Specialized Skills & Areas Of Expertise:
- Abuse & Neglect
- Trauma treatment
- Adult Mental Illness
- Behavioral Problems
- Child & Adolescent Mental Illness
- Delinquency
- Educational Problems
- Learning Disabilities
- Parent Education & Training
- Substance abuse/ Co-occurring Issues
Diagnostic Assessment/Evaluation
This comprehensive evaluation is conducted by a licensed mental health professional. The identified consumer and any other relevant parties such as family members or referring caseworkers may be included in the evaluation process. The consumer's psychosocial history and presenting problem are thoroughly examined. A diagnosis is formulated along with level of care and treatment recommendations.
Medication Assessment/Management
Medication related services are performed by board certified psychiatrist(s). The purpose of a Medication Assessment is to determine the appropriateness of psychoactive medication(s) as part of the treatment plan. Probable benefits and possible risks are discussed to help consumers to make an informed decision. Medication Management entails follow-up visits for consumers who are prescribed psychoactive medication, typically on a monthly basis, to monitor the effectiveness and issue on-going prescriptions.
Psychotherapy
Often referred to as "talk therapy" various modalities are offered including Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy. A treatment plan is developed with the consumer/family participation to determine the goals of treatment and measurable objectives toward reaching those goals. Various theoretical approaches and techniques are utilized, and consumer progress is regularly assessed.
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) Services:
Download PRP Referral for Adult || Download PRP Referral for Minor- Rehabilitation services to children, adolescents, and adults with diagnosed psychiatric disorders
- Rehabilitation services that include training in anger management, conflict resolution, independent living and social skills development, and medication monitoring for children & adolescents
- Rehabilitation Services that include improving or restoring independent living and social skills necessary to support living in the community, and to promote recovery, the ability to make informed decision and choices, and to live productively in the community.
- In-Home Wraparound Service
- Therapeutic mentoring
- Improve access to community resources
- Services provided in the consumer's home and/or in the community
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is an evidence-based clinical model which combines various therapeutic approaches that have strong research support for improving the psychological functioning of trauma-affected youth. These approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Skill-building (includes relaxation methods), Narrative therapy, Exposure therapy and Family therapy. This model is intended to run 12 to 15 weeks, after which time the consumer may transition with our agency for ongoing therapy.
In order for a child or teen to be referred for TF-CBT, they do not necessarily need to meet the diagnosis for PTSD, as long as they present with some of the symptoms. They do need to have experienced a trauma, which they themselves identify as having taken place, and ideally the child or teen would have an identified caregiver who could be present with them through this treatment process.
Community Based Intervention (CBI), Levels II & III
CBI services are evidence-informed, time-limited, intensive, mental health services delivered to DC-CSA children and youth ages six (6) through twenty-one (21), who are experiencing a crisis or otherwise demonstrating severe emotional/behavioral disturbance. Treatment sessions occur two to three times weekly and take place in the home, as well as the school if so ordered. The service lasts approximately 3 to 6 months and the CBI Coordinator provides clinical support and behavioral interventions to the youth and family, in order to stabilize the placement and functioning of the consumer.
Consumers may be eligible if they demonstrate two or more of the following a) are at risk of losing their current placement (biological or foster) due to difficult to manage behaviors, b) are returning from residential treatment, c) have negative involvement with schools for behavioral or emotional instability and may be at risk of failing, d) have a history of psychiatric hospitalizations, e) demonstrate stealing, lying, aggression or other socially inappropriate behaviors, either chronically or under stress, f) are undergoing a crisis that requires additional, intensive support and building of coping skills, and g) have involvement with the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) or the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).
Consumers are not eligible if they present with moderate to severe Intellectual Disability or Autism, do not have an Axis I or II diagnosis, are placed in residential or inpatient treatment, are actively suicidal or homicidal, or where substance abuse is the primary diagnosis. DC youth with MCO Medicaid insurance are not eligible to receive services with our agency.
Community Support Services
Community Support is recovery and resiliency oriented, intensive, community based rehabilitation and outreach service for adults and youth. It is team-based and consists of mental health rehabilitation interventions and supports necessary to assist the recipient in achieving and maintaining rehabilitative, resiliency and recovery goals. Community Support is designed to meet the educational, vocational, residential, mental health, co-occurring disorders, financial, social and other treatment support needs of the recipient. Interventions are provided primarily in natural settings, and are delivered face to face with individual recipients and their family/significant others as appropriate, to the primary well-being and benefit of the recipient. Community Support Team assists in the development of optimal developmentally appropriate community living skills, and in setting and attaining recipient (and family in the case of children) defined recovery/resiliency goals. It is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.