Matilda Theiss Early Childhood Outpatient Program

The goals of the Matilda Theiss Early Childhood Mental Health Outpatient Program (ECMH OP) are to provide:

• comprehensive and developmentally appropriate diagnostic evaluations.
• appropriate and thoughtful treatment recommendations for young children.
• effective treatment by clinicians experienced in early childhood mental health.

Population Served

Services Offered

Diagnostic Assessment 

Evidence-Based Treatment

• Fewer, less intense child behavior concerns and increased positive behaviors.
• An improved relationship between children, families, and caregivers.
• Less parental stress and frustration. 

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a family centered treatment approach for children ages 2 to 7 with disruptive behavior. PCIT has also been used with abused and at-risk children ages 2 to 12. PCIT has proved to be an effective therapy with all caregivers —  birth parents, adoptive parents, or foster or kin caregivers. During PCIT, parents learn strategies that will enhance the parent-child relationship and promote positive behaviors in children.

Child-Centered Individual Play Therapy (CCPT)

Child-Centered Individual Play Therapy (CCPT) is available as an individual outpatient service. CCPT or non-directive play therapy is a developmentally appropriate and play-based mental health treatment approach for young children ages 3 to 10 who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral and relational disorders. Through play, the therapeutic relationship is used to provide a safe, consistent environment in which a child can process their emotions and experience full acceptance, empathy, and understanding.

Foundations of Theraplay^®

Theraplay is a dyadic child and family therapy that has been recognized by the Association of Play Therapy as one of the seminal psychotherapies for children. Developed over 50 years ago, and practiced around the world, Theraplay was developed for any professional working to support healthy child/caregiver attachment. Strong attachment between the child and the important adults in their life has long been believed to be the basis of lifelong good mental health as well as the mainstay of resilience in the face of adversity. Modern brain research and the field of neuroscience have shown that attachment is the way in which children come to understand, trust and thrive in their world.

Theraplay^® is a registered service mark of The Theraplay® Institute, Chicago, IL, USA.

Incredible Years Small Group Therapy

The Incredible Years Small Group Dina Treatment Program, designed for young children and their parents, targets social-emotional growth, academic readiness, and anger management. This treatment program will be used primarily as part of group therapy sessions that are held once per week for 1.5 hours (one group for children and a simultaneous group for caregivers). Individual lessons can also be implemented during individual or family therapy.