Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy and counseling services are available at CSI to help children, couples, and families experiencing a wide range of adjustment and behavioral problems. Areas of expertise of CSI therapists include anxiety disorders; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; school and peer relationship problems; behavioral problems; adjustment problems associated with developmental transitions and/ or learning disabilities; pervasive development disorder/autism; management issues with toddlers and preschoolers; separation, divorce, and remarriage; adolescent underachievement; and selective mutism. Therapists at CSI use a variety of techniques to assist children and families, including play therapy, family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, insight-oriented therapy, behavior management techniques, and group therapy. When medication is deemed to be an appropriate adjunctive therapy, referral can be made to a psychiatric consultant experienced in psychopharmacology.
In addition to psychotherapy offered by individual therapists, CSI offers several specialized therapy programs, as detailed below.
Family Therapy Treatment Team
The Family Therapy Treatment Team, which is staffed by advanced doctoral trainees and supervised by Dr. Mary Eno and Dr. Madelaine Nathanson. Sessions may include the entire family, child or parent alone, or other participants as needed. Through the use of one-way mirror live supervision and videotape supervision, families receive close supervisory monitoring and benefit from team input in designing and implementing treatment plans. A sliding fee scale is available.
Anxiety Disorders Treatment Team
The Anxiety Disorders Treatment Team is staffed by advanced doctoral trainees under the supervision of Dr. Elna Yadin. Therapists use cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to help children, adolescents and adults manifesting anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobia. A sliding fee scale is available.
Organizational Coaching Program
The Organizational Coaching Program is designed for children, adolescents, and young adults who are experiencing problems in the areas of attention, organization, and/or executive functioning. The Organizational Coaching Program is staffed by advanced doctoral trainees under the supervision of Dr. Kara Schmidt. Individualized coaching plans are developed based on identified strengths and weaknesses; goals may include work on self-help skills, time management, selection and implementation of appropriate study skills, organization of material and workspace, and organization of thoughts and actions. Intervention often involves the individual, family, and school system. A partnership is developed with the goal of improving academic performance, independence, and general success in life.
Social Skills Groups
CSI offers weekly social skills groups for children from ages 8 to 16. Each group has 6 to 8 children in the same age range (e.g., ages 8-to-10), with most groups being single gender. These programs are designed for children with age-appropriate cognitive functioning who are experiencing difficulty in peer relationships. Topics covered include learning to listen, recognizing body language, improving conversational skills, expressing and recognizing feelings, demonstrating self–control, using relaxation techniques, thinking positively, handling teasing, and solving conflicts. Each group is staffed by two licensed and/or school-certified psychologists.