Marital and family conflict

Divorce and families living apart

Blended families

Tough choices

Drug & alcohol abuse

Increasing youth violence

Peer pressure

Over the past thirty years, the staff of Gestalt Associates has developed a unique, effective model for working with children and families. Under the direction of Norman Shub, we have assembled a group of committed, highly trained professionals skilled in helping families and other systems (schools, legal, etc.) understand and work through today's challenges.

THE GESTALT MODEL

The child who is hurt, struggling, or acting out needs a safe, confidential place to be. When children and adolescents are given this safe, therapeutic setting, their real concerns and feelings can emerge. Their fears, resentments, self doubts, losses can be explored and resolved. We build a trusting, supportive relationship with the child to promote the understanding of experiences, feelings, needs and the impact and consequences of behavior.

DEALING WITH DIFFICULT ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Sometimes, as a reaction to life, adolescents being to develop rigid, self-defeating personalities, which lead to serious negative behavior. We assess the adolescent, help him/her become more open and vulnerable, and teach new, more appropriate behaviors. Gestalt Associates has been very successful with the most difficult adolescents and their families.

CASE MANAGEMENT

Through our professional case manager, we provide direct communication with schools and community systems to support and reinforce effective treatment results. Our case manager is on the team with the child therapists and family or parenting resource to provide the highest quality care.

OUR FAMILY PROGRAM AND "PARENTING FROM YOUR HEART"

The involvement of the family is an important part of our treatment process. We help the family understand what they are doing to make life difficult for the child, how to change, and what to do to support the growth of the child and the family as a whole.

We teach about feelings, needs, safety, responsibility and use of effective consequences. We teach parents how to “open up” and really communicate with their families.

We also have an effective, very well regarded parenting program “Parenting From The Heart”. In addition to the family or parenting sessions we may ask our parents to attend this excellent skill development experience.