Seminole Cares About Kids
Posted by SeminoleCEU on August 30, 2010
The mental health needs of children are often overlooked or dismissed as a “phase” or a misbehavior of some kind. Symptoms of psychiatric disorders look different in children, but disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and adjustment disorders are quite common in children. A recent article in The New York Times Magazine gives an in-depth report of just how common these disorders in children can be.
Seminole Cares is the name of the department within Seminole Behavioral Healthcare which serves children and families. We provide counseling and medication to low income children who need these services. We also provide an anti-bullying program in the public schools. Our agency works actively with the Central Florida community as well as the State of Florida to meet the needs of the children who live here. To find out more about our services for children, visit our website at www.seminolecares.org or call us at (407) 831-2411.
Filed Under: Children, Family, Mental Health Issues - Comments: Be the First to Comment
What Are Those Letters after my Therapist’s Name?
Posted by SeminoleCEU on August 23, 2010
There are many paths to becoming a therapist. The amount of training and experience that a therapist has can usually be determined by the letters after his or her name.
If you are meeting with a counselor regularly for “talk therapy”, your counselor probably has letters after his or her name starting with the either the letters M or L. Credentials such as MSW, MA, or MS, indicate that the therapist has completed a master’s degree (which requires about six years of college). Credentials such as LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT, indicate that in addition to having a master’s degree, your therapist has completed at least two years of post-graduate supervised experience, and has passed a rigorous examination. Credentials beginning with the letter R, such as RCSWI, or RMHI, indicate that your therapist has a master’s degree and is in the process of completing this two-year post-graduate internship and preparing for the examination. Therapists are licensed through the state Department of Health. You can check your therapist’s credentials and license status by following this link.
There are many other letters that may appear after your therapist’s name indicating a particular specialty. You may see the letters CAP which indicate that the therapist is certified to treat substance abuse issues. Your therapist may also be an art therapist (ATR-BC), a play therapist (RPT), or have other specialized training.
If your counselor is a student intern who does not yet have a master’s degree, you should have been told this at the beginning of your treatment. If you are receiving services from an intern, your treatment is being closely monitored by a clinical supervisor who meets regularly with your counselor. Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is in part a teaching facility and offers clinical internships to many young professionals.
You have a right to know your therapist’s credentials. If you are not sure of your therapist’s training and experience, don’t be shy about asking. Your therapist is probably quite proud of his or her credentials and would be happy to explain them to you!
Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is committed to providing quality mental health services to the Seminole County community. For more information about our services, visit our website at www.seminolecares.org, or call us at (407) 831-2411.
Filed Under: Internships, Mental Health Issues, Professional Training - Comments: Be the First to Comment
Knowing When to Seek Help
Posted by SeminoleCEU on August 16, 2010
For most people, the thought of seeing a counselor (also called a psychotherapist) is something they wouldn’t even consider. However, a few short meetings with a counselor can often set your life back on track, and prevent even more serious problems from developing.
Many people delay seeking counseling because they don’t know what to expect and are afraid that it will be an upsetting experience. This link addresses quite a few of those concerns. Other people avoid counseling because they believe that psychotherapy is only for people with serious psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. However, like a long talk with a good friend, counseling can help sort things out and offers a fresh perpective. Others avoid counseling because they are concerned about the cost. Seminole Behavioral Healthcare offers a generous sliding fee scale for those without insurance.
Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is committed to the overall mental health of the Seminole County community. For more information, call us at (407) 831-2411 or visit our website at www.seminolecares.org.
Filed Under: Adults, Children, Family, Mental Health Issues - Comments: Be the First to Comment
Why YOU should be certified in Mental Health First Aid
Posted by SeminoleCEU on August 9, 2010
Mental Health First Aid is a 12 hour course in mental health literacy. Much like CPR certification, trainees learn the basics of how to spot a problem and intervene appropropriately. Would you know what to do if someone in your life needed help? This course is perfect for those who are likely to be the first to spot a problem, such as police officers, teachers, human resource managers, and clergy. Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is one of the first to offer this course in the United States (it is offered in 10 other countries as well) and has certified over 100 people. Click here to learn more about our experience with Mental Health First Aid.
Our next course is scheduled for November 4 & 5, 2010. Cost of the course is $200 which includes manual, meals, and certification. Group rates are available. To enroll, please call (407) 831-2411 or email JEmmer@SeminoleCares.org.
Filed Under: Adults, Mental Health Issues, Professional Training - Comments: Be the First to Comment
The Interns are Coming!
Posted by SeminoleCEU on August 3, 2010
Now is the time of year for behavioral health internships to begin! Becoming a therapist is a long and complicated process involving extensive education (usually six years of college) as well as one or two years of supervised practice in a clinical setting prior to graduation, also known as an internship. Seminole Behavioral Healthcare provides internships to over twenty students at any given time. These interns provide crisis counseling, day treatment, substance abuse services, and case management to our clients, all under the close and careful supervision of seasoned professionals. Seminole Behavioral Healthcare welcomes students from undergraduate and graduate programs within the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Barry University, and many other colleges throughout the area. Our interns are seeking degrees in such disciplines as Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapy.
When a student receives a Master’s level degree and completes his or her internship, there are still two more years of full time supervised practice to complete before that person is eligible to sit for the exam that would lead to a license as a therapist. Seminole Behavioral Healthcare provides free clinical supervision for all eligible employees. It is all part of our commitment to providing the highest quality of clinical staff in service to Seminole County.
