Autism Therapists in 69101
I enjoy working with children and families who are having difficulty due to challenging behavior. Every individual and family deserves an opportunity to tell their story and work with a provider in order to make life better; I am the person who will listen to your story and then work on a plan to make life better. Not only do I provide the services of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plans, but I will continue to assist your entire family until my services are no longer needed.
I enjoy working with children and families who are having difficulty due to challenging behavior. Every individual and family deserves an opportunity to tell their story and work with a provider in order to make life better; I am the person who will listen to your story and then work on a plan to make life better. Not only do I provide the services of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plans, but I will continue to assist your entire family until my services are no longer needed.
Karen earned a MA in Christian Counseling from Columbia Evangelical Seminary in 2001 and another MA in Community Counseling form Charon State College in 2008 and has been a fully licensed mental health practitioner since 2012. Karen's specialty includes, Abuse and Trauma TBRI Practitioner (Trust Based Relational Intervention), PTSD, Counseling for Families Affected by Disability, Christian Counseling, Divorce Recovery, LGBTQ Counseling, Grief, and Bereavement, Personality Disorders, Senior Adult Counseling, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, Children, and Adolescent with family and individual.
Karen earned a MA in Christian Counseling from Columbia Evangelical Seminary in 2001 and another MA in Community Counseling form Charon State College in 2008 and has been a fully licensed mental health practitioner since 2012. Karen's specialty includes, Abuse and Trauma TBRI Practitioner (Trust Based Relational Intervention), PTSD, Counseling for Families Affected by Disability, Christian Counseling, Divorce Recovery, LGBTQ Counseling, Grief, and Bereavement, Personality Disorders, Senior Adult Counseling, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, Children, and Adolescent with family and individual.
New Beginnings Counseling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PCMSW, PLMHP, PCDGC
Verified Verified
North Platte, NE 69101
It can be hard to reach out in our most vulnerable moments. I feel privileged to meet with individuals in those moments and provide compassionate care and confidence in the healing journey. I have experience working with women, children and teens, older adults, and those struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions and financial stressors, ADHD, and ASD. I have a special interest in working with mothers during and after pregnancy and post-abortion care. I specialize in gambling disorders and can provide counseling for family members as well.
It can be hard to reach out in our most vulnerable moments. I feel privileged to meet with individuals in those moments and provide compassionate care and confidence in the healing journey. I have experience working with women, children and teens, older adults, and those struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions and financial stressors, ADHD, and ASD. I have a special interest in working with mothers during and after pregnancy and post-abortion care. I specialize in gambling disorders and can provide counseling for family members as well.
In 1989, I graduated from the University of University of Southern Mississippi with a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology. I have worked in a wide variety of settings. These include but are not limited to community mental heath centers, medical clinics, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, and multiple group homes for troubled children and adolescents.
In 1989, I graduated from the University of University of Southern Mississippi with a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology. I have worked in a wide variety of settings. These include but are not limited to community mental heath centers, medical clinics, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, and multiple group homes for troubled children and adolescents.
In 1989, I graduated from the University of University of Southern Mississippi with a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology. I have worked in a wide variety of settings. These include but are not limited to community mental heath centers, medical clinics, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, and multiple group homes for troubled children and adolescents. I have been the Counseling Director/Disability Services Director at a community college as well as being a professor of psychology at a university.
In 1989, I graduated from the University of University of Southern Mississippi with a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology. I have worked in a wide variety of settings. These include but are not limited to community mental heath centers, medical clinics, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, and multiple group homes for troubled children and adolescents. I have been the Counseling Director/Disability Services Director at a community college as well as being a professor of psychology at a university.
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Autism Therapists
What is the most effective treatment for autism?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has come to be considered the standard treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, and research has confirmed its effectiveness for many children. Therapists trained in ABA techniques work with children (and their parents) on developing social skills, communication and learning abilities, and everyday habits of hygiene and grooming. The clinician will tailor their program to the child’s particular need but the overarching goal will be to help them advance as far as possible toward independence based on their level of symptoms and decrease the need for additional special services. Families should seek a mental health professional specifically trained in ABA, and holding special certification in the technique, who has extensive experience not only with the approach but in using it with children with the same level of symptoms as the child who needs care.
How does ABA work?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions, which typically focus on positive reinforcement, can be intensive, lasting two or more hours several times a week, and continuing for two years or more. Therapists can also be expected to ask parents to take an active role in reinforcing lessons. Research has found that the technique can lead to major improvements that decrease the need for additional special services.
How does treatment for autism work?
Therapy sessions based on Applied Behavior Analysis will likely be frequent, intensive, and highly structured. After a thorough assessment, a therapist will help a child understand and develop skills in a range of areas, including communication, motor skills, social skills, self-care, play, and academic skills, as well as routines of daily living like hygiene. Typically, the therapist will help a child break down the components of a behavior—often referred to as the antecedent (what prompts an action), the behavior, and the consequence(what immediately follows)—and then reward the child at every step, while also asking parents to reinforce the lessons, and the rewards, throughout the day. This core therapy may be supplemented by occupational or speech therapy, and antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed to address specific severe symptoms.
How long does therapy for autism take?
Some people with autism spectrum disorder may be engaged in some level of therapy for many years, but research shows that treatment will be most effective if it is begun early and delivered intensively. When therapy begins by age 3, children tend to be better able to grasp and adopt the skills needed to manage everyday life, including attending school and establishing social relationships. This type of early-intervention treatment regimen is highly structured, typically involving 20 to 40 hours of one-on-one therapy per week, along with additional hours of engagement managed by parents, for a period of two years or more, although the duration of treatment is dependent on the child’s level of symptoms and pace of progress.