Addiction & Codependency Program

(Target Age Group: Adults 18 & up)

Services are for anyone experiencing addiction in any form (substance abuse, gambling, internet addiction, food etc…). Codependency services for anyone in a relationship with an addicted person.

To restore a full life and freedom from the compulsive addictive behaviors that have affected the addicted person’s relationships, work and or school performance.

Our Addiction & Codependency program is designed to assist individuals with any one of the following addictive disorders:

Alcohol and Drugs Codependency Cross Addictions:

  • Nicotine
  • Overeating (binging/restricting)
  • Gambling
  • Shopping/Spending
  • Internet

Components of the Program:

  1. Individual Therapy
  2. Addiction Focused Group
  3. Codependency Focused Group
  4. Multifamily Group

Addiction is a family disease where everyone has a maladaptive role to play. Individuals who suffer with Substance Use Disorders &/or cross addictions, often are able to maintain abstinence but do not know how to live sober, productive lives beyond putting down their physical/inner ‘drug’ of choice.

During the process of recovery from Addiction, the other members of the household are typically infected with the disease of Codependency as well. Although these individuals do not necessarily become Addicts/Alcoholics themselves, they take on other compulsive behaviors and struggle with enabling and rigid control. As they develop, they continue to engage in enmeshed, dysfunctional relationships with emotionally unavailable people due to their fear of abandonment. Though familial addiction and dysfunction is a very common cause, Codependency can also develop without the presence of addiction.

By providing a non-judgmental environment with a clinician who specializes in Addiction & Codependency, all individuals effected either personally or vicariously will be able to develop the tools necessary to live in recovery, experience freedom from self-defeating behaviors and last but not least, learn how to form and maintain meaningful and loving relationships.

ADHD Program

(Target Age Group: Clients 5 & up and Teens)

Children or adults who have difficulty maintaining attention during tasks, maintaining an appropriate level of self-control of both their physical movements and their emotional expression, managing their time effectively to complete tasks and minimizing several other behavioral issues often seen when a person has ADD or ADHD.

Parents of children with ADHD and children and adults with ADHD will be helped with a number of issues. These include a thorough evaluation to make certain that ADD or ADHD is an appropriate diagnosis, education about the cause(s) of ADHD and also differentiation of effective from ineffective forms of treatment. Treatment can include being taught techniques to improve organization and memory, medication, if desired, provided by the appropriate staff person, social skills training in an adult’s individual treatment or group treatment for the child and also help for the person with ADHD to change the often seen negative selfimage that they have developed. Parents of children with ADHD will be taught effective management techniques for helping their children to behave appropriately and to increase their responsibility.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobiological, developmental disorder of self-control. It is estimated that genetic predisposition is a contributing factor in 60 to 80 % of ADHD cases. In these cases ADHD is present from birth but the symptoms do not appear for several years. Other rarer causes include one or more environmental factors as the major contributor or contributors. At younger ages, hyperactivity is the most commonly observed symptom. Inattentiveness and problems with organization are not usually seen for several more years, when environmental demands increase or symptoms overwhelm a person’s ability to cope.

Four to 5 % of adults have ADHD. Thus there are more than 11 million adults in the U.S with ADHD. 98% of adults with ADHD have the onset of their symptoms before age 16. The disorder is found in all countries and ethnic groups. It is found in all social classes. It is somewhat more common in urban and population-dense regions than in suburban or rural settings.

The interview for considering the diagnosis of ADHD at Specialized Therapy Associates consists of:

  • An interview with the patient, or parent(s) of the patient, to discuss present and past symptoms and impairments that might indicate ADHD
  • A review of any available previous records to obtain information about the person’s prior functioning
  • Psychological testing to rule out general cognitive delay or learning disability. The continuous performance test can be used to give an assessment of the person’s ability to maintain focus on a task
  • Possible information obtained from others in the adult patient’s life to corroborate the information given by the patient
  • A referral for a general medical examination when medication might be part of the treatment or if coexisting medical conditions need to be evaluated

The treatment of a person with ADHD is done at STA in a holistic manner that addresses issues of the mind and the body. The results of the evaluation are utilized by the clinician to help the patient/parents of the patient better understand the possible causes and effects of the symptoms and the patient’s emotional reactions to the difficulties generated by these symptoms. Cognitive –behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy and parent training are used to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of the symptoms. The patient is helped physically by being given advice to improve their health, nutrition and exercise. The appropriate staff member can prescribe pharmaceutical and natural remedies if it appears reasonable to engage in a trial of medication. Other behavioral and emotional difficulties can be addressed as problems separate from ADHD or as they impact the ADHD symptoms. Children can also be referred to the social skills training group at STA.

Through the combination of these approaches, the treatment providers at STA hope to achieve the positive outcomes of improving the patient’s lifestyle by helping them be more organized, concentrate better on tasks at school or work, manage their energy more effectively to increase their self-control and improve their interpersonal relationships.

Anxiety Disorders Program & Group

(Target Age Group: Adults 18 & up)

Those suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder (or Social Phobia), Specific Phobia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other forms of anxiety and stress.

Through this program and group, the client will benefit through gaining knowledge about anxiety conditions, self-management techniques, knowledge on how automatic thoughts, unconscious rules/beliefs and thinking styles contribute to anxiety, goal setting and follow-through, positive coping strategies to replace negative coping strategies, and ultimately gain the ability to manage the symptoms of anxiety in a healthy, positive, and productive manner.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Group

(Target Age Group: Adults 18 & up preferred)

These skills were originally designed to address symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD); however, anybody who suffers from overwhelming emotions can benefit from being a part of this group. People who suffer from depression, anxiety and grief have all benefited from DBT skills.

