How We Treat

INITIAL EVALUATION at ASANTE provides an integrative, evidence-based, highly individualized approach to treating various mental health conditions.

CARE BEGINS with an intensive biopsychosocial evaluation (taking into account biological, psychological, and social contributing factors) by a licensed clinician. We then formulate a comprehensive treatment plan revisited regularly by the treatment team and active input from the client.

WE PROVIDE treatment for individuals who need more support than routine outpatient care or are stepping down from a hospital or other types of residential treatment settings. Our clinical team, comprised of specialized and licensed clinicians, is highly qualified to treat various mood and anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions that impair an individual’s ability to live a quality life.

WHAT WE TREAT

Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
Complicated Grief & Loss Treatment
Dual Diagnosis
Major Depressive Disorders
Mood Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Personality Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Psychotic Disorders
Suicidality

OUR TREATMENT APPROACH is biopsychosocial based and focused on functional recovery. We go beyond symptom recovery to ensure each client leaves treatment with an improved quality of life aligned with their core values and goals.

CRITICAL ASPECTS OF TREATMENT include medication referral when indicated, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and other integrative aspects of care such as exercise, nutrition, recreation, and journaling. Treatment is highly specialized to each individual’s needs and evolves as treatment progresses and client needs change.

OUR CLINICIANS are trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities such as:

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• EMDR
• Cognitive Processing Therapy
• Exposure Response Prevention for OCD
• Mindfulness

HOW WE TREAT:

There are several styles of and approaches to psychotherapy. The section will outline these in more detail.

: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
: Family Therapy
: Group Therapy
: Individual Therapy
: In-Home Services/Visitation
: Marital/Couples Therapy
: Play Therapy
: Psychodynamic Therapy
: Psycho-Educational Classes
: Psychotherapy/Counseling and Testing
: Relationship Therapy
: Telehealth Therapy
: Aging Adults
: Support Groups

COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people understand and change how their thoughts and behaviors affect their feelings and actions.
CBT can help people with many issues, including:

• depression
• anxiety
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• eating disorders
• low self-esteem
• Interpersonal therapy

Under this approach, a person learns new ways to communicate or express their feelings. It can help with building and maintaining healthy relationships.
For example, if someone responds to feeling neglected by getting angry, this may trigger others’ adverse reactions. This can lead to depression and isolation.
The individual will learn to understand and modify their approach to interpersonal problems and acquire ways of managing them more constructively

FAMILY THERAPY

Family therapy can provide a safe space for family members to:

• express their views
• explore difficult feelings
• understand each other
• build on existing strengths
• find solutions to problems

This form of psychotherapy can be helpful when problems stem from family relationships or when a child or young person faces difficulties.
There is evidence to suggest that family therapy may help adolescents with mental health problems. It may also improve family cohesion and enhance parenting skills.
Family therapy is composed of the individual alone or the individual and their family. Family therapy focuses on the family unit and is conducted by Licensed and or Masters level practitioners. Family therapy involves assessment of the family situation, and tools are provided

GROUP THERAPY

Group Therapy is composed of 3-8 individuals who share commonalities in dealing with specific life stressors. In group therapy, the interactions between the members of the group and the Clinician become the material with which the treatment is conducted, alongside past experiences and experiences outside the group. Participants explore issues in a social context that more accurately reflect real life; participants have an opportunity to benefit through active participation and observation; participants benefit by working through personal issues in a supportive, confidential environment and helping each other work through their problems. Each group is facilitated by a Licensed and or Master’s Level Clinician. Group topics may include but are not limited to:

• Parent Support Group
• Expressive Art Therapy Techniques
• Play Therapy Group
• Adolescent Talk Therapy Group
• Anger management
• Changing families
• Bereavement
• Socialization
• Chronic illness

Group therapy sessions usually involve one therapist and around 5–15 participants with similar concerns, such as:

• depression
• chronic pain
• substance misuse

The group will usually meet for 1 or 2 hours each week, and individuals may also attend one-on-one therapy. Participants can benefit from interacting with the therapist and interacting with others who are experiencing similar challenges. Group members can also support each other.
Although participating in a group may seem intimidating, it can help people realize that they are not alone with their problems.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

Individual therapy (psychotherapy/counseling”) is a process through which the client works one-on-one with a licensed Clinician in a safe, caring, supportive, and confidential environment; to explore their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values, or behaviors and work through challenging or disturbing memories, identify parts of their lives that they would like to enhance, change, improve, gain a better understanding of themselves and others, set personal goals, and work toward the desired change.

