Early Childhood Mental Health Services
Preventative, Consultative, and Group and Individualized Treatment for Children and their Families
Easterseals pioneered early childhood mental health services in Georgia. For over 20 years, we have provided services to meet the social-emotional needs of children birth to 6 years through education, training, small group, and individualized treatment. ESNG provides treatment to 150-250 children and their families annually in metro Atlanta and Northeast Georgia using evidence-based treatments implemented by licensed clinicians.
Children will receive treatment from a licensed mental health professional at our Early Childhood Centers. Treatment methodologies will include Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) that is Trauma-informed. CCPT is a developmentally responsive, play-based mental health intervention for young children experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, and relational disorders. CCPT is typically delivered in 16-20 weekly, 45-minute individual play sessions.
ESNG offers Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), a heavily studied and validated intervention treatment model for children 0 – 6 years old who have experienced trauma and/or are experiencing mental health or behavioral problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder.
Rani, a participant in our Norcross Head Start Program, initially showcased impressive literacy skills but faced challenges in the Social-Emotional domain. With the guidance of our Mental Health Specialist, Estefania Ali, and utilizing tools like the DECA assessment, we identified areas for improvement. Rani, experiencing physical aggression, also received counseling support.
Simultaneously, Rani joined our Dinosaur School Program, where he learned verbal expression, patience, and self-regulation techniques like belly breathing. The program encouraged kindness towards peers, providing Rani with a platform to openly discuss emotions.
Equipped with these tools, Rani not only excelled at school but also experienced positive changes at home. Today, free from counseling, he thrives in all aspects of his life, showcasing the transformative impact of our Mental Health program.