To find out more about becoming an intern with Seminole Behavioral Healthcare, contact our Director of Applied Clinical Education, Laurel Davis, at (407) 831-2411.
Filed Under: Internships, Mental Health Issues, Professional Training - Comments: Be the First to Comment
Homeless in Seminole County
Posted by SeminoleCEU on July 27, 2010
The recent economic downturn has been particularly hard on Seminole County. Homelessness is at an epidemic. CMF Public Media has recently published a series of online videos describing just how serious this problem is. On any given night, there are approximately 700 individuals sleeping in cars, the woods, and in homeless shelters in Seminole County. Seminole County Public Schools reports that the number of homeless students has doubled in the last two years.
Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is committed to reaching out to homeless families. Our PATH program provides ongoing case management and housing services to those with psychiatric disabilities. Our HOPE team goes out into the streets and the woods, and reaches out to anyone who would like a helping hand. To find out about these services, or any of the other programs available through our agency, visit our website at www.seminolecares.org .
Filed Under: Adults, Children, Homeless, Targeted Case Management - Comments: Be the First to Comment
Does Your Child Have Special Needs?
Posted by SeminoleCEU on July 12, 2010
As a parent, you want to be sure that your child gets the best education available. And as a parent, you know that your child’s unique needs are not always addressed by your school. This is particularly true when your child has serious mental health issues such as ADHD, anxiety problems, or a history of trauma. Do you know your rights when it comes to your child’s education? The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarrantees that your child’s special needs are addressed by the school in such a way as to maximize his or her educational experience. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 offers additional protection. To learn everything you need to know about your rights and responsibilities, Florida Department of Education has created a free online tutorial. Locally there are great advocacy groups, like Central Florida Parent Center who can answer your questions and help you to navigate the school system. Of course, nothing is more helpful than creating a regular dialogue directly with your child’s teacher.
Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is committed to providing quality mental health services to individuals and families in Seminole County. If you are concerned about your child, call us and schedule an appointment with our Seminole Cares program. Our team of child and family therapists, along with our child psychiatrist, are eager to help. You can reach us at (407) 831-2411 or at our website: www.seminolecares.org.
Filed Under: Children, Mental Health Issues - Comments: Be the First to Comment
Family Vacations and Mental Health
Posted by SeminoleCEU on July 6, 2010
It’s the time of year for families to load up the car, kennel the dog, and hit the road. This can be a great opportunity for families to reconnect and recoup together. But sometimes a family vacation can have the opposite effect. Whiny kids, conflicting priorities, and overly high expectations can turn a family vacation into a bad memory. One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to have a number of strategies in place for managing young kids on the road. Another important tip is to pick the right vacation spot. Orlando is the number one destination for families, and for good reason. There’s a nice variety of things to do (theme parks, shopping, golf, the beach) and it’s always smart to include something for everyone in your plans. Finally, think about your re-entry back into your life. There are ways to prevent post-vacation blues by thinking ahead.
Seminole Behavioral Healthcare serves the Seminole County community through counseling and other mental health services. To find out more about our programs, call us at (407) 831-2411 or visit our website at www.seminolecares.org.
Filed Under: Adults, Children, Family, Mental Health Issues - Comments: Be the First to Comment
Domestic Violence Numbers Increasing
Posted by SeminoleCEU on June 28, 2010
A recent article reported some disturbing news about Florida families. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, incidents of domestic violence are on the rise. As the economy continues to struggle, social service programs have been struggling as well as they face an increased number of people requiring services. Families are increasingly faced with unemployment and the host of problems associated with poverty. Local shelter such as Safehouse of Central Florida report that they anticipate a continued increase in requests for help.
Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is committed to providing quality care to residents of Seminole County. Our staff are trained to recognize signs of abuse, and link those in need to services available. Professional Domestic Violence training to meet the licensing requirements for LCSW, LMFT, and LMHC CEUs are also available. There are many opportunities online to learn more about domestic violence, such as those available for free from the Avon Foundation.
For more information about Seminole Behavioral Healthcare, feel free to call us at (407) 831-2411 or visit our website www.seminolecares.org .
Filed Under: Domestic Violence, Mental Health Issues - Comments: Be the First to Comment
When Case Management is the Key to Recovery
Posted by SeminoleCEU on June 23, 2010
When most people think about mental health services, they picture the traditional therapist in a comfortable office helping clients to sort out their problems and feelings. They also picture a psychiatrist prescribing medications, such as antidepressants, and carefully monitoring side effects. Most people don’t realize the important role that case management can play.
Case managers coordinate care in situations where multiple services might be needed. They meet with clients in their homes, doctor’s offices, and other locations. They make calls on their client’s behalf and help their clients obtain basic needs such as housing and foodstamps. Seminole Behavioral Healthcare provides targeted case management to adults whose mental health disabilities put them at risk for frequent or long term psychiatric hospitalization. As part of our commitment to community based care, we are in the process of expanding our targeted case management services to children as well.
Seminole Behavioral Healthcare is recognized by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) as a provider of Targeted Case Management Services. We are also credentialed to provide training to Targeted Case Managers as part of their credentialing process. To find out more, feel free to contact us at (407) 831-2411.
Filed Under: Targeted Case Management - Comments: Be the First to Comment
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