Therapy
Individual
Valley Clinical Services uses a family-centered, solution-focused approach to therapy. The therapist partners with the individual in creating a treatment plan to guide the therapeutic process. We seek to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to better manage and resolve issues which may include family, conflict, trauma, depression, anxiety, social development, school and work-related issues.
Family
Families play an integral role in successful treatment. Valley Clinical Services views the family system as a single cohesive unit. We recognize the fact that family members are continually in various stages of growth, development and circumstance that may challenge the family’s cohesiveness. Our goal is to support the family through difficult times and offer opportunities for improvement, growth, and fulfillment in family relationships. For adults, family therapy can be beneficial in assisting family members in understanding how mental health affects family dynamics.
DBT Skills Training
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is an evidenced-based therapy used to increase coping skills in order to reduce emotional distress and to prevent clients from acting on self destructive urges. The therapist uses DBT skills to help the individual become more effective in their relationships through teaching skills that increase effective communication. The therapist will also use DBT skills to teach individuals how to identify, regulate and therefore have more control over their emotions.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is provided by our Licensed Psychologist. This is an evidenced -based therapy used to reduce anxiety and distress related to past traumatic experiences. This therapy helps individuals process thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in order to modify the negative beliefs they hold about an experience. Through EMDR many individuals are able to achieve reduced distress associated with past experiences.
Play Therapy
In play therapy, the therapist uses developmentally appropriate therapeutic techniques in working with children to assist with building rapport and increasing communication with the child. A specially equipped play room is dedicated to play therapy to support the child in feeling comfortable and at ease in communicating with the therapist.
General Mental Health Groups
General Mental Health Groups focus on building knowledge, skills and insight so
that individuals can cope with everyday stressors. There are various formats for
these groups. Some groups may be psycho-educational in nature; meaning that clients
will receive more of an educational perspective on how to cope with and address
potential life stressors. Other groups may focus more on processing and exploration
of experiences and one's response to events. These process groups will provide group
members with an opportunity to critically think about the events, stressors and
situations in their life and with the guidance from the therapist, to develop healthy
ways to deal with them.
Substance Abuse
School Diversion Program
Life occurs and good kids make poor choices. When drug and alcohol policies are
violated, a school district may require the student and his/her family to attend
a School Diversion Program. Valley Clinical Services offers several options to meet
this requirement. The youth can attend 6-8 classes (depending on district policy)
that address the use of drug and alcohol to increase the youth’s awareness of the
damaging effects they can have on still-developing bodies and minds. These groups
also examine the consequences of using substances and encourages the youth to make
thoughtful decisions about the choices they make.
Youth can also choose to attend 6-8 individual appointments with a licensed therapist
to meet the diversion program’s requirements. The therapist will cover the topics
addressed in class and will also discuss individual and family stressors which may
be affecting the youth’s decision making process.
Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Program
This is an open-ended group that meets 3 times per week for 3-4 hours per session. The Seven Challenges®, a nationally recognized, evidence-based curriculum is used to guide the group. The curriculum explores learning about making thoughtful decisions about one’s life and sobriety. Individuals will develop a better understanding of their own personal values, beliefs and strengths. Individuals will acquire the knowledge and necessary skills to make thoughtful decisions about their lives. Thoughtful decisions consist of three components: information, internal motivation and commitment. These three components form the framework for The Seven Challenges®. A family involvement night is held one time per week to build supports and foster communication between the individual and their family, in addition to teaching family members how to support a sober lifestyle
Relapse Prevention Support and Planning
Once the individual has completed the group, or has completed another program and is looking for support, VCS offers a Seven Challenges group to assist in supporting the individual in maintaining sobriety and or the personal goals they achieved through the Seven Challenges Groups or other groups. Through meeting with others who have experienced similar struggles with alcohol and substance abuse individuals can support each other. The group meets 1 time per week for an hour.
Play Therapy
In play therapy, the therapist uses developmentally appropriate therapeutic techniques in working with children to assist with building rapport and increasing communication with the child. A specially equipped play room is dedicated to play therapy to support the child in feeling comfortable and at ease in communicating with the therapist.
