Hillcrest therapists go to local schools where they work with clients during the school day. This means that a child or adolescent can have their regular weekly mental health therapy session at school instead of at the Hillcrest Psychotherapy office.
When a child or adolescent is working with a Hillcrest school-based therapist, the clinical intake process and all payment (insurance or private pay) are processed through Hillcrest Psychotherapy.
Benefits of School-Based Therapy
Often times, it is difficult for families to find therapy services during the after school hours due to long wait lists and difficulty with transportation to and from the session. The school-based model works to address the barrier of accessibility by offering children and adolescents the opportunity to access their therapy session during the school day.
School-based therapists are able to easily collaborate with school counselors and teachers, which helps therapists address school related emotional and behavioral needs during therapy sessions.
Hillcrest school-based therapists practice with a psychodynamic, relational approach with a focus on creative expression and non-directive play therapy. Therapists travel with a fully stocked and thoughtfully designed mobile play therapy cart with a wide range of play things including sand tray, art supplies, puppets, a doll house, board games, books, a diverse fidget collection, clay, and more. This allows children a therapeutic space where they can use play as a form of communication.
How to begin with a Hillcrest school-based clinician?
Hillcrest Psychotherapy Practice is currently partnering with the following schools:
Swift River School — New Salem, MA
Please reach out if you work at a school that is interested in collaborating with Hillcrest