Research has reinforced that DBT empowers patients to handle distress without losing control or acting in a destructive manner. By participating in the DBT skills group, patients will learn how to apply mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and emotional regulation techniques to achieve freedom from emotional pain.

Children from Divorced Families Group

(Target Age Group: Children, Ages 6 to 13)

School age and preteens who are experiencing a change in the family structure due to parental separation or divorce.

This group is intended to define the meaning of family and how a family changes following separation or divorce. Group members will have the opportunity to discuss and process thoughts and feelings surrounding separation/divorce and will be provided with support and educational materials.

Parent Support Group

(Target Age Group: Families of adolescents experiencing mental health challenges)

If you are a parent experiencing anxiety, doubt, indecision, and frustration with regard to supporting your adolescent child suffering from mental health issues.

This group can offer the following: a place to share your experience, provide you with encouragement and a sense of normalcy, a forum to ask questions and receive answers from those who understand, relief from social isolation, and ideas, education, resources and compassion in a safe and confidential environment.

From Hurting to Healing: Interpersonal Trauma Program/Group

(Target Age Group: 12 & up for the program; 18 & up for the group)

Survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones (sexual violence is an umbrella term, it includes sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, etc.); survivors of domestic violence/intimate partner violence/family violence; survivors of child abuse.

The program/group is designed to assist anyone seeking to process/heal from their history of violence and abuse. The program/group involves individual counseling, family work, couples work, and groups. The group for adult women is limited to survivors of sexual violence only, whether it occurred as an adult, as a child or adolescent, or both. Participants must be at least 18, involved in individual therapy at the same time, or have had done some work individually in therapy in the past. Participants must also be relatively high functioning and be able to participate in a group setting.

Adult Group

(Target Age Group: Men and Women ages 18 & up)

Therapeutic support for men and women ages 18 and up, who are coping with depression, anxiety, and general life stressors. We aim to help develop and promote healthy social interaction and provide the opportunity for peer feedback in a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental environment.

Topics include relaxation techniques, building confidence, coping skills, self-esteem, and ongoing support.

Managing Stress through Meditation and Mindfulness Group

(Target Age Group: Adults ages 18 and over, looking to take control of their stress)

This group is a great fit for anyone looking to take control of their stress.

Help take control of the stress you experience using simple and effective strategies. Feel calm and empowered rather than stress and overwhelmed.

Social Skills Group

(Target Age Group: Children ages 5 & up)

Children who are experiencing difficulty with and/or lack the techniques for successful socializing with their peers.

The group will teach children the benefits of having and using appropriate social skills with their peers. Techniques will be based on the specific needs of the members of the group but will likely include the following (and more): recognizing their own and others’ emotions, starting and maintaining conversations with peers, increasing awareness of the effect of their behavior on others and identifying good qualities to look for in seeking out new friends.

Nearly 4 million school-age children have learning disabilities. A child’s ability to have successful social interactions can be impaired by academic challenges. In addition, 20% of those 4 million school-age children also have an attention related disorder which further challenges their social competence. Other children are shy, and others are learning to overcome symptoms of High Functioning Autism.

All children regardless of ability will benefit from explicit social skills instruction. Teachers and parents may have limited time and resources to teach social appropriateness. This open-ended Social Skills Group will teach your child multiple social skills with in group practice and between sessions homework will be given.

Some of these skills are:

  • Become an active listener
  • Choose appropriate words and modify their tone or inflection to reflect their intent
  • Understand and display acceptable non-verbal cues such as personal space and body/facial gestures
  • Recognize emotion in themselves, others and the impact expressing our emotions can have on others
  • Appropriately initiate and engage in conversation to make and maintain friendships
  • Learn how to deal with their own and other’s anger
  • Reflect on situations in which they used social skills
  • Identify qualities and actions of a good friend and those of a poor friend
  • Display successful school/classroom based social skills.
  • Improve self-control and problem solving
  • Respond appropriately in stressful situations

Teen Group

(Target Age Group: Teens 13 & Up)

For teenagers facing stress, anxiety, relationship issues and academic concerns.

We aim to help develop and promote healthy social interaction and provide the opportunity for teens to receive peer feedback in a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental environment. Our group will cover a wide variety of topics, some of which may include: Dating/relationships, Academics, Bullying, Influence of media, Self-esteem.

Turn Sadness into Happiness Group

(Target Age Group: Adults, 18 and up)

This one-hour weekly support group focused on improving how you feel, how to cope with distress or negativity. We provide a forum where we listen, support, and offer help. The group focus is based on research-proven principles to increase happiness.

Over-Spender’s Support Group

(Target Age Group: Men and Women ages 18 & up)

For adults who have a hard time keeping a budget or are constantly making impulse purchases.

Dr. Richard Drew will help group members overcome their self-defeating behaviors in their relationship with money as well as provide strategies on how to proactively achieve financial goals.

There is no time like the present to take action.

For a free consultation with our intake coordinator who will match you to the best provider and service to fit your needs and goals, call 201-488-6678 or click this link to MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.
If calling from out of state: 855-STA TALK (855-782-8255).