TYPES OF THERAPY

Play therapy is a therapeutic process that provides children with a safe, protected place to begin emotional healing from stressful events, such as abuse, neglect, a family death or physical illness. The child or adolescent is assessed to determine how they experience the world, communicate and react to events and people. Play therapy can help children and adolescents:

• Become more responsible for behaviors and develop more successful strategies.
• Develop new and creative solutions to problems.
• Develop respect and acceptance of self and others.
• Learn to experience and express emotion.
• Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others.
• Learn new social skills and relational skills with family.
• Develop self-efficacy and thus feel better about their abilities.

CBT is a common type of “talk therapy” that is used to treat a wide range of mental and emotional challenges. It is used to help clients resolve problems using concepts and techniques from behaviorism, social learning, and task-centered treatment in order to view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. This process is used to help clients gain insight and focus on the here and now, and specific goals in a generally short timeframe.  Therapists will encourage their clients to talk about their thoughts, feelings and overall what is troubling them.

CBT is a very helpful tool in treating mental health disorders and behaviors, such as:

• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Eating and sleep disorders
• Overwhelming amount of stress and/or anxiety

At the end of treatment, the patient will have noticed a decrease in symptoms that used to hinder them from participating and functioning in daily activities.  

DBT is an evidence-based therapy to treat individuals who meet criteria for borderline personality disorder, and suffer from life-threatening and/or quality of life-threatening behaviors, including:

• Suicidal thoughts and/or actions
• Self-harm
• Impulsive self-destructive behaviors
• Violent interpersonal relationships
• Unemployment
• Homelessness
• Extreme poverty

DBT is often used with individuals who have seen little-to-no improvement with other forms of therapy. DBT can be done on a one-on-one or group basis. The format is determined early on in the intervention process by the mental health professional.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy is used when clients have experienced traumatic events that are affecting their ability to function normally on a daily basis. Patients often show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). TFCBT addresses development factors, family systems, cultural values and diverse background. This type of therapy is designed to:

• Reduce negative emotional and behavioral responses to the trauma.
• Correct unstable beliefs and attributions related to the traumatic experience(s).
• Provide support and skills to help non-offending caregivers cope effectively with their own emotional distress.
• Provide non-offending caregivers the skills to respond optimally to and support the child.

At the end of treatment, the patient will be able to cope with reminders and associated emotions, show reduction in depression, anxiety, disassociation, behavior problems and trauma-related shame, as well as develop improved personal safety skills.

Functional Family Therapy is a well-documented family intervention service for youth ages 11 to 18 and their families, including youth with conduct disorders, violent acting out, and substance abuse. Together, the family practices open communication to strengthen relationships and reduce negativity, blaming and hopelessness. Our Intensive Family Counseling is the only certified FFT program site in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

What should I expect?

• Weekly one-hour session for 12 – 14 weeks
• Phase 1: Engagement and Motivation
• • Each family member completes and initial assessment
• Phase 2: Behavior Change:
• • Family will work together to develop and implement individualized change plans
• Phase 3: Generalization
• • Your therapist will focus on specific interventions that your family should continue to practice. He/she will also provide resources for on-going support, such as narcotics anonymous or alcoholics anonymous.
• 60-day follow up after discharge

Upon completion, your family will have stronger communication skills, effective parenting responses to inappropriate behaviors and a strategy for managing other challenges that may occur in the future.

PACT is a service that provides in-home crisis services to children, families and individuals struggling with mental illness. It is designed to preserve the child’s and family’s integrity and prevent costly and frightening hospitalization and out-of-home placement.

What should I expect?

• Initial evaluation and assessment
• A crisis intervention and stabilization plan
• Cognitive and behavioral therapy
• Skills training
• Follow-up plan

Upon completion, families will have the skills and support they need to successfully manage a future mental health crisis. This program is offered through a select few insurance companies. Contact your insurance provider to see if you’re eligible.