School-based therapy with Andrus mental health professionals overcomes common barriers by improving access, offering services to children and youth that are the most convenient for them in their own school environment. For families that may be juggling multiple jobs and commitments, the convenience of having a child receive services in the school overcomes perhaps the most significant barrier to a child getting help. And for many children and families, getting care in the school overcomes the stigma that some may feel when they seek help at an outside clinic.
Partnering with School Professionals
An Andrus clinician with a presence in the school allows for direct observation of students in their everyday environment, as well as a better understanding of the students’ needs and behavior from teachers and guidance counselors who work with the student daily.
Improving Outcomes
Early intervention through programs in the schools not only improves student mental health, but it also improves academic engagement and performance, reduces the risk that children will end up in the juvenile justice system, and increases the odds of a child becoming a productive adult.
The Andrus school-based mental health program has grown to seven school districts in Westchester county. The S.E.E.D. (Social and Emotional Enrichment and Development) program provides screenings to all referred children; and assesses the need for mental health treatment and appropriateness for services, if indicated. Once admitted to treatment with the program, clinicians will work with caregivers and children to develop appropriate treatment plans to address mental health concerns.
Ongoing services that will be provided include individual therapy for the child, regular contact and collateral sessions with caregiver to address any concerns at home, family therapy sessions, and consultation with teachers and school staff to support intervention for any classroom issues. These services are provided in the school during the school day, but the opportunity exists to continue treatment in the clinic (including psychiatric services or a group modality).
We presently serve the student population at the following school districts:
The Yonkers Clinic serves the following:
• Yonkers City School District
• Charter School of Educational Excellence
• White Plains School District
• Hastings-on-Hudson School District
The Peekskill Clinic serves the following:
• Lakeland School District
• Ossining School District
• Peekskill School District
At Andrus, we implement evidence-based behavior intervention strategies, leveraging positive behavioral supports, functional analysis, and tailored intervention plans. Our approach also includes cultivating frustration tolerance and utilizing group therapy sessions to enhance emotional regulation and peer support.
By integrating these methods, we enhance the effectiveness of interventions, promoting positive outcomes for individuals in our care. Restorative circles are also practiced to build relationships and resolve conflicts constructively. Furthermore, we place a strong emphasis on collecting and analyzing data to guide our interventions, guaranteeing their effectiveness and ability to adapt to the progress of each individual.
These practices, grounded in the principles of applied behavioral analysis, have shown significant efficacy across various populations of youth with special needs.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, or PCIT, is a parent-child therapy model that:
Who is it for? Children between the ages of 2.5–10 years old who struggle with:
What does it involve?
Where is it offered?
Learn more…
Andrus partners with Encompass, an approximately 17-week treatment for individuals 12+ with co-occurring disorders (mental health and substance use) that utilizes well-established evidence-based best practices for treating co-occurring disorders, including motivational interviewing, contingency management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and medication assisted treatment.
Encompass is offered in select community and school-based settings, with clinical consultation provided by Encompass developer Dr. Paula Riggs and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine.
This is made possible thanks to the award of a Promising Practices grant by WMC Health to Family Services of Westchester in collaboration with the Harris project. Additional support is provided by the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health.
Our Encompass Program is currently being offered at our school-based sites at Peekskill and White Plains High Schools. To learn more about the Encompass Program, please contact our Encompass Leader, Nikki South, at nsouth@jdam.org.
Our Director of School-based Mental Health Services is Erika Rehouse, LCSW-R. Her email is erexhouse@jdam.org. To request services please call our Intake Line at 914-965-1109, ext. 2220.
Yonkers Clinic
Address
35 Dock Street
Yonkers, New York 10701
Phone: 914-965-1109
Fax: 914-965-9705
Schedule
Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 7:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Peekskill Clinic
Address
50 Dayton Lane, Suite 205
Peekskill, New York 10566
Phone: 914-736-3371
Fax: 904-736-3372
Schedule
Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 7:30pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 7:00pm
The Andrus mental health clinics provide services to children, adolescents, adults, and multi-stressed families with children needing psychiatric and therapeutic intervention. If you would like to refer your child for our program, please complete and submit the form below and we will contact you. Eligibility for enrollment Andrus Mental Health Clinics is dependent on the following criteria:
Age Criteria
Insurance Criteria
