Suicidal Ideation/Behavior

Teen Empowerment Group

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For teens who are survivors of violence, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, school or community violence, parental substance abuse, who have witnessed violence in their home, or have experienced any other child maltreatment.

This group focuses on self-esteem building, healthy relationships, gaining a sense of community and skills for growth, and helping teens access their own strength and courage to claim a healthy and positive future.

Parents, the reality of teen trauma is painful and overwhelming. Figuring out how to begin the healing process can be confusing. You want to protect your teen and ensure their safety and happiness. When you see your child suffering, it hurts.

We understand, and we are here to help.

Any of this sound familiar in regards to your teen:

– Anxiety or worry

– Falling grades

– Persistent sadness, lack of energy, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawing from normal activities, or feeling “down”

– Changes in self-care, such as paying less attention to hygiene, appearance, or fashion than they usually do

Our Teen Empowerment Group is hands down the best way to help your teen:

–  Understanding of the symptoms of trauma to support self-regulation

– Develop greater understanding of themselves and their needs in a safe and supportive community so that they can set self-directed boundaries 

– Experience mindfulness-based practices to induce and deepen relaxation 

– Increase self-compassion in order to reduce self-criticism and self-blame

We are here to help your teen engage in the body and mind through arts based expression in order to heal and re-connect with joy and purpose.

NEXT Step? Email our office to schedule a brief phone chat with leaders Melissa or Megan. We would be delighted to answer any questions you have about the group. We look forward to hearing from you!

Expressive arts is an evidence based practice that provides practical tools for healing and emotional growth. Some art modalities we will use include; drawing, painting, collage, mixed media and digital art or photography. No experience or skill with art making is necessary to benefit from art therapy.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

DBT Mindfulness & Skills Group Series – Start Date: Sept 15

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The DBT Mindfulness & Skills Group Series is a 22-session series for adults that teaches all the core skills of Dialectical Behavior Therapy to a committed group of recovering individuals. This group may be helpful for those who struggle with their own emotional volatility or hypersensitivity in their personal or professional lives, unstable friendships, self-harm, emotionally manipulative communication patterns, reactive suicidality, overwhelming helplessness, emotional eating, codependent interpersonal style, sex or gambling or other form of process addiction, and substance abuse.

The series includes the following:

  • Required: DBT Mindfulness & Skills Group – Tuesdays 5:30 – 7pm ($75 per group)

  • Required: DBT Homework & Diary Card Review – Thursdays 5:30pm – 6:30pm ($35 per group)

  • Recommended: DBT Individual Therapy (Fee varies from $150-200 depending on the licensure level of the clinician)

  • All clients in this program receive a DBT binder with all skills, homework and diary cards.

All clients must be assessed in order to participate in this group series.

Kat Zwick runs this group, and they will be joined in the Fall of 2020 by post-doctoral associate Zo Amaro Jimenez. Kat was trained in a DBT treatment program and was supervised by a certified DBT practitioner for 3 years in Chicago, and Kat has also received intensive DBT-PTSD training directly from Behavioral Tech, Marsha Linehan’s training institution. Kat brings as much of adherent DBT as they can to an outpatient private practice, though it is modified to fit the setting.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Jordon Epps

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Jordon’s understanding of mental disabilities started very early. His father was a Psychiatrist and he was fortunate to accompany him to work at various hospitals, clinics, etc. Upon enrolling at Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Jordon made his future intentions clear from day one with the clinical training coordinator at Pepperdine. He said he came to increase his knowledge in chronic and severe mental health so he could return to the field more prepared to help. He used his education to continue working at mental health facilities treating chronic mental disorders including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.

Jordon was fortunate to have made his mind up that he wanted to be an instrument of recovery for individuals needing mental health services. He used this experience to obtain a license in Marriage and Family Therapy and continue working with adults diagnosed with chronic and persistent mental illness in addition to substance use disorders at D’Amore Healthcare. Upon moving to the Bay Area, he used his experience to assist individuals in community based mental health programs including Fremont Hospital and Crossover Health/Facebook (Menlo Park). He brings over 10 years of experience and counting in the field of chronic and persistent mental illness. Jordon has experience utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, CBTi, mindfulneess, and trauma focused therapy [for children (only accepting trauma cases) and adults]. Jordon continues to advocate for his caseload and assist them in improving their insight, judgment, and symptom awareness to help improve overall daily functioning at home, work/school, and the community.

Filed Under: Uncategorized