Psychology & Behavioral Services
Psychiatry
A psychiatrist assesses a consumer's mental and somatic condition by interviewing and often obtaining information collated from other sources such as other health and social care professionals, relatives, associates, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel and psychiatric rating scales. Psychopharmacology intervention is utilized and follow-up visits are scheduled in conjunction with the Aaron Center treatment teams. The psychiatrist is responsible for overseeing clinical evaluations, treatment plans and progress of each consumer receiving mental health services.
Psychology/Counseling
Psychological assessment involves psychological testing and also includes a clinical interview, clinical observation, interpretation of test results, review of documents, conclusion, diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. The type and number of psychological tests employed, the clinical interview format and the focus of the psychological assessment is determined by the referral source. For example, the questions to be answered and information desired will be quite different when the referral for assessment is made by the criminal/civil court (forensic), school personnel (scholastic), early career counselors (aptitude/career), parents/caregivers/family (behavioral health) or business and industry (personnel/ability/performance enhancement).
Psycho-educational assessment can be performed children currently struggling in school as well as for adult clients who feel they are not performing to their potential on standardized tests as a result of focusing problems (ADHD) or a learning disability. Intelligent and successful individuals often feel their future may be limited because they are unable to perform well on standardized tests and comprehensive assessment can be conducted and recommendations may be offered that may help the client score significantly higher on these standardized measures.
Psychological therapeutic interventions are always geared and focused on being short-term with results realized within a few sessions. This approach can have a powerful influence on clients, helping them achieve their goals and realize their potential in all areas of living. These services are available for children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples
Social Work
Social work services include conducting interviews with consumers and their families to assess and review their situation; offering information and counseling support to service users and their families; organizing and managing packages of support to enable service users to lead the fullest lives possible; recommending and the best course of action for a particular consumer; liaising with, and making referrals to, other agencies; participating in multidisciplinary teams and meetings, for example child protection, mental health; maintaining accurate records and preparing reports for legal action when necessary; giving evidence in court, participating in training, supervision and team meetings.
Behavioral Specialist Consultant Services will be provided to children who have been diagnosed with emotional, behavioral and social issues that are impacting upon their overall inclusion in school, home and community activities. The ultimate goal of this program is to enhance relationships by exposing a child to situations that are real life and functional so that they can learn to apply skills repetitively in multiple settings. Children will learn how to practice these skills at community clubs such as the Boys and Girls club, YMCA, public libraries, boy scouts, and girl scouts; county funded community camps and programs, and other community outings that a child and family may encounter that involve choices and decision making skills that are treatment plan specific. This program will enhance problem solving, decision making, coping skills, and other interpersonal skills. The Behavioral Specialist will participate in Interagency Meetings with the child, family, significant caregivers, educational personnel, and other members of the community and treatment team as needed. If collaboration is difficult due to scheduling conflicts, telephone contact will be utilized during the meeting so that appropriate input provided and recorded. Behavioral Specialist Consultant Services
(Service not yet available in all counties)
Mobile Therapy
(Service not yet available in all counties)
Mobile Therapy will be provided to children who have been diagnosed with emotional, behavioral and social issues that are impacting upon their overall inclusion in school, home and community activities. The goal of this program is to enhance relationships by exposing a child to situations that are real life and functional so that they can learn to apply skills repetitively in multiple settings.
Children will learn how to practice these skills at community clubs such as the Boys and Girls club, YMCA, public libraries, boy scouts, and girl scouts; county funded community camps and programs, and other community outings that a child and family may encounter that involve choices and decision making skills that are treatment plan specific. This program will enhance problem solving, decision making, coping skills, and other interpersonal skills. The Mobile Therapist will conduct Interagency Meetings with the child, family, significant caregivers, educational personnel, and other members of the community as needed. If collaboration is difficult due to scheduling conflicts, telephone contact will be utilized during the meeting so that appropriate input provided and recorded.
Therapeutic Support Services (Service
not yet available in all counties)
The ultimate goal of this program is to enhance relationships by exposing a child to situations that are real life and functional so that they can learn and apply skills repetitively in multiple settings. Children will learn how to practice these skills at community clubs such as the Boys and Girls club, YMCA, public libraries, boy scouts, and girl scouts; county funded community camps and programs, and other community outings that a child and family may encounter that involve choices and decision making skills that are treatment plan specific. This program will enhance problem solving, decision making, coping skills, and other interpersonal skills. The Therapeutic Staff Support Worker will participate in the Interagency Meetings with the child, family, significant caregivers, educational personnel, behavioral health team members such as Behavioral Consultants, and Mobile Therapists and other members of the community as needed.
