O esterlen Services For Youth, Inc. is a non-profit treatment center for emotionally troubled children, adolescents, adults and families. Oesterlen operates 3 secure, intensive, Residential Treatment programs, inclusive of a Developmental Disabilities / Autism program; a Treatment Foster Care program; and offers In-Home, Community and School Based support and Mental Health services. Children, Adults and Families typically referred to Oesterlen are experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges which are negatively impacting their ability to function successfully in the family setting, in school and the broader community. Such challenges may have resulted from situations of emotional stress, abuse, family breakdown, or other forms of trauma. Oesterlen’s therapeutic programs are designed and experience-proven to discern these issues and design therapies to address them -- ultimately improving self-esteem, coping skills, social interaction skills, and family living skills. Such improvements measurably improve the quality of life and the future success.

 

Oesterlen’s Brooker Community Counseling Center provides Adult and Child Individual / Family counseling. The Counseling Center has a staff of fully licensed clinicians with a wide range of expertise in mental health issues. A full time psychiatrist is available for all established clients. Particular areas of staff expertise include the following: Trauma-informed treatment, attention deficit disorders, childhood and adolescent behavior disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders (including treatment for sexual abuse survivors), depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, social skills enhancement, parenting skills enhancement, and treatment of youth with sexually abusive behaviors. Oesterlen also provides specialized treatment for infants, toddlers and their parents. Treatment modalities are evidenced based and address the presenting and emotional challenges experienced in life. 

The most recent Clark County Youth Risk Behavior Survey for middle school students does an excellent job of highlighting the need for expanded mental health services locally. The study notes that 31.5% of middle school students have carried a weapon , 44% have been in a physical fight , and 49.5% of student’s report having been bullied on school property. The Depression / Suicide statistics are an even clearer indication, showing that 21.7% of students seriously considered attempting suicide and 13.4% made a plan. 

Oesterlen recognizes that behavioral health issues in children are symptoms of multiple individual, family and social environmental factors affecting the child’s life. Therapy utilizes multiple methodologies of individual, group and family counseling. Therapy activities include cognitive and / or hands-on experiences.  Activities can be conducted in a number of different environments. For example, Oesterlen’s Life Skills Center provides Labs such as the Wood-Shop; Adventure Training which utilizes the available 40 acres of old-growth woods; the Greenhouse for Horticulture; the Family Consumer Science Lab for Cooking and Sewing; the Barn for Animal Husbandry; and a 4-H Club for a variety of structured activities. All Labs are intended to offer participants Life and Job Skill development and, as appropriate, therapy opportunities. Working in a garden, working on wood crafted items, tending to the animals or working on skill development via a 4-H Project.  These activities are led by skilled behavioral health counselors to help youth come to understand their behaviors and learn constructive coping skills.  These Labs and the new skills developed can lead to improved school behaviors, academic success, enhanced family relationships and appropriate behavioral functioning in the broader community.

The primary goals of counseling interventions are for Adults, Youth and Families to develop and practice beneficial coping and care-taking skills which will contribute to living functional, satisfying lives.

Group and / or individual counseling sessions focus on social skill deficits, working through grief and loss, abuse victim recovery efforts and treatment of sexually abusive behaviors.  Therapy activities incorporate individual and group conversation, and hands-on action projects such as arts, group games or other experiential activities adapted to the counseling session environment.  Group members problem solve together, and learn respect and empathy and to care for one another.  Abuse victims learn to identify potential signs of abuse and how to keep themselves safe.   Age-appropriate, consistent discipline techniques are taught / reviewed / examined in family counseling, along with parental supervision and nurturing skills. Additionally, individuals with disabilities, marriage counseling, peer interaction, victimization, anger management, school / community functioning and socialization skills are also addressed through the therapeutic process.

 

United Way is proud to fund an agency that is making such an impact in Clark County. If you’re interested in learning more or how to get involved with Oesterlen Services For Youth, Inc. check out the Oesterlen Website or call (937) 399-6101. Also you can check them out on their social media pages: Oesterlen FaceBook , Instagram and Twitter.