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Child and adolescent Services
The Eveylyn Frye Center provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluation and treatment services for children and adolescents experiencing difficulties in their home and/or school environments.
The Center is staffed by professionals with specialized training in child and adolescent development who access the youth's problems. Following that assessment, the staff serves as a supportive intermediary between the youth and parent, and the school personnel to achieve a program of positive behavior change.
The Center provides for services for children and adolescents who are experiencing:
| Anxiety, Tics, Worry or Phobias |
Bedwetting |
| Depression or Moosd Swings |
Low Self-Esteem |
| Difficulty Completing Tasks |
Trauma |
| Problems with Peers and Siblings |
Hyperactivity |
| Attention and Concentration Problems |
Disruptive Behavior |
| Sexual, Physical or Emotional Abuse |
Divorce Adjustment |
| Chemical Dependency Problems |
Oppostional Behavior |
| Stress-Related Health Problems |
Eating Disorders |
| Shy or Withdrawn Behavior |
Temper Tantrums |
| Poor School Performance |
Grief / Bereavement |
Identifying the problem
The evaluation process begins during the first session and is designed to identify the nature of the youth's academic and/or behavioral problems. There may be situations in which testing is necessary to clarify the diagnostic picture. Any one or all of the following services may be utilized in this process:
| Psychological Testing |
Drug & Alcohol Evaluation |
| ADHD screening |
Neuropsychological Testing |
| Intelligence Testing |
Review of School Records |
| Career Interest Testing |
Parent Interviews & Questionnaires |
| Personality Traits |
Teach Interviews & Questionnaires |
Treating the problem
After the evaluation has been completed, the professionals at the Center develop an individualized behavior change program for your child or adolescent, which may include any of the following:
| Individual Counseling |
Parent Training in Child Management |
| Group Counseling |
Stress Management Training |
| Family Counseling |
Biofeedback Training |
| Anger Management Training |
Hypnotherapty |
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To insure that your child receives exemplary service your child's evaluator and/or therapist has the opportunity to collaborate with other members of our clinical staff. When indicated, the therapist may suggest that your child be referred to a member of our psychiatric staff to see if medication could be helpful.
If needed, our staff will work closely with your child's teachers and physicians to develop and implement a treatment plan designed to assist your child to reach their specific goals.
The Center also provides liaison services for children requiring special education placement.
Evaluation, treatment, intervention and referral services are available for children and adolescents sho are high risk for developing chemical dependency.
Parents frequently have many questions about how Play Therapy can help their child. The following description is provided to answer most of your questions.
Questions frequently asked about play therapy
What Is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a method of psychotherapy in which a child's fantasies and the symbolic meanings of his/her play are used by the clinician to understand and communicate with the child. As the child plays, the clinician recognizes themes and patterns that are expressed in the child's play. Children communicate their thoughts and feelings through play more naturally than they do through verbal communication
What Can Be Accomplished With Play Therapy?
The primary goal of play therapy is to decrease behavioral and emotional difficulties that interfere with a child's optimal functioning. Other goals include
- improved communication and understanding between the child and his parents.
- improved verbal expression
- improved self awareness
- improved impulse control
- improved coping skills
- reduced symptoms
- improved capacity to trust adn to relate to others
What Problems Can Be Treated With Play Therapy?
Play Therapy has been used to treat many problems which interfere with a child's normal development. Such problems include, but are not limited to, temper tantrums, agressive behavior, non-medical problems with bowel or bladder control, sleep difficulties, nightmares, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsives behaviors, fears and worries. Play therapy is also used with children who have experienced sexual, emotional or physical abuse, neglect, and any kind of loss.
What Happens During Play Therapy?
The child explores the playroom freely, engaging in spontaneous play. He/she may also involve him/herself in specific activities, such as drawing family scenes, using puppets. Using a sand tray, telling stories or playing specially designed therapeuti board games. Other times the child will be directed in activities the therapist has planned.
How Does Play Therapy Effect Change?
Play is a natural medium for children to express feelings, solve problems and build skills. Children's play can uncover their internal conflicts, bring to light negative communication patterns in families, and help children discover new problem-solving techniques and strategies.
How Long Will My Child Have To Be In Therapy?
The length of time a child participates in play therapy varies with each child. It depends upon the severity of the problem, the child's personality, and how the child percieved the problem.
Can I Watch My Child's Play Therapy Session?
A counselor who works with adults keeps the information discussed in sessions confidential. Likewise, your child's therapist will keep the information from your child's sessions confidential (exceptions apply). However, the therapist will meet with you periodically:
- to discuss the themes and aptterns that emerge from your child's play;
- to hear your concerns and
- to talk about any questions you may have related to your child's progress in play therapy.
Why Is The Therapeutic Relationship So Important?
The therapeutic relationship is necessary for creating a place of safety where the child feels comfortable, safe and understood. This type of trusting environment makes it easier for the child to express his/her thoughts and feelings and to use the therapyt constructively. It is also crucial that the child knows his/her parents are supporting the process.
Will My Child Need To Take Medication To Improve?
When necessary, children in play therapy also participate in other types of treatment. For instance, youngsters who are unable to control their attention, impulses, violent behavior, or who experience severe anxiety may take medication for these symptoms while participating in play therapy. The play therapy addresses the child's underlying issues which are manifested as psychological and/or behavioral symptoms.
What Can I Do To Help?
- Support and respect your child's therapeutic process.
- Be consistent and encouraging to your child about attending sessions regularly.
- Resist the urge to ask your child what they did, as this may put pressure on them to comment on something they may have difficulty understanding themselves.
- Please don't ask your child to "be good" or check to see if they were well-behaved. Therapy is not about "being good". The child must feel free to express "bad feelings" in an uncensored way.
- Don't insist that your child tell certain things: it is their time and they must feel free to express themselves at their own pace. Instead, express your concerns to the therapist privately.
- During any therapeutic intervention, behavior may appear to get worse before it gets better; please tell the therapist when you have concerns.
Please feel free to ask your child's therapist any questions througout the process.
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