Individual Therapy

Services involves meeting with a therapist one-on-one for the purpose of reducing internal suffering which occurs in the form of problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings, and somatic responses (sensations in the body). In addition, ongoing psychotherapy is a common and useful means of self-growth and self-actualization. Therapy can help people to resolve barriers which interfere with positive qualities, such as joy, compassion, peace, self-esteem, spiritual connection, and love. Many people enjoy individual therapy and relish the journey of becoming more conscious about themselves, their inner world, and their relationships. Individual psychotherapy can be useful for many interpersonal and intrapersonal problems, such as depression, anxiety, poor self esteem, aggression (anger management), attention deficits, emotional disturbance, sex & sexuality issues, parenting, trauma, impulsivity, identity issues, addiction and other problematic behaviors. In general, modern psychotherapy is a personal process of deeply listening to, learning from, and working with the protective or wounded parts of oneself. Becoming conscious of one’s inner world and caring for oneself helps a person to heal, change, and grow.

Group Therapy

A form of psychotherapy that usually involves three to six clients and one or two experienced group therapists. Most therapy groups meets weekly for one hour and group participants share a common problem or concern. During meetings, the participants of the group discuss the issues that are concerning them and offer each other support and feedback. Interpersonal interaction is highly valued and encouraged. Group is often the best place to get help with interpersonal concerns and/or problematic behavior. Group therapy usually works because members behave in the group in ways that reflect how they behave outside of group. The difference is that the leaders and the other members can help the individual change unproductive patterns by giving feedback about how they perceive you and by offering alternative ways of interacting. If you have been referred to group it is because it is the most effective method for addressing your concerns. Some examples of the kinds of interpersonal issues that bring people to group are loneliness or isolation, shyness, excessive dependence in relationships, frequent arguments with people, discomfort in social situations, difficulty trusting others, being easily hurt or offended, needing a lot of reassurance from others, fear of being left and lack of intimacy in relationships. Through the sharing process, participants develop a level of trust that makes it possible for them to be honest and open with each other. Ideally, the individuals who join group are committed to learning about themselves and their relationships with others.

Couples Therapy

The various forms of couples therapy, marriage counseling, couples counseling, sex therapy, pre-marriage counseling and couples anger management are especially effective when using the holistic concepts of natural psychotherapy.The focus of this holistic treatment and therapy is to seek a honest and new perspectives on your current relationship. Participants learn supportive and appropriate ways of interaction in order to build (or re-build) love, trust and joy in the couple's ways of relating. This therapeutic process can be effective regardless if the individuals in the relationship are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Whether a couple is living together or separately, unmarried, or married for a short or long time, without children, or with children. Differences in life-styles, as well as multi-cultural, issues often interfere in couple interaction. They may interfere with mutual respect, and with mutual acceptance of each other's unique ways of thinking and doing things. Therefore, in natural couples therapy such differences are always treated constructively, as sources of mutual enrichment and mutual inspiration rather than as sources of conflict.

Family Therapy

This is a type of psychotherapy done to help family members improve communication and resolve conflicts. Family therapy is often short term. It may include all family members or just those most able to participate. Your specific treatment plan will depend on your family's situation. Family therapy sessions can teach you skills to deepen family connections and get through stressful times, even after you're done going to therapy sessions. Family therapy is based on the belief that the family is a unique social system with its own structure and patterns of communication. These patterns are determined by many factors, including the family's beliefs and values, the personalities of all family members, and the influence of the extended family (grandparents, aunts, and uncles). As a result of these variables, each family develops its own unique personality, which is powerful and affects all of its members.

MENTORING SERVICES

Child/ Adolescent Mentorship

The Mentoring Program addresses the personal, educational, and social needs of elementary, middle and high school students through individual relationships with adult volunteers. Mentors are selected for their interest in and demonstrated commitment to working with a youth for at least one year, and for their ability to provide support, guidance, and exposure to new opportunities. This can be achieved by spending time with the youth and interacting through various activities depending on their goals, including helping with schoolwork, offering college and career guidance, attending cultural events, and participating in sports. To facilitate this relationship and foster a sense of community, mentoring pairs are encouraged to attend The Creative Solutions, Inc. mentoring group events and workshops, which have included skill building exercising, exposure to youth interest and activities, performance arts workshop, communication skills building exercises, self-esteem workshops, community issues discussions, exposure to arts and recreation and much more. Through these programs, mentees are able to improve academically, broaden their horizons, develop stronger interpersonal skills, build a more positive self-image, and cultivate valuable and memorable friendships.

Adult/ Senior Mentorship

This is a unique mentoring program that matches professional adult volunteers with senior citizen who need extra attention and will benefit from forging a strong relationship with an younger adult. This mentoring programs actively bring together younger and older persons in activities that break down the myths and stereotypes that result from societal separation of the generations. Senior adults participating in this programs benefit from new, positive relationships with adult volunteers in their community. Volunteer work to increases a senior’s sense of purpose, which leads to greater self-esteem, often at a time in life when many senior adults are depressed or isolated. By spending time with a young adult, a senior not only has the opportunity to experience companionship but they will have chance to transfer their knowledge, skills, and values to a younger generation. The Adult/ Senior Mentorship program allows a senior to continue being involved in the community, giving their later-life a new purpose and satisfaction. Adult volunteers also benefit from increased self-esteem, knowledge and skills. By spending time in a positive relationship with a senior citizen, the younger generation gains a better understanding of the process of aging. They also find older adults to be supportive role models, which leads to an all-around increase in their personal self-worth.

CREATIVE EXPRESSION WORKSHOPS

This enriched, after school program will channel the energy and imagination of youth by dancing, singing and acting through the performing arts. Participants are coached by knowledgeable, skilled instructors in a wide array of subjects from Musical Theater, Dance, Voice, Acting, Creative Writing and Yoga. Participants will gain confidence through creative exploration, as they participate in activities designed to promote physical, social, and artistic development. These workshops are perfect for youths who is interested in learning multiple genres of the performance arts. Our teachers are working (or retired) professionals in their respective disciplines. Their experience and knowledge combined with The Creative Solutions Connection, INC. mission provides our students with a level of training comparable to what can be found at private studio throughout New York city. Workshop teaching artists are professional artists, trained to teach performing arts to youth, particularly those often referred to as “at risk”. Participants in creative expression workshops build their critical thinking, creative expression and basic learning skills through the arts.

OTHER SERVICES

The Creative Solutions Connection, INC. offers a variety of other services, including advocacy services, life coaching, internships and life skills training. Advocacy Services aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions. Advocacy may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply a desire to protect an asset of interest. Life Coaching is a practice that helps people identify and achieve personal goals. Life coaches assist clients by using a variety of tools and techniques. Life coaching draws inspiration from disciplines such as sociology, psychology, positive adult development and career counseling. However, life coaches are not necessarily therapists, counselors or consultants. Our Internship positions offer on-the-job training for students in their professional careers. Although interns are typically college or university students, they can also be high school students or post-graduate adults. On occasion, they are middle school or even elementary students. Generally, an internship works as an exchange of services for experience between the student and his or her employer. They can also use an internship to determine if they have an interest in a particular career, create a network of contacts, or gain school credit. Life Skills Training is a process of learning how to use personal behaviors and techniques to appropriately and responsibly manage ones personal responsibilities. Participants will learn how to use a set of personal human skills to manage direct experience that are used to handle problems and questions commonly encountered in daily human life.