School Based Mental Health
Why Have Mental Health Services in Schools?
How Do I Know if My Child Needs Services?
How Can I Get Services for My Child?
Students are referred by parent, school guidance counselor or student. Families complete an intake packet and return it to the school or directly to Family Therapy Associates. Individual student records are kept confidential and not shared with school staff. Sessions are tailored around each child’s school schedule and operate during school hours. Most insurances are accepted, including Medicaid. A discounted cash rate is available if paid on the same day of service.
To learn more about this service, contact your child’s school counselor or you may contact the School Based Services Coordinator at Family Therapy Associates 715-246-4840 ext 121.
School Partnerships
In 2015 Family Therapy Associates began our first school partnership. Since then, the program has grown to include the following school districts: Altoona, Bruce, Cameron, Cameron-North Star Academy, Colfax, Hudson, Luck, Mondovi, New Auburn, Osceola, Somerset, St. Croix Central, St. Croix Falls, and Unity.
Family Therapy Associates strives to collaborate with the districts we serve to provide onsite mental health therapy. Additionally, Family Therapy Associates offers student mental health screenings, professional development for school staff, mental health awareness and acute grief response services for the districts we partner with.
- Removes the barrier of transportation for families to and from an office
- Services can be offered during summer school sessions
- The student misses less academic time to attend therapy sessions in the building
- Parents will miss less work while still getting their child services
- Early intervention can prevent long-term problems
- Offers a collaboration of support between therapist and school for the child
- Improves academic performance and personal relationships with family and friends
How Do I Know if My Child Needs Services?
- Life changing event occurred: death, divorce, change in housing, new family members, relocation
- Seems unusually anxious about common routine or other events
- Loss of interests in hobbies or activities
- Sad or irritable for a long period of time
- Struggling with peers and/or family relationships
- Drop in academic performance
- Engages in self-harming behaviors
- Displays physical aggression towards self, others, animals or objects
- Displays verbal aggression (yelling, screaming, makes hurtful comments)
- Has low self-esteem, talks negatively about self
How Can I Get Services for My Child?
Students are referred by parent, school guidance counselor or student. Families complete an intake packet and return it to the school or directly to Family Therapy Associates. Individual student records are kept confidential and not shared with school staff. Sessions are tailored around each child’s school schedule and operate during school hours. Most insurances are accepted, including Medicaid. A discounted cash rate is available if paid on the same day of service.
To learn more about this service, contact your child’s school counselor or you may contact the School Based Services Coordinator at Family Therapy Associates 715-246-4840 ext 121.
School Partnerships
In 2015 Family Therapy Associates began our first school partnership. Since then, the program has grown to include the following school districts: Altoona, Bruce, Cameron, Cameron-North Star Academy, Colfax, Hudson, Luck, Mondovi, New Auburn, Osceola, Somerset, St. Croix Central, St. Croix Falls, and Unity.
Family Therapy Associates strives to collaborate with the districts we serve to provide onsite mental health therapy. Additionally, Family Therapy Associates offers student mental health screenings, professional development for school staff, mental health awareness and acute grief response services for the districts we partner with.
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Kathy Guilhas, MS, LPC
Clinical Supervisor Area of Focus: School Based Services I have experience working with adults, adolescents and children who have been affected by trauma, anxiety or depression. I am passionate about meeting each client where they are at on their personal journey, and creating a safe space for each client to take steps toward the life they long to live. Additional interests include helping children who have been impacted by trauma, as well as children who are struggling with peers or changes within their family system. I am also trained in grief and loss, and I am honored to walk alongside each client through their most trying times. |
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Laurel Tinsley, MSW LCSW
Area of Focus: Children, Adolescents, & Families, School Based Services As a therapist, my goal is to provide a comfortable and safe environment for processing thoughts and feelings. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and families who are struggling to cope with a wide variety of mental health related concerns including trauma, depression, and anxiety. In some cases, I find it important to include the entire family unit in sessions as this can be a powerful tool to affect lasting change. I am a kind and compassionate therapist. I enjoy using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to help my clients find ways to cope with strong emotions, overcome challenges, and reach their established goals. I have experience working with children and adolescents who are impacted by the effects of trauma, depression, anxiety, behavior challenges, grief/loss, attention difficulties, and PTSD. I also have experience incorporating therapeutic principles amongst the family unit as a whole. |
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Molly Newman, MS, LPC
Areas of Focus: Children, Adolescents, and Families I believe everyone has the ability to create a life worth living. As a therapist, I am just another tool in their toolbox of skills they use in life to be successful and build confidence to move forward creating a life they feel good about. I find it important to have a safe, non-judgmental and compassionate approach with clients to help them to feel they can share their experiences and better understand their thoughts and behaviors while meeting their goals. While I have experience working with individuals of all ages, my priary work has been with adolescents and families. I have experience helping individuals and families work through symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, anger management, autism, personality disorders and other mental health concerns. I have additional training and experience in the area of trauma. |
Additional therapists may offer this service along with in person office-based counseling. Please contact our office at 715-246-4840 for more information.
