A Team Approach to Therapy

Therapist Interns at Pfeiffer Institute Reach help their clients by using a team approach. These "teams" take several different formats.

First and foremost, the Therapist Intern has a supervisor who is licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy. The Therapist Intern and supervisor meet together at least once a week to discuss the Intern's clients - what has happened in the most recent session, the Intern's plans to help the client to change, and the Intern's relationship (aka alliance) with the client. The supervisor listens to the Intern's description, asks questions about the Intern and the client, and sometimes observes recordings of the session. All of this happens in the effort to (1) improve the Intern's skills and (2) benefit the client's therapy.

Second, the Therapist Intern has a group of peers who also hear about clients and sometimes watch sessions. With the supervisor as facilitator, this group also works to help the Therapist Intern think "outside the box" about how to be helpful to the client, and improve the Intern's therapy skills. Together, these teams (supervisor and peers) are why we tell prospective clients that they're getting multiple therapists for the price of one - and a low price at that!

The third "team" includes helpers outside of Reach who are involved with the client. These team members might be doctors, lawyers, teachers, or religious leaders who make up the client's support network. Therapist Interns collaborate with these outside team members (with the client's written permission) in order to coordinate the effort to help the client make changes. While this team isn't as directly involved in the actual therapy - indeed, they don't learn the particulars of what happens in session - they are integral parts of helping the client make and maintain progress in their lives.

This systems perspective (i.e., client is seen as part of a network rather than a lone entity) is part of what makes Marriage and Family Therapy different from other mental health fields. Its part of the benefit clients receive when they come to Pfeiffer Institute Reach. If you'd like to become part of our team - or if you'd like to learn more about us - please contact us today: 919-941-2900 or pfeiffer.reach@pfeiffer.edu.

Children's Social Skills Group - NEW DATE: September 19

Due to scheduling issues, the Children's Social Skills Group will now start Saturday, September 19, from 10:30-11:30am. The group will meet every other Saturday (9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14, 11/21). 

RSVP today! 919-941-2900 or Pfeiffer.Reach@Pfeiffer.edu

    The social skills group offered at Pfeiffer Institute Reach provides children ages 5-8 with the opportunity to increase social skills and peer interactions.  The group will sharpen social skills common for this age group, including meeting peers, maintaining friendships, and sharing.  In addition, the group will focus on helping children to respond appropriately to challenging social situations such as losing, apologizing, and identifying and managing emotions.  Children will learn how to identify emotions, and connect emotional experiences to physical feelings through interactive and visual activities.  The group will focus on helping children to manage difficult emotions, such as anger and fear, and connect emotional experiences to social interactions through role-plays and group member interaction. 

    The social skills group is a great opportunity for any child who is experiencing Autism, behavioral issues, ADHD, social delays, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation.  The purpose of the group is to help children learn appropriate social responses, interact well with peers, and regulate emotion.

    The group facilitators, Toni Nicolsen and Nicole McCarthy, are advanced graduate students and therapist interns at Pfeiffer Institute Reach.  Toni has previous experience leading social skills groups for children with behavioral disorders and social anxiety.  She enjoys the interactive nature of a group setting and helping children engage in social and emotional experiences through hands-on activities and building peer relationships.  Nicole has been working with young children for several years, and has experience helping children to improve their social/emotional skills.  She enjoys helping children to better understand their emotions, while giving them tools to cope and express themselves in positive ways.

RSVP today! 919-941-2900 or Pfeiffer.Reach@Pfeiffer.edu

Children's Social Skills Group (5-8 years old) - starts Saturday, August 22

Does your child have a difficult time making friends?  Sharing?     Identifying and expressing feelings?

Let Pfeiffer Institute Reach help put a little pep in your child’s back to school step!

This group will provide your child with skills needed to make and maintain friendships, and get along better with their peers!

Children ages 5 to 8 years old.

 Every other weekend starting on Saturday, August 22 from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM

RSVP today! Seating is limited! 919-941-2900

A Stressful Week

What a week it's been! Our front AC unit went out on Monday - the entire unit had to be replaced, and the supervisor to approve this was on vacation. We were short-staffed in the office so there were changes in schedules and long days. Both printers went out and needed new parts ordered - TWICE! Sometimes it seems like everything that can go wrong - does! And that's just the job-related stuff! Murphy is alive and well, I guess. It's enough to make you wonder how much you can handle, and how sane you'll be by the end!

Luckily, Reach has great resources: Even as I write this, the AC unit is being fixed (3 trucks of ARS techs - thank you!). We have helpful office staff, and interns who step up to cover the front when needed. We were able to order the printer parts online and they arrived the next day.

I can also choose to find the bright side of stressful situations:

• It was a little cooler yesterday and last night, so the front office was bearable in the mornings. The back AC units helped cool the whole suite, so at least the session rooms were comfortable. 
• We were short-staffed for a very positive reason - a baby was born healthy and mom did great. The employee was able to take time off, and will be back on schedule soon.
• Any printing that had to be done immediately was emailed to the campus and taken care of in no time.

Still, all these changes and frustrations - much less the heat! - can make anyone feel stressed and overwhelmed! If you've got a lot going on, particularly if you're having trouble coping or seeing any bright side, please come to our FREE Stress Management Workshop next Saturday, July 25, from 10:30am-12pm. You will learn about important skills (mindfulness, guided meditation), share with others, and receive a voucher for a FREE therapy session at Reach. Reserve your spot today: call 919-941-2900 or email contact@pfeifferreach.org.

Stress Management Workshop - One Day Left to RSVP!

RSVP Today - 919-941-2900 or contact@pfeifferreach.org

Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Beat down by the heat?

Join us at Pfeiffer Institute Reach for a FREE workshop!

Relax while you learn tools, tips, and techniques to balance stress through mindfulness practice, guided meditation, & breathing exercises!

Saturday, July 25 from 10:30 AM—12:00 PM

RSVP today! Seating is limited!

This workshop is open to everyone; those who attend will also receive a voucher for one FREE therapy session at Pfeiffer Institute Reach.

Relaxation Workshop

Oftentimes we become overwhelmed and consumed with multiple tasks in our daily lives.  During these times, we forget the importance of taking a step back to breathe and take time for ourselves.  What better way to learn to relax than to join us at Pfeiffer Institute Reach Wednesday, July 8^th for a FREE Relaxation Workshop! You will leave with tips on the importance of self-care and stress management skills.

Other topics to be covered will include:

·         Mindfulness techniques

·         Guided Breathing exercises

·         Meditation

We welcome you to join us as we help you to regain inner peace.

 Please contact Pfeiffer Institute Reach at 919-941-2900 to reserve your seat today.

A cheerful frame of mind, reinforced by relaxation... 

is the medicine that puts all ghosts of fear on the run.

                                                                           -George Matthew Adams

Happy Father's Day!

To all the Fathers - biological, adopted, step, grand...they come in many varieties. Some of them eagerly anticipate the role, some come to it unexpectedly, others gradually, and some with great trepidation. All are important and have an influence on their children and partners. While their job is never-ending, at this time of year we pause to say "Thank you," recognize their achievements and shortcomings, and face the year ahead with determination to do better.

For all you do and will do, Happy Father's Day!