Individual Therapy for Children

Brief Integrated Primary Care combines medical and behavioral health services to more fully address the spectrum of problems that clients face. This approach allows clients to feel that for any problem they bring, they have come to the right place. By teaming mental health and medical providers, we reunify the practice of treating mind and body as one, which has been addressed in separate medical worlds for too long.

PCIT is an interactive way for parents and children to learn child management skills and to create a stronger connection to their child.

Children are born with different temperaments; some are easy going and some have more difficulty adjusting to the rhythms of everyday life. Parents may find that their common sense child-rearing practices that may have worked with one child with an easy temperament may not work with another child with behavior problems. It can be extremely stressful when a child is deliberately defiant, throws tantrums, starts fights, annoys others or exhibits any number of other disruptive behaviors. The result is often increased frustration and tension between parent and child. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) aims to improve the parent-child relationship and the child’s behavior by working with both parents and children together.

PCIT gives equal attention to children and their parents. Unlike most therapies in which skills are taught in the office and then the family goes home to practice, with PCIT the practice with the child is done in the presence of the therapist. Through a one-way mirror and a transmitter worn in the parent’s ear, the therapist gives live, ongoing coaching, advice and encouragement while the parent interacts with the child. Sessions are held weekly for approximately 14-18 weeks.

EMDR is a best practice model for the treatment of either a single event trauma (example, car accident, robbery, etc) or complex trauma (early childhood trauma, combat trauma, multiple layers of trauma, etc.) EMDR therapy is an integrative approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma.Unlike other treatments that focus on directly altering the emotions, thoughts and responses resulting from traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy focuses directly on the memory, and is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) treats problems and boosts happiness by modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. Unlike traditional therapy, which probes at childhood wounds to get at the root causes of conflict, CBT focuses on solutions, encouraging patients to challenge distorted cognitions and change destructive patterns of behavior. It is often used for issues related to depression, anxiety, etc. because it provides a reduction in overall symptoms for clients.

As its name implies is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that addresses the specific emotional and mental health needs of children, adolescents, adult survivors, and families who are struggling to overcome the destructive effects of early trauma. It is especially sensitive to the unique problems of youth with post-traumatic stress and mood disorders resulting from abuse, violence, or grief. Anyone who has experienced a single or repeated experience of sexual, physical, or mental abuse or who has developed post-traumatic symptoms, depression or anxiety as a result of the loss of a loved one or exposure to violence in the home or community can benefit from TF-CBT.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is supported by research as a program that can help people who have severe difficulties in living a happy and meaningful life. DBT was developed to treat those with the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. However, DBT can benefit others who have intense life-interfering behaviors associated with other diagnoses. If you or someone you care about has frequent hospitalizations, self-harming behaviors, extreme emotional dysregulation, significant problems in relationships, or impulsive behaviors that are driven by emotions, DBT may be a treatment of significant benefit. DBT teaches specific skills to increase ability to regulate emotions, enhance ability to tolerate distress, and improve effectiveness in dealing with others. DBT doesn’t just point out one’s problems: DBT provides practical solutions that can be learned and used with help from the treatment team.

Burrell’s Missouri state-registered DBT consultation team provides a comprehensive program to meet the needs of participants. Members of the consultation team meet weekly and regularly engage in training to gain and maintain skills to best help clients succeed in DBT and in their lives after DBT. Clients progress through a program is of 12 months duration. This includes weekly attendance at a DBT skills group, in which participants learn the skills to improve their lives. DBT participants also attend a weekly individual therapy session with a DBT-trained therapist to assist in applying those skills to their unique needs and circumstances. Skills groups are held at Burrell’s Transitions facility. Those engaged in DBT complete “diary cards” every day to keep track of the DBT skills they use and how those skills are helping them in their daily lives. In addition, DBT therapists act as “coaches” who accept calls at any time to coach clients in using DBT skills to solve their real-world problems. Graduation from DBT is an exciting milestone that comes at the end of approximately one year.

Eligibility: New participants are selected based on their potential to benefit from DBT and their willingness to attend skills group and individual therapy, make coaching calls, and practice the skills they are learning in their day-to-day lives. New participants engage in a formal orientation process to help them make sure DBT is a good choice for them. New members are added to the skills groups approximately every three to four months, at the beginning of each of three skills training modules.

Brain injury and nervous system disorders can occur early or late in life, causing unique behavioral challenges. Our neuropsychologists use specialized knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with neurological, medical, or nervous system disorders across the lifespan. Neuropsychological interventions are increasingly recognized as an essential component of care for brain-injured clients. This type of therapy treats individuals with injuries and disorders such as:

• Dementia
• Vascular Disorder
• Parkinson's Disease
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Seizure Disorders
• Learning Disabilities
• Metabolic Disease
• ADHD
• Infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Stroke

Can help children ages 3-5 who:

• Continually have trouble accepting adult authority
• Are often sad and withdrawn
• Have suffered significant loss, abuse or neglect
• Are aggressive and controlling
• Have profound difficulty relating and communicating
• Maintain an unusually high activity level and can’t focus attention
• Have excessive anxieties and fears

And parents who say:

“I’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work with her!”
“He never sits still! I can’t get him to pay attention long enough to do anything.”
“He doesn’t play like other kids do. It seems like he’s in his own little world.”
“She’s so demanding! I have to be with her every minute or she whines and cries.”
“He’s out of control. I’m afraid he’ll hurt somebody when he starts hitting and throwing things.”

Children’s Day Treatment is designed to meet the mental health and developmental needs of children between the ages of 3 and 5 who are exhibiting problematic behaviors.

Children will:

• Gain self-awareness and self-esteem
• Improve behavioral control
• Increase social competence
• Learn concepts and skills needed for school success

Parents learn:

• Behavior management skills
• Ways to provide increased emotional support for their children

Children’s Day Treatment meets Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Children participate in structured play time; group activities; and creative activities such as art, music, drama, and movement. Children also receive instruction on pre-academic concepts and skills.

We offer a weekly parent support group focused on the stages of social and emotional development of young children and parenting techniques. Parents also receive helpful support from others facing similar challenges.

Our specialized programming is designed to increase your child’s self esteem and social competence, foster the development of academic skills, improve your child’s communication with other children and adults, as well as assist you in managing troubling behaviors. Children’s Day Treatment professionally trained staff will work with your child’s therapist to develop behavior management plans and explore ways to improve family relationships. They are also available to provide consultation with your child’s daycare and/or school as needed.

Interested in learning more about Children’s Day Treatment? A 60-minute parent interview with one of our professional staff will determine if your child meets the criteria for this program and will benefit from day treatment services.

We accept most insurance and Medicaid. Other convenient payment options are available.