General Mental Health Groups
General Mental Health Groups focus on building knowledge, skills and insight so
that individuals can cope with everyday stressors. There are various formats for
these groups. Some groups may be psycho-educational in nature; meaning that clients
will receive more of an educational perspective on how to cope with and address
potential life stressors. Other groups may focus more on processing and exploration
of experiences and one's response to events. These process groups will provide group
members with an opportunity to critically think about the events, stressors and
situations in their life and with the guidance from the therapist, to develop healthy
ways to deal with them.
Eating Disorders
Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Program
VCS’s Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Program is an open-ended group that meets
3 times per week for 3-4 hours. The group is facilitated by a Primary Therapist,
a Family Therapist, a DBT Skills Therapist and a Registered Dietician. The group
follows a journey of self-exploration, self-repair and planning for the future.
The program works on building self-esteem in each individual, preparing them to
make sound decisions and supporting them in maintaining healthy relationships with
food and exercise.
The educational component of this program focuses on medical complications, cultural
influences, and body image issues related to the development and maintenance of
an eating disorder. With guidance and support from the treatment team, group members
will have an opportunity to rebuild damaged relationships with family members and
learn how to maintain these relationships through the recovery process.
The program encompasses a family therapy component, so family members can understand
and come to terms with their loved one’s body image challenges. A family night is
held one time per week as an important part of a session designed to build supports
and foster communication between the individual and his or her family, in addition
to teaching family members how to promote an environment which supports healthy
lifestyles.
Weight Care
Valley Clinical Services provides nutritional assessments through our Registered
Dietician to assess individual dietary habits. Once a nutritional assessment has
been completed, the Dietician assists the individual in meal planning and tracking.
Our therapists are available to meet with the individual to explore stressors in
their lives and how these experiences impact health and eating habits. By providing
individuals on their journey with a comprehensive program of nutritional guidance,
therapeutic support from our therapists, and assistance in maintaining their optimal
weight we provide the framework for achieving success.
Autism Spectrum Services
Functional Behavior Assessment and Analysis
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) meets with the child and family to assess the child’s behaviors in their natural environment. The BCBA will also manipulate the environment to test hypotheses about the child’s behaviors and their functions. The BCBA collects this data and analyzes it to develop theories about the function of behavior. These theories are then utilized by the BCBA in working with the family around creating a plan for the child.
Behavior Coaching
The Behavior Coach is there to assist with carrying out the Functional Behavior Assessment Plan under the guidance of the BCBA. The coach provides instruction and guidance for the child in the home, school or in the community, essentially wherever the child needs behavioral assistance. The coach also supports the family in practicing new interventions, changing reactions and adjusting the environment so the child can achieve success. The coach helps to enhance the quality of life for all family members through supporting the family in meeting objectives to achieve their family vision.
Parent and Sibling Education and Support
We understand that it can be a confusing process to navigate benefits and services for a child diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. We believe that education helps to aleviate some of the worry, fear and frustration that many parents and families may experience. We assist with exploring the benefits that are available to our families through insurance and the State and also search for other community programs offering support from other parents travelling the same journey. Siblings also cannot be forgotten in this process. By educating them and working with them as a part of the family unit they feel included and validated as a member of the family.
Expressive Art
Expressive art groups are provided for children with Autism and other related disorders. The therapist focuses on cultivating the social, intellectual and emotional potential of each child with dignity and acceptance. Workshops employ various mediums for communicating feelings and emotions. We believe that art is an effective tool in supporting creativity, expression, and development and provides unique opportunities for socialization.
Individual and Family Therapy
An additional way to help the family experiencing stress from having a child with Autism in their home is through family therapy. Family therapy sessions provide the parents, as well as siblings in the home, with the opportunity to share their joys and frustrations with a validating and neutral person. The therapist works with families in communicating their thoughts and feelings. The therapist also provides guidance on self care and teaches coping skills to decrease the stress level in the home.
Early Childhood Behavior Support
Early Childhood services are available for children and their families to support them through early life struggles and behaviors that may be affecting the childcare setting, school and home environments. These services emphasize teaching children how to express themselves in positive, healthy ways and supporting parents in guiding their children down this path of growth. A wide range of services can be provided to assist parents and families, including parent education and support, in-home/in-school behavior coaching, positive behavior support training, individual therapy (with play therapy components), family therapy and sibling support. Behavior coaching may include creating chore charts, utilizing behavior plans, various behavior modification techniques, parenting skills, functional behavior analysis, and reinforcement tools.