Clinical / Therapeutic Programs

We offer a school-wide behaviorally based program, The Teaching Family Model, to help provide emotional and behavioral support to our students, as well as address problem behaviors as they arise. This evidence-based program has been adapted and successfully implemented in the school setting. For more information on the model, please visit our Teaching Family Model page.

With a social worker in each classroom, we are able to provide intensive individual and group counseling, case management, and family support / family counseling.

In addition, we offer many individualized programs and services to our students. For example, students will be taught specific relaxation and other stress control techniques. Or they may participate in play activities that, while fun, are designed to address specific behavioral and emotional needs.

The students are also assessed for our Biofeedback and Neurofeedback program. This program, which uses very sophisticated computer hardware and game-based software, provides additional support in helping students develop greater self-awareness and self-control.

Art Therapy and Music Therapy are also provided for those students who either have interests or talents, or as a way to productively channel emotional experiences. The students may also participate in school-wide projects where they can show off their talents.

The school also provides Speech and Language therapy, as well as Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) program

Garfield Park Academy is excited to announce a new Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) program. The horses are a valuable therapeutic tool because they are "safer" than people to talk to or about. This allows us to use the horses as a tool for emotional growth and learning. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy has been found to be more effective than traditional talk therapy in working with children and at-risk youths. To ensure the emotional and physical safety of the children, EAP is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional that are both certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

The focus of a true Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Program is not riding or horsemanship. It is experiential in nature, which means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing feelings, behaviors, and patterns. Life patterns and issues tend to surface quickly because EAP relies on non-verbal communication skills with the horses. Non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking, problem solving, leadership work, taking responsibility, teamwork and relationships, confidence, and attitude are several examples of the tools utilized and developed by EAP.