Overview of Services

Emerson Centre counsels approximately 175 youths a month from Lincoln and Union Parish, as well as youths from surrounding parishes in North Louisiana.  The youths range in age from elementary school students to high school students.

Graduate and undergraduate students from Louisiana Tech University, Grambling State University, Northwestern State University, and University of Louisiana at Monroe studying family & child studies, marriage & family therapy, criminal justice, sociology, social work and psychology are enlisted to complete internships with Emerson Centre under the supervision of Emerson Centre counselors.

Once a youth has been referred to the program, the youth is contacted by a counselor to set up a meeting for evaluation.  Once the child receives extensive evaluation and assessment, the counselor determines if the youth’s situation requires continued sessions with a staff member of Emerson Centre or if the case will be assigned to a graduate school intern under the supervision of a staff member.  Through the treatment recommendation, each youth has an individual plan developed and tailored for them utilizing therapeutic models that facilitate changes in behavior, cognitions, affect and/or relationships. The amount of time that a youth spends in the program is often determined by the manner in which they were referred to the program.

Based upon the youth’s need as determined through a diagnostic assessment, one of the following or combination of the following therapeutic modalities would be provided. 

• Individual Counseling

For individual counseling, behavioral, social learning, cognitive and gestalt models of therapy are used to change behavior, cognitions, affect and/or relationships.

• Peer Group Therapy

For group therapy, behavioral, social learning, cognitive and gestalt models of therapy are used to change behavior, cognitions, affect and/or relationships.  Psycho educational groups focus on aggression management, social skills, character education, self esteem, developmental issues and family relationships.

• Family Therapy

Family therapy is based upon the Functional Family Therapy model.  The primary goals are to improve family communication and supportiveness while decreasing the intense negativity, to help family members adopt positive solutions to family problems, and to develop positive behavior change and parenting strategies.

• Parent Group Therapy

Psycho educational parent groups focus on parenting skills; opportunities to acquire the skills and resources necessary to care for, guide, and support their children; and developing healthier family relationships.

• Mentoring/Tutoring

Emerson Centre believes providing at-risk youth interaction with positive role models can increase appropriate behavior for the youth.  Emerson Centre also has added an after-school program to our services. Youths receiving tutoring and mentoring and participate in numerous activities including arts and crafts and recreational activities.

Emerson Centre
PO Box 664

Ruston, Louisiana  71273

Telephone:  318-251-9100

   www.emersoncentre.com

Emerson Centre is a Louisiana nonprofit organization.