the
group, then the referral form for the group will be completed and submitted by the
assessing clinician.
In either case clients will be contacted to be notified of
their start date pending authorization by their insurance company.
THIS GROUP IS AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS WHO HAVE COMMERCIAL INSURANCE OR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE |
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