At Aldar Academy , we have a comprehensive mental health program that enables us to meet our students' psychological and social needs. Our goal is that every student will meet with an individual therapist, every student will participate in weekly classroom groups, and each student will also have the opportunity to participate in small groups that will address specific topics.
Aldar Academy 's mental health team is currently comprised of the following staff:
Mental health coordinator, who is responsible for the organization and implementation of the mental health team. In addition, we have a consulting psychologist, who is available for collaboration and consultation and also provides psychological testing for IEP's.
Aldar Academy employs MFTI's to meet with our students on an individual basis. A MFTI is a Marriage, Family Therapist Intern who is accruing hours towards licensure. The MFTI receives direct supervision from our Licensed Psychologist, and also receives consultation from the rest of our mental health staff (Mental Health Coordinator and Social Workers). We currently have a LMFT (Licensed Marriage Family Therapist) and a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) on staff.
In addition to each student being assigned a therapist, each classroom at Aldar Academy is assigned one social worker. Currently, there are three social workers that are assigned to two classes to work alongside the teacher and teacher's aides and assist the classroom with their mental health needs.
At times Aldar Academy may employ undergraduate social worker interns. These interns receive supervision from our psychologist and also work closely with the mental health coordinator and social workers.
Aldar Academy 's mental health team is currently developing a parent education program and family counseling program for after school (see Aldar Counseling under Services and Programs).
We are also involved in planning for after school activities and education for selected students.
Finally, Aldar Academy has a certified staff member who is able to dispense medication to our students who have been prescribed medication.
Resources
Currently providing group, and/or individual therapy
Social Workers
Therapists
Supervising Clinician
Social Work/MFCC Interns
Clinical Psychologist with ASL skills
Active involvement with outside services
Behavioral Modification
Individual and Group Behavioral systems in each classroom
Academic and behavioral assessments
Behavioral Modification through extrinsic and intrinsic rewards, both group and individual
Additional Services
Speech and Language Pathologist
Home visits and family intervention
ASL classes for families
Student staffings
Training for:
-Parents
-Associated agencies
-ProAct (Professional Assault Crisis Training)
Testing:
Assessment
Group Services
Individual Services
Focus Groups:
Respect for self and others
Improve communication skills
Identify conflict/communication styles
Win/Win situations vs. win/lose situations
Power/control
Process loss
Grief Cycle
Overcoming survivors guilt
Anger Management
Social Skills Groups:
Improve communication skills
Behavioral expectations in a classroom
Behavioral expectations in the community
Good manners
appropriate boundaries
Team Building Groups:
To enhance peer relations
Physical act ivies requiring teamwork
Identifying roles in groups
Effective communication
Sharing
Poetry
Finding mediums of expression
Learning to translate what’s inside