Traditional and Non-Traditional Therapy Services Offered at Jewish Family Services

Charlotte Jewish News February 2022

By Rachel Green, JFS Director of Programs and Services

Promoting emotional health and well-being has long been at the heart of Jewish Family Services’ (JFS) commitment to our community. JFS offers mental health services for individuals of all ages, working with children, teens, parents, adults, and seniors to address life’s many challenges. JFS commits to serving each client individually, meeting them where they are and working with them as a team to bring healing and hope. During the past two years, this commitment has grown even stronger, and with good reason.

In late 2021, Dr. Vivel Murthy, U.S. surgeon general, issued an advisory to bring attention to the urgent need to address the nation’s youth mental health crisis. “Mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real and widespread. Even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide — and rates have increased over the past decade,” he said. “The COVID-19 pandemic further altered their experiences at home, school, and in the community, and the effect on their mental health has been devastating. The future well-being of our country depends on how we support and invest in the next generation.” (https://www. hhs.gov).

The COVID-19 pandemic has had sweeping effects on the mental health across other age groups as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Surveys show a major increase in the number of U.S. adults who report symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia during the pandemic, compared with surveys before the pandemic.” (https://www. mayoclinic.org). JFS offers an array of services aimed at addressing these challenges.

Therapy services, also called “counseling” services, are offered both in person and via a private and confidential telehealth platform. For some clients, especially seniors, meeting in their home may be the best fit. For others with busy schedules or transportation challenges, or folks who continue to socially distance at a higher level, using telehealth continues to offer the flexibility and access they need.

Individual therapy involves the client working one-on-one with the therapist, creating a plan, setting goals, and knowing they have a safe and confidential space to explore their experiences. Family therapy involves two or more family members working together to improve communication, address family challenges, and create more “shalom in the home” for everyone. Couples counseling involves members of the couple working as a team with their therapist to strengthen communication and build skills to work together as a cohesive unit. Parenting sessions focus on learning new skills and techniques to help children grow and flourish, no matter the circumstance.

JFS therapists are trained in several types of therapy practices, including Triple P Parenting, which is an evidence-based parenting program and can be used with parents and caregivers of children ages 18 months-18 years. JFS also has therapists specifically trained in trauma and trauma recovery. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is considered one of the most effective therapy treatments to help clients heal from traumatic events in their lives. JFS’ newest therapist, Sara Scheibner, is trained and certified as a “quality-rated” CPT provider and has practiced the model for several years.

In addition to these more “traditional” therapy styles, JFS has recently been awarded a grant through Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA) to provide programming for senior adults who have experienced trauma. The JFS Senior Engagement Team has developed a series of interactive healing workshops, using trauma-sensitive providers, including therapeutic music, yoga, and creative arts classes to offer a non-traditional choice for seniors seeking support and healing after the last two years of isolation and difficulty. The program focuses on both recent trauma (as many experienced loss and isolation during COVID) as well as more traditional concepts of trauma experienced during the lifetime (wartime, domestic violence, accident, loss of a loved one through suicide or violence, Holocaust survival).

The workshops will be open to senior adults (60+) starting in May 2022 and include a “Healing Through Movement” series with a trauma-sensitive yoga instructor, a “Healing Through Music” series with a trauma-trained music therapist, and a “Healing Through Creative Arts” series with a healing arts facilitator. The workshops will be offered at the Levine Jewish Community Center and another community center in Charlotte, as the JFNA grant includes an expansion of services to a diverse population of seniors.

JFS’ tagline is “Engaging, Connecting, Healing,” and the range of traditional and non-traditional therapy services offered aim to do all three. If you or someone you know needs support or is interested in the upcoming healing workshops for seniors, please call JFS at (704) 364-6594 or email info@ jfscharlotte.org.