To achieve the identified goal, the client and Clinician work together for as few as six (6) weeks or longer. The average lengths of sessions are between twelve (12) and twenty-four (24) weeks, depending on the situation and the rate of progress. In some cases, group counseling may be the next step in treatment as determined. Continued treatment or life coaching is routine for clients seeking self-growth and actualization.

IN-HOME SERVICES/VISITATION

One or more team members deliver in-home therapeutic services. The team consists of professional and paraprofessional staff, offering medically necessary in-home therapeutic training and support. The main focus of in-home therapy services is to improve the client’s mental health issues and strengthen the family structures and supports. In-Home Therapy Services are distinguished from traditional therapy in that services are delivered in the home and community; services include 24/7 urgent response capability on the part of the provider; the frequency and duration of a given session match one needs and is not time-limited; scheduling is flexible; services are expected to include the identification of natural supports and include coordination of care.

In-Home Therapy is situational due to them working with the youth and family in their home environment, fostering understanding of the family dynamics, and teaching strategies to address stressors as they arise.

In-Home Therapy promotes a structured, consistent, strength-based therapeutic relationship between a licensed clinician and the client. The goal is to focus the treatment on the client’s behavioral health needs, which may improve the family’s ability to provide adequate support to promote their healthy functioning within the family. Interventions are designed to enhance and improve the family’s capacity to enhance the client’s functioning in the home and community, preventing the need for admission to an inpatient hospital, psychiatric residential treatment facility, or another treatment setting.

The In-Home-Therapy team (comprised of the qualified practitioner(s), family, and youth) develop a treatment plan using established techniques, intensive family therapy, and seeking to work with the entire family or a subset of the family to implement behavioral strategies to enhance problem-solving, limit-setting, risk management, communication, and skills to strengthen the individual/family. Treatment targeted goals to improve ineffective patterns of interaction; identify and utilize community resources; develop and maintain natural supports for the youth and parent/caregiver(s) to promote the sustainability of treatment gains. Phone contact and consultation are provided as a part of the intervention.

MARITAL/COUPLES THERAPY

Marital/Couples therapy is a process through which a couple (who may be engaged, dating, married, partnered, or sometimes even parent and child or other pairings) works with a trained Clinician to identify specific areas of conflict and aspects of their relationship they would like to change, and then develop a plan of action to improve each individual’s satisfaction and contentment. The Clinician and client work in a safe and confidential setting. Couples can explore how their backgrounds, beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors may impact their relationship positively and negatively. The Clinician may assist the team with addressing any immediate and pressing problems and developing strategies for protecting and enhancing the long-term health and happiness of their relationship.

PLAY THERAPY

Child Play Therapy is based upon the fact that play is the child’s natural medium of self-expression. Our Clinicians s use this opportunity to give the child the opportunity to “play out” their feelings and problems. Therapy is offered for children between the ages (3-12) and is used to develop social skills, self-esteem, self-expression and assist with psychosocial and adjustment difficulties. However, play therapy can be used with a person of any age, especially an adult with cognitive and social deficits.
ASANTE Family Agency offers both individual and group play therapy for children and their parent(s). The Clinician facilitates the play sessions based on the Child-Centered Play Therapy model, which supports the emotional and developmental growth of the child and helps to strengthen and nurture the parent/child relationship. Play therapy helps children:

• Improve problematic behaviors
• 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 the thoughts and feelings of others
• Learn new social skills and relational skills with family
• Develop self-efficacy and thus a better assuredness about their abilities
• Adjusting to family changes such as separation and divorce
• Bullying
• Aggression & acting out
• Attention Deficit Disorder & Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
• Abuse & neglect
• Social adjustment issues
• Sleeping and eating difficulties
• Self-concept & self-esteem

PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY

Psychodynamic therapy addresses how past experiences, such as childhood, can impact people’s current thoughts and behaviors. Often, the person is unaware that this influence is even present.
Identifying these influences can help people understand the source of feelings such as distress and anxiety. Once they identify these sources, the psychotherapist can help the person address them. This can help an individual feel more in control of their life.
It is similar to psychoanalysis but less intense

PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL CLASSES

How we treat:
: Anger Management Classes (12 & 52 Weeks)
: Child Endangerment/Child Abuse Prevention
: Domestic Violence Classes (12 & 52 Weeks)
: Life Coaching for Personal Growth
: Like Skills Classes
: Parenting Classes

PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING AND EVALUATION

Tests and assessments are two separate but related components of a psychological evaluation. Psychological tests and assessments allow a psychologist to understand the nature of the problem and figure out the best way to address it. Psychologists use both types of tools to help them arrive at a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

When more in-depth understanding is needed, ASANTE psychologists utilize psychological tests to assess client strengths, personality traits, intellectual and cognitive abilities, emotional problems, and relationship patterns. Like a medical doctor who evaluates their patient’s physical wellbeing by asking specific questions and completing tests, a psychological assessment is a process through which a psychologist considers a client’s psychological, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing through open dialogue and formal testing. The assessment process may involve one or both of the following:

• A series of face-to-face interviews during which the psychology professional meets with the client (and sometimes their family members) to better understand the client’s emotions, behaviors, thoughts, coping strategies for dealing with life’s challenges, and personal strengths.
• Psychology professionals can use one or more standardized tests (both verbal and written) to gain more objective and data-driven insights regarding a client’s overall wellbeing.

With this information, the psychology professional can appropriately diagnose, identify individual functioning, and work with the client and their family to set goals and develop an appropriate plan for positive change.

RELATIONSHIP THERAPY

Relationship therapy is another type of psychotherapy. It is very similar to family therapy, but a person may wish to present to treatment with their partner to address issues within a relationship.

TELEHEALTH THERAPY

Many people are now opting for telehealth therapy. This can have many benefits, especially for someone who:

• has mobility problems
• cannot find a suitable specialist in their area
• has difficulty fitting treatment into their schedule
• does not feel comfortable with face-to-face communication

Tools include video meetings and messaging services.
Although telehealth services have helped “normalize” psychotherapy, making it easier to integrate into daily life, a person should check carefully before choosing a provider.

For example, they should consider:

• the qualifications and experience of the therapist
• the online and other security measures the provider has in place
• using a company that psychologists run and that has links with professional associations

AGING ADULTS

Therapy for elderly clients may assist older adults who may have difficulties with the transitions of aging, managing their emotions, continuing to find meaning and purpose in life, having a sense of a life well-lived, and finding new support systems. Some may be fearful of death and have become overwhelmed by their anxiety. Furthermore, older adults may need assistance in processing grief and Loss over the passing of friends and family.

ASANTE Family Agency offers individual counseling for older adults by licensed Clinicians s who know geriatric therapy. Therapy for the elderly addresses and includes but is not limited to the following:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Loss and Grief
• Coping with Illness
• Relationship Problems
• Adjustment Disorder
• Mood Disorder
• Worthlessness
• Generativity versus Stagnation
• Ego Integrity vs. Despair
• Recurrent Agitation
• Unresolved Conflicts Causing Stress

SUPPORT GROUPS

Caring for loved ones frequently brings caregivers a great sense of joy, pride, accomplishment and brings both individuals into a closer relationship; however, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. The level of stress and challenge depends on both the physical, mental and socio-economic status of both the caregiver and loved one. It is not unusual for caregivers to feel anger, frustration, anxiety, shame, and guilt for those feelings.

One of the most devastating effects of the demands of caregiving, however, is depression. It has been estimated that nearly twenty percent of family caregivers suffer from some form of depression. Over forty percent of caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients suffer from mild to moderate stages of depression during and after extended periods of care.

ASANTE Family Agency provides supportive services to prevent and intervene in the distress of being a caregiver. Having a professional who the caregiver can confide in about emotions or frustration often helps prevent and reduce depression and feelings of confinement in many caregivers. The responsibilities of caring for a family member, especially one suffering from various stages of Alzheimer’s, can feel like a jail sentence to many. This has nothing to do with how much someone loves or respects the relationship or how close someone is to a particular family member, but with the constant and needy demands of those suffering from it.

ASANTE Family Agency offers individual and family counseling by a licensed Clinician or master-level Clinician intern. The sessions may include one-on-one discussions with the caregiver or other family members and friends. Skilled Clinicians s can elicit insight and enhance communication between family members in all types of caregiving situations.