Program and Treatment Definitions

Emotional, behavioral, and mental health program

For individuals who struggle with their emotions, behaviors, and/or mental health, we’re passionate about providing the support they need to heal, grow, and thrive—and we’re highly experienced at doing so.

What are emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues?

When a child’s behavior becomes unmanageable—even with high levels of adult intervention, and even when the child is provided love, structure, and protection—that child is most likely experiencing emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues.

We are experts in working with kids who have ongoing emotional and/or behavioral manifestations, like aggression, self-harm, social withdrawal, emotional outbursts, inappropriate social interactions, inability to self-regulate/self-soothe, and suicidal tendencies.

We treat a wide range of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar/manic disorder, PTSD, conduct/oppositional defiant disorder, attachment disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, and more.

Based on each child’s individual and family needs, we use some or all of the following treatment approaches:

• Psychological and Psychiatric Assessments
• Clinical Evaluations
• Therapy – Individual, Family, and Group
• Counseling – Individual, Family, and Group
• Psychoeducation – Individual, Family, and Group
• Psychiatric Oversight (to include Medication Management)
• Experiential Therapy – Sensory, Movement, Sand, Animal Interactions, and Play
• Research-Based Techniques for Trauma Healing: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EDMR) and/or Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
• Daily Activity and Recreation
• Vocational Skill Development
• Education/School (at the appropriate grade and functional level)
• Referrals – for Substance Abuse Treatment and/or Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapies

Sexually problematic behaviors

We specialize in working with youth who demonstrate sexually problematic behaviors. Our treatment programs are based on the most current research and national standards and our focus is on treating the whole child, not just a single issue. We’re committed to breaking the cycle of sexual harm so healing can begin.

What are sexually problematic behaviors?

Sexually problematic behaviors include harmful sexual acts against another person, sexual acts that show signs of becoming harmful, and other forms of acting out sexually.

Effective treatment for sexually problematic behaviors requires a safe, non-judgmental approach, based on empathy, genuineness, and warmth. Concern for those who have been harmed—and their need for respect, healing, empowerment, and ongoing safety—is both the driving force and guiding principle behind our successful treatment of youth with sexually problematic behaviors.

Our treatment has a three-pronged approach:

1. Individualize for every child. Every youth we work with is unique. They each have different reasons for demonstrating sexually problematic behaviors, so they each have a different treatment plan that’s individually tailored to their needs and their family’s needs.
2. Partner for success. We work closely with the child’s family, treatment staff, and any others involved in monitoring the child’s success.
3. Care for the whole person. In order to change sexually problematic behaviors we address the needs and concerns of the whole child. Our holistic approach considers each child’s unique personality, temperament, culture, community, and environment. We address any related mental-health concerns, personal trauma, abuse by others (emotional, physical, or sexual), delays (intellectual, developmental, or educational), social-interaction problems, family stress, relationship problems, medical concerns, substance-abuse behaviors, and other special needs.

Based on each child’s individual and family needs, we use some or all of the following treatment approaches:

• Psychological and Psychiatric Assessments
• Clinical Evaluations
• Therapy – Individual, Family, and Group
• Counseling – Individual, Family, and Group
• Psychoeducation – Individual, Family, and Group
• Psychiatric Oversight (to include Medication Management)
• Experiential Therapy – Sensory, Movement, Sand, Animal Interactions, and Play
• Research-Based Techniques for Trauma Healing: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EDMR) and/or Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
• Daily Activity and Recreation
• Vocational Skill Development
• Education/School (at the appropriate grade and functional level)
• Referrals – for Substance Abuse Treatment and/or Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapies

Intellectually/developmentally delayed and special needs program

When a child is struggling with delays, it can be hard to know how to help. At Nexus, we create a safe space for youth to grow and advance, while gaining the skills and support they need.

What does it mean to be intellectually or developmentally delayed and have special needs?

An intellectual delay or disability can occur for a youth who has an IQ of less than 70–75. This can mean they are a little slower than average to learn new information and will function below their current age.

A developmental delay is a long-term disability that can affect cognitive ability, physical functioning, or both. Brain damage can result in a developmental disability.

What’s the difference between an intellectual and a developmental delay?

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between the two. Both can impact a child’s ability to process and comprehend information. Both can affect a child’s response rates—physically and/or emotionally. Both can slow the pace for learning new information and skills—and retaining it. And both can affect a child’s ability to acclimate to new environments.

The primary difference is that a developmental disability most likely also includes a physical disability, whereas an intellectual delay does not. Whatever the cause, we take care to assess, treat, and attend to the individual needs of each child.

Based on each child’s individual and family needs, we use some or all of the following treatment approaches:

• Psychological and Psychiatric Assessments
• Clinical Evaluations
• Therapy – Individual, Family, and Group
• Counseling – Individual, Family, and Group
• Psychoeducation – Individual, Family, and Group
• Psychiatric Oversight (to include Medication Management)
• Experiential Therapy – Sensory, Movement, Sand, Animal Interactions, and Play
• Research-Based Techniques for Trauma Healing: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EDMR) and/or Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
• Daily Activity and Recreation
• Vocational Skill Development
• Education/School (at the appropriate grade and functional level)
• Referrals – for Substance Abuse Treatment and/or Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapies

Group home

Our group home programs offer a safe, supervised setting in a home-like environment, and foster personal growth on many levels. Youth continue to attend school or vocational training, and they’re encouraged to be involved in community-based extracurricular activities. We also help them connect with other programs offered in the community to meet their ongoing therapy, counseling, and medical health needs.

Youth who qualify for this program have demonstrated self-controlled behavior, as well as the ability to successfully regulate their emotions. After completing the group home program, youth are prepared for safe community living, and have strengthened their independent living skills.

Transitional Living

Moving out of intensive residential treatment is an important time of transition. Our youth need time to practice what they’ve learned—in a less structured, but still highly supportive, environment. Our transitional living program helps prepare youth to successfully return back home or into the community.

We work with the youth to help build job skills, find work, complete educational milestones, manage finances, make daily scheduling decisions, find housing, and enjoy appropriate social and community-based activities. We also help them connect with other programs offered in the community to meet their ongoing therapy, counseling, and medical health needs.

Independent Living

Our independent living programs offer a final step toward independence for older adolescents or young adults who have successfully completed their treatment program or are transitioning out of foster care.

In these programs, youth live on their own with staff offering ongoing support and guidance, performing regular check-ins, and helping the youth setup their adult life with finding work and community resources, continued life skills education, and/or adapting to college life.