Drug & Alcohol Assessment & Treatment – SASSI & PESQ

At Life Steps we have Therapists who are certified and experienced to conduct assessments and counsel on Drug and Alcohol issues. Assessment is a vital first step to recovery. Our staff can offer specific screening tools which can be utilized by concerned family members, employers, attorneys and even treatment facilities.

The SASSI (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory), is one of the most widely used proprietary screening tools in the United States. This tool is different from others; it contains both subtle and face valid items validated to screen for high or low probability of having a substance use disorder. Described as effective in identifying those in denial or deliberately trying to conceal their substance use, it is longer than brief face valid screens.

The PESQ (Personal Experience Screening Questionnaire) is a 40-item substance abuse screening instrument to be used with 12 to 18 year olds. The PESQ includes a scale that measures the severity of the drinking problem, drug use history, select psycho social problems, and response distortion tendencies.

Our staff with work with you to determine how to best treat the individual for his or her substance abuse or addiction.

Brief Therapy

At Life Steps we offer short term solution focused therapy to focus on current and future circumstances. Whether you come in individually or through your employer’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), we are here to help you address issues associated with life adjustments, relationship struggles or work concerns.

Eating Disorder Treatment

Whether you are using food as a comfort, trying to restrict your food intake to gain a sense of control, or binge eating in an attempt to stuff your feelings; coping with life thru these behaviors can have a detrimental impact on your life physically and emotionally. Treatment will help normalize your eating patterns, help you understand the maintenance of the eating issues and develop healthier coping methods. It’s also important to address body image issues or distortions that accompany Eating Disorders. The individual or family effected can be a part of this treatment process.

Group Counseling

Group counseling provides an opportunity to explore specific concerns or issues with a small group of people who meet regularly to discuss, interact and explore problems with each other and the group leader. Group counseling seeks to give people a safe and comfortable place where they can work out problems and emotional concerns. Topics of focus can include anger, grief, teen issues, and parenting. A Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) group will be added soon. Contact the office to inquire about current groups available and to indicate interest.

Play Therapy

We offer a safe comfortable playroom, where children are encouraged to engage in free expression which allows the Therapist to observe the child’s choices, decisions, and play style. Play therapy is a means to help children learn to communicate their feelings, express themselves in healthy ways, become more respectful and empathetic, and discover new and more positive ways to solve problems.

Family Counseling

Families can benefit from therapy when they experience any life change or stressful event that may strain family relationships, or negatively affect family closeness, structure, or communication. Family therapy can also be effective in treating mental health concerns which impact the family as a whole such as depression, substance abuse, chronic illness, food issues or everyday concerns like communication problems, interpersonal conflict or behavioral problems in children and adolescents.

Couples / Marital Counseling

There can be a variety of challenges in marital relationships. Our therapists will work with couples to identify concerns impacting the harmony and closeness of the relationship. We can help identify interaction patterns hindering the relationship, examine communication issues, and address infidelity or parenting concerns. We will focus on improving communication skills, developing conflict resolution skills and reestablish cohesiveness in the relationship.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling is a collaborative process through which clients work one-on-one with a trained mental health clinician in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. Whether you are dealing with anger, anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, relationship issues or trauma, we can help you identify aspects of your life you would like to change, help you better understand yourself and others, then work toward a desired change. It is an opportunity to receive support and experience growth during challenging times.