DECLARE Quarterly The Official Newsletter of the Declare Therapy Center Fall 2010
A Letter From the President The DECLARE Therapy Center opened its doors on April 1, 2009, to help troubled youth and their families. Our mission is to provide high quality outpatient therapy for those individuals needing mental health services for sexual abuse, substance abuse, and forensic issues. Many changes have taken place since our doors opened. Some of the changes that have accrued over the past year are: Certification by the Ohio Department of Mental Health, Certification by the Ohio Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction Services, National Accreditation from CARF International in August 2010, Standardized agency policies and procedures and hired a certified play therapist/supervisor, building avenues for cross-agency collaboration, annual banquet, established an interactive website, gained sponsorship with community organizations, increased the number of volunteers, established an agency professional photographer, established an agency statistician and researcher. All of these changes were in the interest of becoming a leading provider of a continuum of preventative, therapeutic, and educational services for adults, children, and families. There is a simple story that epitomizes the spirit of The Declare Therapy Center. It is called “The Starfish Flinger.�
President/Founder/CEO Of DECLARE Therapy Center, Dr. Purcell Taylor
As the old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Finally, catching up with the youth, he asked him why he was doing this. The answer was the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun. “But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish,” countered the other. “How can your effort make any difference?” The young man looked at the starfish in his hand then threw it to the safety on the waves. “It makes a difference to this one,” he said. In each phase of our maturation as an agency, we have set goals, developed strategies and assigned resources, just as we have done in all of our treatment programs. That is the same approach we are now taking as we focus on establishing and reinforcing a common culture that permeates every corner of our agency to provide compassionate and caring services to our clients. The DECLARE Therapy Center has a strong client centered culture that is essential for many reasons. For one, it increases our clients' confidence and satisfaction that we will provide them with needed services that demonstrate that we will utilize our professionalism, clinical experience and warmth regardless of their problems and issues. Additionally, it improves our delivery of needed service in responding to the needs of our clients. Our success rests in the hands of the professionals and volunteers who work here. To members of the DECLARE Therapy Center, its friends, volunteers, and supporters, we're all “starfish fingers.” Your dedication to our mission of helping children and their families is truly essential. We thank you for being willing to make a difference in their lives. Dr. Purcell Taylor, LPCC, LICDC, DABPS, President, Founder, and CEO
DECLARE Therapy Center Plans For Innovative Treatment Practices The DECLARE Therapy Center is currently focused on dramatically expanding the organization. They're seeking certifications with numerous organizations and are planning on offering new treatment programs and research materials. In our future newsletters, we will focus on our plans for the future that will include our research, technology, and treatment goals. For this article we will focus on our basic treatment options. Fresh Start Program Fresh Start is a treatment program for victims of sexual abuse. Even after abuse has ceased, victims could be plagued by a number of symptoms that could negatively affect their lives and the lives of those around them. These symptoms could include sleeping and eating disorders, lack of focus, low self-esteem, substance abuse, depression, chronic fear, and post traumatic stress. To help client's recover from those issue's DECLARE created the Fresh Start Program. The year long program focuses on three steps: Step 1. Realize that these problems are consuming their lives and creating a situation that they cannot control.
Step 2. Identify what causes the symptoms to occur and to create a strategy to manage their behavior. Step 3. Re-Establish healthy and long lasting relationships with those around them. After the client completes the program, they will be able to regain control over their lives and promote healthy social interactions with their community. Equinox II
D.E.C.L.A.R.E. Program The D.E.C.L.A.R.E. Program is designed to treat individuals with drug and alcohol problems. Chemical use/abuse can range from a wide array of issues including (but not limited to) anger management, entitlement, and the ability to relate cause and effect. There are 7 stages to the program. Declare – The abuser is in denial of their use of chemical substances.
The Equinox Program was designed to treat children and adults who display sexually inappropriate behaviors. The program is also set up to accommodate cognitively impaired individuals.
Esteem – The abuser has diminished selfesteem.
Many issues may need to be addressed including (but not limited to) anger management, manipulation, family patterns, depression, and emotional disorders.
Loss – The abuser has experienced a significant loss of either physical, psychological, or social resources.
Treatment is unique to each client, but most of them are two years long. The program focuses on four separate steps. Step 1. Learn to become aware of and control deviant arousal patterns.
Confusion – The abuser has a chaotic and disorganized lifestyle.
Acceptance – The abuser finally accepts reality of their dependence on drugs and alcohol. Resolution – The abuser seeks therapeutic assistance.
Step 2. Learn to deal with life issues in a socially appropriate manner.
Entry – Abuser enters society as a chemically free individual ready to begin the life-long process of recovery.
Step 3. Determine how much of a risk the client is to society.
The program emphasis abstinence and the development of healthy coping strategies.
Step 4. Develop a relapse prevention program.
To find out more more information please visit declaretherapycenter.org
An after-care program may be necessary after treatment is completed.
DECLARE Success Story In 2009, Windy's life had fallen flat. Dark clouds daily floated around her head and her life was very much a “blah.” She didn't even go out with friends or laugh much. Life was pretty dull and at times, seemed even pointless. “I was very pessimistic and down on everything,” she says. “I didn't like myself too much . I didn't want a life.” Like so many others, Windy was suffering from major depression, a medical condition affecting 15 million Americans. Unlike normal emotional experiences of sadness, major loss, or passing mood states, major depression is persistent and can significantly interfere with an individual's thoughts, behaviors, mood, activities and physical health. While many suffers choose to evade their conditions, Windy was resourceful enough and reached out for help. Since coming to the DECLARE Therapy Center for treatment and working closely with her therapist Carinne, sunshine has slowly reentered her life . After undergoing treatment, Windy says she is much happier. She now goes out with friends, smiles and laughs a lot, and is wearing dresses again – her favorites. She's even telling jokes and has begun to clean as a coping mechanism; a skill she didn't know she could use. But Windy is not the only person that has noticed a change in her since beginning treatment. Everybody has commented on the “New Windy.” “People I was in marching band with come up to me and tell me how different I am from a year ago. Everyone likes to be around me now and laugh and smile. I have so many more friends. I didn't totally realize how low and depressed I was before...You just can't tell when you're in it.”
Overall, Windy states that treatment at DECLARE has made her more confident. She thanks her therapist for changing her life and for always being there for her. “She is such an amazing part of my life, especially [my] senior year. [And] I wouldn't have been able to survive it without her.” When asked what she'd say to other people struggling with depression, she says, “Know that it won't get easier automatically. It's a process, but life can get better.” She also suggests that you “go talk to Carinne! She's really cool, and of course, helpful.” We agree with you Windy! Congratulations on your success and growth!