Success Over Anxiety
Students majoring in Anxiety Disorders Management are showing positive results in treatment, no doubt a result of their hard work! Recently, Anxiety Disorders Management majors who had participated in the New Lifestyles program more than six months took a second Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)1.The average score (T-score) on the Anxiety Scale for these students was 68.75 at the first administration of the test. At the second administration, this score decreased 8 points to 60.75. The average score on the Anxiety Related Disorders scale was initially 64.75, which decreased to 58 upon second administration.
The average number of highly elevated (T-scores 70 or above) Clinical and Treatment Scales2 was initially 4.75. This number dropped to an average of 1 upon second administration. The average number of highly elevated Anxiety/Anxiety Related Disorders subscales was 2.25 at first testing (out of a possible 6), and this score decreased to an average of 1 at second administration. That’s a decrease of over 50% !
Great job students!
1The PAI is an objective psychological test designed to provide information relevant to diagnoses and treatment planning. Students initially take this test during the interview process.
2 The PAI includes 11 clinical scales, including an Anxiety scale and Anxiety Related Disorders Scale, and 4 Treatment Scales. The Treatment Scales include Aggression, Suicidality, Stress, Non-Support and Treatment Rejection. The Anxiety Scale and Anxiety Related Disorders Scale are further broken down into 6 subscales.
PAI Anxiety Scale Descriptions:
Anx: Measures the reported experience of anxiety, which can range from chronic worry, feelings of anxious anticipation, and physical symptoms of anxiety.
Anx: Cog: More specifically measures the reported worry, ruminative thought processes and ability to concentrate.
Anx-Aff: More specifically measures the report of tension, difficulty relaxing and feeling at ease, as well as stress-related fatigue.
Ans:-Phy: The experience of anxiety and stress in physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, shaky hands, etc.
ARD: Measures the reported experience of 3 areas related to anxiety disorders: problematic experiences stemming from a traumatic event, obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors, and specific fears (phobias).
ARD-OBS: More specifically measures the tendency to follow rigid guidelines for behavior, show excessive attention to detail, perfectionism, fear contamination and engage in rituals.
ARD-PHO: Assesses several common phobias such as fear of heights and social situations.
ARD-TRA: Measures reactions to traumatic events, including symptoms such as nightmares and startle responses.
T scores of 60-69 are clinically significant. T scores of 70 and above are 2 standard deviations above the norm-highly elevated.
A Collegiate Journey
Building on the foundation of a clinically-intensive transitional living program for young adults, New Lifestyles staff has restructured graduation requirements that now more closely approximate a college experience. Therapeutic, educational, and career goals have been synthesized into disciplines and majors that simulate a higher-educational system. Contact Jon Young (540 722 4521 x 221) today for details on how our new collegiate system will work. Contact Kaye Rush (540 340 0797 x 12) for admissions information.
Posted June 3, 2010
Academic Progress
Two students, enrolled at Lord Fairfax Community College, have completed the academic requirements for a certified credential. Following a state exam, both will be eligible for employment in a host of medical settings. Our academic tutor reports continuing progress for students enrolled in GED preparatory classes, Shenandoah University courses, and a home school graduation curriculum. If you have questions about tutorial services or local schools, please contact Jon Young, 540 722 4521.
Posted June 2010
ISPA Dinner Held at IECA Conference
The Independent Small Programs Alliance (ISPA), of which New Lifestyles is a charter member, held its tri-annual dinner for Educational Consultants and member programs on Friday, May 14, 2010. The dinner was held at The National Club, in Toronto, Ontario. With good food and great company the dinner was quite a success. During the event, educational consultant Rhea Wolfram recieved a lifetime achievment award from the organization.
Thanks to Andy Anderson of the ISPA for putting it all together. ISPA is a strategic alliance of smaller, independent programs from across the country that have joined together to provide the best possible services in education, treatment and therapy for children, adolescents and adults.
Posted May 24,2010
New Lifestyles Representatives Attend IECA Conference
The President and founder of New Lifestyles, Dr. Kenneth Cuave, and the New Lifestyles Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Jonathan Young, recently attended the Spring conference for the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). IECA is a national organization whose members work with clients seeking placement in a variety of schools and programs.
The annual conference featured several days of sessions where industry professionals presented on a variety of topics relating to all areas of the therapeutic programs' industry. In addition, there were many opportunities to meet with colleagues to share therapeutic and programmatic ideas. One of the great features of the conference is the information swap. During thie swap, programs are available to speak with consultants and other programs of the latest developments at their respective facililties.
Posted May 24,2010
Welcome Sarah Wolfberg, PsyD
Sarah Wolfberg, Psy.D.
Resident in Psychology/Psychotherapist
has recently joined us from the League of Therapists, where she served as the agency's Psychological Assessment Coordinator since October of 2008, while also providing intensive in-home family therapy using a Structural Family Therapy model. Dr. Wolfberg completed her predoctoral internship at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children, with a primary rotation at the Chesterfield Community Service board and her predoctoral residencies at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Bridge View Extended Therapeutic Day School, and United Stand Family Counseling Center, all of which emphasized child, adolescent, group, and family-focused interventions. Dr. Wolfberg has conducted comprehensive psychological assessments with adults, adolescents and children with a wide range of presenting difficulties, and has provided adolescent-focused treatment utilizing individual, family, and group therapy modalities. In addition to her clinical work, she volunteered as a group facilitator at the Center for Grieving Children in Portland, Maine, where she predominantly worked with recent Sudanese and Somali immigrants. She also participated in a clinical research trial involving the treatment of individuals with specific phobias utilizing virtual reality equipment. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology/ Argosy University Chicago, after graduating with honors from the Blitstein Teacher's Institute, where she received Bachelor of Arts degrees in both psychology and Bible studies. Prior to this, she attended the Darchei Binah Seminary for Women in Jerusalem, Israel, where she completed a two-year Judaic studies program. Dr. Wolfberg's therapeutic approach is based on cognitive-behavioral, attachment, and family systems theories, and her primary clinical interests include psychological assessment; positive psychology; narrative and solution-focused therapies; interpersonal process; trauma-focused therapy; and the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders.
Posted February 18, 2010
Paul Hill, PsyD Receives Clinical Psychologist License
New Lifestyles is pleased to announce that Paul
M. Hill, PsyD, obtained licensure to practice clinical psychology in the Commonwealth of Virginia in May 2009. Dr. Hill has been with New Lifestyles since beginning his predoctoral internship in August of 2006. Since then, he has completed his postdoctoral residency and served as our Intake Clinician. Recently, Dr. Hill has assumed the role of Director of Assessment and Admissions. In addition to managing intake and assessment services, Dr. Hill supervises New Lifestyles outcome data collection and evaluation.
Posted October 7, 2009
