Therapist: Jody Herlow Company: Family Life Counseling

Therapist: Jody Herlow

Company: Family Life Counseling Center, Mansfield, Ohio

Date of Interview: September 27, 2011

the population they serve

Jodi Herlow is a family therapist and behavioral specialist at Family Life Counseling Center, which is a multi-discipline service. Their practice services the general population and includes both those on public assistance, those with private insurance, and self-pay clients. Their services include a transitions program for adults 55 years and older who have gone to changes in their life and are experiencing adjustment problems. Their services include financial coaching, drug and alcohol abuse problems, and sexual abuse problems for clients of all ages. They also offer a multi-systemic therapy program to help adolescents with behavior problems improve in all areas of their life.

2-The most common diagnosis/diagnosis they see

The most common diagnosis seen in the practice is in the multi-systemic therapy (MST) area of the practice. The most typical age for this program is teens ranging in age from 10 years through age 18. Sometimes the parents of the child refer them to the program, but most often it is through the juvenile court system or through the school systems that clients in this program come to them. Their services are a court approved provider of behavioral therapy for troubled youth.

Many of the youth that are referred for treatment through the program are suspected to have psychological problems such as Attention Deficit Disorder, school issues, anger issues, substance abuse problems. However, more times than not, the problem tends to be a problem involving the many family and social systems in which the youth is involved. Therefore, the entire family must enter into the program to support the youth who was referred to us.

3.-What theorist(s) inform their practice.

According to Jody, the works of B.F. Skinner forms the foundation of much of the behavior modification that takes place within the family. Modern theories of motivation also play a key role in the practice. The program is action oriented and focused on controlling behaviors, as well as resolving emotional conflicts that lead to them. However, because most of the problems involve behaviors at school, behavior modification is the foundation of the initial intervention. Many of the emotional issues and family systemic issues are dealt with later on in the program. The program builds on behavior modification using goals and motivational rewards as a foundation.

4-What books do they read

Because the practice is Christian based, much of the reading involves how to blend psychological principles into a Christian lifestyle. However, not all the clients that we see are Christian and we cannot use the religious aspect in the practice. A majority of the reading tends to be from magazines and academic journals. Anything that has to do with boundaries, family systems, and updates on motivational theory are on the reading list.

5-What seminars/conferences do they attend?

Jody does not really attend many conferences or seminars. They have a Monday morning staff meeting where various staff members share the latest research. Each staff member must take their turn providing an informational talk about a recent topic that affects their practice. Jody plans to take a temporary leave of the practice to do missionary work in Africa. She expects that this will lead to professional and personal growth. She expects to bring back many new experiences that will help her practice when she returns.

6-What intervention(s) they recommend/implement.

The intervention that is implemented depends on the problem for which the person presented. Regardless of the problem, their practice demands that the intervention be goal oriented in that it moves towards a specific behavior, or cessation of a certain behavior. Action oriented interventions are the focus in all areas of the practice.

One of the keys is to find out what "drives" the person to the undesirable behaviors for which they seek help. The key to stopping any behavior is to find out the factors that contribute to it. The practice is based on focusing on the positive aspects of the person and their behaviors, as well as building on their strengths, both as individuals and families. Families work together to support the person by learning and practicing new habits of interaction with each other. The exact intervention depends on the child's age and the functioning within the family. It is based on behavior modification, but goes beyond basic punishment and reward.

7-Their rationale for recommending/implementing the intervention(s)

Interventions at the center do not use a cookie cutter method of therapy. All of the therapists are required to be versed in numerous techniques and theories. The practice is based on the rationale that everyone is an individual and has different motivational factors that affect their behavior. Behavior modification is the backbone of the program, but to use simple reward and punishment is not enough. The focus of the program is defined in an individual's motivations and rewards that will work for them. It is a very personalized approach and therapists must implement whatever they think will best fit the situation.