UMass Amherst Expands Psychological Services Available to Area Children, Adolescents and Families

Sept. 20, 2000

AMHERST, Mass. - The Psychological Services Center (PSC) at the University of Massachusetts will offer a variety of new intervention programs this fall to help children, adolescents, and families cope with a number of problems. These new programs are group services designed to help parents and children deal with some of the stresses of family life.

Groups will begin meeting in October, and will include 10-15 individuals. Each group will meet for a set number of sessions, and will be led by a doctoral student in the child-clinical psychology program, under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at UMass. The fee for group services is $15 per individual per session.

The following groups will be offered this fall:

* Parenting group for parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This group will help parents learn to cope with raising hyperactive children between the ages of 6 and 12. 10 sessions, Thursdays, 6-7:15 p.m., starting Oct. 26.

* Parenting group for parents of preschool children. This group is for parents who want to build more positive relationships with preschoolers who have difficulties with defiance and/or aggression. 10 sessions, Mondays, 6-7:15 p.m., starting Oct. 23.

* Anxiety group for children. This program is designed specifically for children between the ages of 9 and 12 who experience high levels of anxiety or worry. 15 sessions, Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m., starting Oct. 25. (Additional $20 fee for workbook.)

* Adolescent stress and coping group. For teen-agers between 14 and 17 who need help coping with stress in their lives. 15 sessions, Mondays, 6-7:15 p.m., starting Oct. 23.

In addition to group programs, individual services are available at PSC for anyone in the community experiencing problems with anxiety, depression, ADHD, children's behavior problems, marital conflict, parent-teen conflict, and stressful life events. Individual services are offered on a sliding-fee scale based on family income. For information on group or individual services, call the PSC at 413/545-0041.

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