Meet Our Staff:
AnneMarie Cox, M.S. CPS,
Youth Counselor Youth Services Coordinator, Prevention Specialist (School Psychologist)
More details to come |
What do our staff credentials mean?
MFT: The commonly used psychological reference MFT stands for Marriage and Family Therapy (or Marriage and Family Therapist). Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals who have received thorough training, at the graduate level, in psychotherapy and family systems. Upon completion of a rigorous, fully accredited training program the MFT may obtain licensure, which grants them the ability to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the framework of marriage, couples and family systems. What Training is Required to Become an MFT? Marriage and family therapists are highly experienced practitioners, with highly specialized training. MFTs must have graduate level training and secure either a master’s or doctoral degree (depending upon state requirements) in marriage and family therapy and a minimum of two years of clinical experience. Each potential Marriage and Family Therapist must become familiar with the licensing laws in their state before choosing whether a master’s or doctoral level degree is right for their academic needs. What are the Responsibilities of an MFT? Marriage and family therapists are responsible for evaluating and treating mental and emotional disorders, as well as other mental health and behavioral issues. The often address a wide range of relationship issues within the context of a family system. They widen the scope of the more traditional focus on the needs of an individual, instead focusing on the nature and role of individuals influenced by relationship networks such as within a marriage or a family. Many professional MFTs subscribe to a more multidisciplinary perspective to mental health concerns, focusing on the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families. Youth Counselor: Youth counselors work for a variety of employers, including educational institutions, religious organizations and social services agencies. Job Duties Job duties of youth counselors vary depending on their specialty and employer. Generally, they supervise and interact with children or teenagers, assisting them in resolving problems and ensuring their physical and emotional needs are being met. Youth counselors may specialize in a mental health area such as childhood depression, abuse or ADHD. Other youth counselors specialize in working with people with disabilities, and substance abuse youth counselors help youngsters overcome addiction issues. Interviewing clients and their families, meeting with them regularly and referring them for other social services are some of a youth counselor’s typical responsibilities. Scheduling and coordinating activities, meeting with social workers and other professionals, writing reports and completing client paperwork are also important aspects of this position. A youth counselor may work in multiple settings, including schools, correctional facilities, group residential homes, hospitals, clinics, juvenile detention centers, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, government agencies and private practices. Youth counselors may work independently or as part of a team of psychologists, social workers and teachers. School Psychologist in a municipal practice: The Practice of School Psychology in the Private Sector: Most school psychologists practice within the public school sector, but some also practice within the private sector. Practice in the private sector is regulated by both the Principles for Professional Ethics (NASP, 2000b) and Connecticut state statute. Connecticut General Statutes Section 20-193 through 20-195, which govern the activities of psychologists and restricts the use of the title “psychologist,” specifies those professional services that school psychologists may provide in the private sector: Nothing in this chapter shall prevent any person who holds a standard or Professional Educator Certificate, granted by said board, as school psychologist or school psychological examiner from using such title to describe his activities within the private sector. Such activities within the private sector shall be limited to: 1) Evaluation, diagnosis, or test interpretation limited to assessment of intellectual ability, learning patterns, achievement, motivation, or personality factors directly related to learning problems in an educational setting; 2) short-term professional advisement and interpretive services with children or adults for amelioration or prevention of educationally related problems; 3) educational or vocational consultation or direct educational services to schools, agencies, organizations or individuals, said consultation being directly related to learning problems; and 4) development of educational programs such as designing more efficient and psychologically sound classroom situations and acting as a catalyst for teacher involvement in adaptations and innovations. [C.G.S. Section 20-195(h)] CPS: CPS – Certified Prevention Specialist utilizes “a proactive process of helping individuals, families and communities to develop the resources and capacities needed to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles.” For this reason, prevention practitioners of any category may become certified as Prevention Professionals. In order to become certified as a CPS, a candidate must demonstrate they have completed appropriate education, training, and supervised experience relevant to the treatment of addiction. |
Susan J. Lawshe, J.D., M.A.,LMFT
East Granby YSB Coordinator Individual, family and group counseling. Positive youth development programming. East Granby Youth Services (860) 653-7800 Brita Gotberg
Program Coordinator : Women on the Way (WOW) and the Youth Action Council (YAC) |
