Programs and Services
Individual Psychotherapy
CAMP psychiatrists and psychologists rely heavily on empirically-supported treatments. We specialize in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Behavioral Activation (BA) for depression and anxiety, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion dysregulation and self-harm. We often ask parents to meet with the clinician along with their child for the initial session, during which the clinician gathers information about the child and family to acquire a better understanding of the presenting problems, to establish treatment goals, and to orient the family to therapy. Commitment to therapy is essential to successful treatment. Research studies tell us that patients who regularly keep their appointments and complete therapy homework outside of sessions make the most progress in achieving their treatment goals.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Our CAMP-related board-certified child psychiatrists conduct thorough and thoughtful evaluations that incorporate information provided by families, schools, and other health care providers to determine if medication is necessary in treating your child's presenting problems. These psychiatrists make treatment decisions based on the child's diagnostic picture, current functioning, and family history. All treatment providers at CAMP use an interdisciplinary approach, and our staff meets weekly to discuss cases and ensure that everyone treating the child (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists) follows the established treatment plan effectively. These psychiatrists focus on evidence-based treatments involving psychosocial interventions along with medication management. CAMP-related psychiatrists are skilled in the management of common childhood psychiatric illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. CAMP psychiatrists monitor medication through regular appointments, the frequency of which is determined based on the symptoms and medication profile. Medical and laboratory work-ups also may be indicated depending on the type of medications prescribed.
Parent Skills Training
Our clinicians provide parent skills training, which is conducted with parents only. These sessions are designed to help parents with behavioral strategies such as limit setting, contingency management, and improved communication skills. Most often, parents seek treatment in the midst of experiencing one or more crises, and they often report feeling "stuck in a rut." Developmental milestones, such as having a child start high school, often trigger parent-child difficulties. Many parents also have difficulties around times of divorce, separation, or blending of new family members such as stepchildren. We also offer parent skills training in group format as part of our DBT program. For more information, see below.
Group Therapy
Interpersonal Skills Group for Adolescents
NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLING
CAMP offers an Interpersonal Skills Group for Adolescents. This 8-week skills group is designed for teens ages 13-17 who are experiencing difficulties in their peer and/or family relationships. The focus of the group is on teaching teens communication and interpersonal problem-solving skills to help improve their relationships and mood. Teens in the program will learn skills that will help them:
- reduce negative interactions with peers/parents
- develop more effective communication skills
- increase interpersonal problem-solving skills
- manage conflict, disagreements, and bullying
- improve empathy and perspective-taking abilities
- cultivate more positive and satisfying relationships
We are currently enrolling for January 2018. For additional information, please click here or contact Dr. Allison LoPilato at anmacdo@emory.edu.
Anxiety Disorders Treatment Program
CAMP offers a Skills Training Group for Children with Anxiety Disorders. The skills group, which uses a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach, is designed primarily for children ages 8 to 11 with symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, and/or Separation Anxiety Disorder. Children in the program learn skills that help them:
- identify different feelings/emotions
- recognize signs and symptoms of anxiety
- improve their ability to cope with stressful situations
- challenge irrational and worry thoughts
- solve problems and deal with teasing
- increase assertiveness
The program also encourages parental involvement through psychoeducational parent group sessions and individual parent consultations. For additional information, please click here.
Healthy Eating and Weight Services
Healthy Eating and Weight Services (HEWS) at Emory provides specialist services for eating and weight concerns. Treatment is informed by CBT and DBT as well as AAT (Appetite Awareness Training).
The following services are available for individuals ages 7-25 (and Emory students of any age):- Outpatient Individual Therapy for excessive restriction, compensatory behavior, binge-and overeating, and overconcern with weight/shape
- Weight Management
- Family-Based Therapy
- Meal Support
- Group Therapy (group specification and recruitment will begin Fall 2014)
Services are provided by Dr. Erin Jones, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist at CAMP.
Assessment
CAMP offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinical evaluations for children and adolescents ages 6 - 18, including:
- Diagnostic Evaluations: depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, adjustment difficulties, etc.
- Intelligence Testing: intellectual ability, cognitive strengths and weaknesses
- Learning/Academic Assessment: learning disorders, academic strengths and weaknesses, academic planning
- Integrated Written Report: comprehensive written evaluation of functioning and related recommendations for your records or to share with school personnel, therapist, pediatrician, etc.
Psychological testing with reliable and valid instruments can provide a "snap shot" of your child's functioning across multiple domains of their life (i.e., social, emotional, academic). Our goal is to provide a personalized profile of your child's strengths and weaknesses and individually tailored recommendations for intervention, if necessary. We would be happy to sit down with you and answer your questions about psychological testing and suggest the most appropriate evaluation for your individual needs.