For more than 20 years, Quest Therapeutic Camps has provided innovative treatment programs for children ages 6-18 years old. Thousands of children have made dramatic improvements in behavioral, emotional and social functioning because of Quest’s unique system that combines recreational activities, behavioral therapy and group psychotherapy.
Quest Camp is new to the Pittsburgh region, and designed for children with diagnoses including attention deficit disorder, chronic anxiety, chronic depression and high-functioning Asperger’s syndrome. This past summer, Squirrel Hill Psychological Services and Quest collaborated to offer a unique therapeutic day camp program for children with mild to moderate emotional and social challenges.
Under the leadership of Quest Clinical Director April Artz, MS, NCC, LPC, the Quest After School Program offers an opportunity for children to continue their progress and structure from the summer program throughout the school year. The program can also benefit those who did not participate in the summer program. With the strains of homework and other activities, the program provides a time for participants to strengthen the critical skills associated with emotional and social intelligence.
The After School Program consists of three 10-week sessions each school year. Children and adolescents attend the After School program on Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m. and are grouped based on age and ability. All participants develop their own goals and receive individualized treatment plans. Each session has an activity hour to work with the participants in a naturalistic environment and an hour of small-group therapy to focus on individual goals and group dynamics.
Parent group meetings are held twice per session, and parents receive both written and verbal feedback about their child’s progress. Parents are also given free access to www.directiveparenting.com, an online tool developed by Quest Therapeutic Camps founder Dr. Robert Field.
While the fall session is already underway, the upcoming winter session begins 1/14/13 and runs through 3/22/13, and the spring session dates are 3/25/13 – 6/7/13. Costs vary depending on the number of sessions attended, and group therapy may be reimbursed by your insurance company.
Parent feedback to date has been overwhelmingly positive, and we hope you’ll help us spread the word about this exciting new program available through Squirrel Hill Psychological Services. We encourage you to share this information with your friends, family and communities!
For more information about the Quest After School Program, costs or to register, contact April Artz at 412.877.7528 or aartz@squirrelhillpsych.org.