THERAPY
Persons seeking therapy services will participate in an intake process to make sure their individual needs are appropriately identified and addressed. We work to expedite this process for people who are in immediate need or crisis and provide triage services in such cases.
Once initial service needs are identified, the therapists work to complete a comprehensive assessment, with the participant, to identify their individual treatment goals, objectives and hoped-for outcomes. The treatment plan serves as the guide by which participant and therapist work together, utilizing evidence-based treatment techniques to address the participant's stated needs.
We provide quality clinic services through our outpatient therapy program. Each program participant receives a comprehensive evaluation of their strengths, supports and functional abilities, which coupled with their stated treatment goals, serves as a guide for treatment.
Our team of licensed therapists employs only evidence-based therapy techniques. Each of our therapists has a unique set of skills and abilities and together they provide a well-rounded array of clinical support. We work collaboratively with other professionals to ensure all the needs of program participants are met and to coordinate care to achieve desired outcomes.
We also offer groups for special interests and needs, including parenting and psycho-education groups.
PHYSICIAN SERVICES AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
Family Support Services contracts with Dr. David Wait, a Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist who is our Medical Director and supervises our adult program, Dr. Duane Craddock, a physician with Coeur d’Alene Pediatrics who supervises our children's program and Dr. Susan Jones who adds additional support for those patients not requiring medication management.
These doctors are independent physicians contracted for medication management support as well as individual case supervision. Dr. Wait and Dr. Craddock/Coeur d’Alene Pediatrics, provide Family Support Services with ongoing case supervision as well as medication management services for those program participants who are in need of psychiatric medications as an adjunct to other clinic services.
THERAPY GROUPS
Family Support Services therapists provide clinical therapy groups in a number of areas based on the need of program participants. These can range from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy groups, Mindfulness groups, Cognitive Behavioral groups, to Depression and Mood Disorder groups. These groups are provided based on need and interest, with the understanding that group treatment is one of the most efficient methods of mental health disorders.
PARENT EDUCATION GROUPS
The complex nature of family systems provides a rich opportunity to work with groups. Family Support Services provides group experiences that teach proven parenting strategies for children of all ages. Through the group experience, participants give and receive support for positive change and growth. Program activities, guided discussion, and therapeutic interventions provide an effective environment for family members to gain a new perspective of their own abilities, while identifying and understanding common patterns of behavior through creative and innovative approaches.
Jodi Smith, M.Ed., CPRP, LPC along with Pascale Cafferty, M.S., have owned Family Support Services since 2000. What started out as a small, home and community-based mental health program has grown into a multi-faceted mental health and developmental disabilities agency. In 2008, we opened the Circle of Care Developmental Preschool and in 2009, we expanded to include A Developing Mind Montessori Elementary School. Jodi has a master's degree in counseling and human services for the University of Idaho and has been working in the mental health field since 1990. She also holds the credential of Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and has served as chair of the Idaho Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, as well as on many local state and national committees aimed at improving mental health services for Idahoans. She lives in Coeur d'Alene with her husband, Wes and their two boys. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children's sporting events, reading and cooking.
Tracey Sutton, MSW, LCSW began work with children and families in 1991 when she was the ExecutiveDirector of a small not-for-profit corporation in Sandpoint, Idaho. From there she worked for therapeutic boarding schools in Vermont and finally decided to further her education, receiving an MSW from Smith College School for Social Work. This led to work in a children’s psychiatric hospital in Rhode Island where she served as an individual, family and group therapist for five years. Tracey is committed to helping individuals understand their own behaviors and teaching effective skills that offer support during difficult times.
Tracey is the parent of two adult children and one active and curious grandson. She loves kayaking on the lakes, camping, working with beads, travel to tropical places and spending time with family and friends.
Laura Taylor, MSW, LCSW earned her Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Social Work in 2001. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is registered with the state of Idaho as a social work supervisor. Laura works with young children, adolescents, adults and families. Her passion is in helping clients heal from traumatic events. Laura is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Karen Toerne, M.Ed., Ed.S. has lived in Coeur d'Alene for five years with her daughter and her two dogs. Karen enjoys spending her spare time doing yoga, hiking, dancing, and surrounding herself with family and friends. Karen is a graduate of the University of Idaho. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in dance and continued her studies earning two advanced degrees, a Master's of Education in Counseling and Human Services, and an Education Specialist in School Psychology. Karen currently works part time in the Coeur d'Alene School District as a school psychologist and part-time as a licensed professional counselor. She specializes in mindfulness base therapies and utilizing techniques that incorporate body, mind, and spirit. She is currently studying somatic psychology and integrating these principles into her work with children and adolescents.
Liz Johnston, M.Ed., LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Idaho. She developed and facilitated self and career development curriculum with middle school children, and has worked with children in K – 12th grades to enhance individual and family resilience and healthy communication. She has worked with groups of children to teach skills and provide support through trauma and challenging family transitions. Liz has received training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Intensive Behavioral Intervention, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She began working at Family Support Services in 2006 as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, and is currently a therapist focusing on treatment of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and family dynamics.
Liz lives with a teenaged son and her husband of 25 years. She enjoys volunteering, camping, kayaking, gardening, bird-watching, exploring new places with her family, and continuing her education.
Kristina L. Nicholas Anderson is a Licensed Masters level Social Worker and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner. Although she works with adolescents and adults with a myriad of mental and behavioral health disorders, she is probably best known for her work with individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. She has extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. "Bear" is her therapy dog.
Laura Sferra, MA has a Master's degree in counseling psychology and has been a licensed counselor in Idaho since 1996. She has worked in the mental health field since 1990 in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She specializes in eating disorders, body and weight issues, in addition to general mental wellness. Laura utilizes a holistic approach to counseling which weaves in physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. She has completed 200 hours of yoga teacher training and offers yoga as a form of therapy in both group and individual settings.
CLINIC SERVICES
