THE COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL​

SOCIAL WORK SERVICES

In an effort to provide compassionate and attuned

clinical care that supports our students and their

families in healing, we offer a range of innovative,

research-based treatments including the following:

 

Individual:  All students participate in individual

therapy with their classroom social worker.   Embedded in this work is a focus on building skills in emotional regulation, improving self-esteem, and developing a hopeful narrative.    Depending upon their developmental and treatment needs, a variety of therapeutic approaches are offered including play therapy, Theraplay activities, expressive therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), social thinking, Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), mindfulness, and/or discussion/insight-oriented therapy. 

Family Therapeutic Work:  Family therapy is an important part of the program and involves assessment, psychoeducation, and intervention on a wide range of family issues.  Central to this work is a focus on increasing connection, empathy and parent understanding of their child's unique needs.

Group Therapy:  Clinical staff provides group therapy in the following areas:  social thinking, mindfulness, Theraplay, Zones of Regulation, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and psychoeducational groups

Milieu Therapy:   Within the therapeutic classroom setting, students learn adaptive coping strategies and relationship skills that can be generalized to other aspects of their lives.   Every interaction is an opportunity for therapeutic intervention and growth.

Multi-family Group:  This group provides a unique opportunity for families to connect, share and learn from each other and the Collaborative clinical staff.   A sense of community is fostered through genuine acceptance and shared experience.   This group meets twice a month and is catered by our high school student's business (STAT). 

Psychiatric Services:  The Collaborative's consulting psychiatrist provides assessment,  medication management, and consultation as well as attends weekly staff meetings.   Additionally, child psychiatry fellows from Maine Medical Center's Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry participate in a two-month clinical rotation.

Psychological Assessment and Consultation:   The Collaborative's full-time Clinical Director provides psychological evaluation, consultation, risk assessment, crisis management, mental status evaluation and professional development for staff. 

Targeted Consultation:  Local and national experts provide on-site consultation in the field of child mental health to staff.

On-call Service:  24 hour support is provided by the clinical staff.

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