Children and Adolescent Programs at NECBT

The 2014-15 school year has begun. At this time of year, children and teens may find themselves feeling anxious or depressed, either from the new added stressors from school, or even from social situations in which they feel uncomfortable. In some cases, families may be discovering for the first time that a child has symptoms associated with ADHD. Others may simply need help learning how to better manage their stress. At NECBT, we can help children, teens, and their families get on the right track this school year.

Treating children can be challenging. In fact, a child’s brain is not fully developed until his or her mid-twenties. At New EnglandCenter for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy our philosophy for treating children and adolescents is to highly involve the parents and/or guardians. We have had a lot of success with this approach to children’s therapy. Parents are taught the same I-CBT used in individual session as well as how to use evidence based reinforcement techniques to encourage preferable behaviors.  Parents are then better equipped to handle their child’s behaviors outside the office setting. 

For more about I-CBT, a hybrid of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Intelligence developed by American Psychotherapist Thomas A. Cordier, please see last week’s post here.

NECBT's Behavioral Parent Training Starts 9/17! Sign up now!

NECBT's next Behavioral Training for Parents and Professionals will be starting on Wednesday, September 17th! 
NECBT’s Behavioral Training is part of the three-tiered system of our Children and Adolescent Programming here at NECBT. Parents of children age 17 and younger who are currently patients at NECBT are required to attend this 10-week seminar to learn how to help reinforce the I-CBT treatment that children are learning in individual sessions. However, Behavioral Training is a great learning opportunity for anyone who works with children, and we are opening up our course to the public as well. 

As the school year starts, being a part of this unique training can equip parents and professionals with the skills and techniques that can make the new school year successful for everyone involved!

Behavioral Training is specifically designed for parents, teachers, and administrators looking to learn strategies to help improve children’s behavior in home, school, and social environments.

Moving Mental Health Forward

We at NECBT were deeply affected by Robin Williams' death. Suicide is an avoidable tragedy when individuals receive proper treatment for their Mental Health disorders.

It has always been our mission at NECBT to Move Mental Health Forward with Evidence-Based Treatment. It is of paramount importance that those who are living with symptoms of mental health disorders receive the treatment they need. At NECBT, our therapists are making a difference using Thomas A. Cordier's Interpersonal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT). I-CBT is highly effective for treating symptoms associated with mental health disorders, including Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, OCD, PTSD, as well as many others.

This past Sunday, 8/17, we premiered our first television commercial on the Connecticut CBS affiliate, WFSB. It is our intention to help as many people as we can, and to spread our message as far and wide as possible. In the past we have relied on word of mouth and social media to help us communicate our mission. Now, we want to reach even more people to make sure that everyone knows that NECBT is here to help. This is why we have now begun to advertise on broadcast television.

Please share this wherever you can. You never know who may be living with mental illness and could use some help. We teach patients skills to help them work through their symptoms. Even after they move on from our program these coping skills are always with them as they navigate new life challenges.

If you or your loved one is in need of treatment, please call our office at 860-430-5515.
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Effectively Treating Depression

Here at NECBT it has always been our mission to remove the stigma associated with mental illness. We are dedicated to moving mental health forward and making sure people get the treatment that they desperately need. Now, in the wake of Robin Williams’ tragic suicide , we are all presented with the challenge of making sure that those around us who are living with Depression and Anxiety get the help that they need.

It may be difficult to know who around you is living with depressive symptoms. Anxiety and Depression are the most pervasive of illnesses, and many cases go untreated every year. Through all of his struggles, Robin Williams presented a joyful, light, fun and life-brightening presence to audiences everywhere. Only his loved ones know what face he showed to them out of the limelight, but it is hard to live with the reality that Williams took his own life, and left the world without his brilliant and inspiring presence. Many of you may be aware of bright lights in your own life who are struggling with a form of Depression. It is not something that should be left untreated. Effective therapy may be that one thing that keeps an individual from taking his or her own life.

Good-bye Kim! We will Miss You!

NECBT's Kim Bronson

This week on the blog we honor our long-time Front Desk Office Manager, Kim Bronson. For nearly three years, Kim has provided a friendly face and welcoming atmosphere for NECBT patients and their families. She has been the first point of contact that most people have had with our organization, and has a rare talent for putting individuals at ease in what can often be a stressful time.

While here, Kim applied her natural empathy and kindness to helping patients understand the work we do at NECBT and guiding them to decide if our organization was the right fit for their needs. She also helped patients to better understand their insurance coverage, assisted in accommodating patient schedules, and provided incomparable support for NECBT clinical and administrative staff alike. She also has spent time with our Teen Group, often helping to facilitate meetings and connecting with the patients. Always going above and beyond, Kim has truly been an integral part of the NECBT family.

TED Talks, NPR, and Inspiration: All About Stress and Anxiety.

Even on a day off, we may be plagued with stress.

We all face stress and anxiety from time to time, and some of us deal with them daily. It seems that everywhere we turn these days, people are talking about stress and how best to handle it. 

For many summer may be a time for vacation and relaxation, but stress and anxiety do not always get the memo and take that break with us. Our minds still race, our muscles tense, and yes, whether at home or some new, exotic location, worries do not take a break.

With this in mind, today on the NECBT blog, we offer a small selection of some of our favorite mainstream work from the internet about dealing with stress and anxiety. Please feel free to leave us comments, or links to pieces on stress that you may have found in your internet travels, that you would like to share.

Medication Management at NECBT

I-CBT, combined with medication, can help get patients back on track.

Here at NECBT, we consider ourselves a therapy-focused organization. In most cases, we would prefer to approach Mental Health without the use of pharmaceuticals. However, we do understand that at times medication is necessary for individual patients, depending on the nature and the severity of their condition. With this in mind, we offer a Medication Management program that is in line with our philosophy: Medication only when absolutely necessary.