OUR SERVICES
ART
Art group is designed to assist clients of all ages to identify and express their thoughts, feelings, emotions, ambitions and more through different art projects and activities. More than art, using activities such as drawing, painting, collages, clay molding, etc. the group provides the opportunity for clients to learn, build and implement social skills, develop coping skills, and other techniques useful in managing their diagnosis.
Excel Youth's groups are designed to use creative activities to engage clients while teaching skills needed to manage their diagnosis and reduce maladaptive behaviors. An example of these groups include social skills, coping skills, communication, time management, family strengthening and healthy relationship skills
Music for F.U.N. (Fundamental Understanding of Notes) is a group designed to quickly engage and teach the basics of playing guitars, keyboards, and drums during the “Music for F.U.N.” curriculum and finish with a fundamental understanding of music theory, songwriting, and the expressive therapy that it provides. These skills and focused sensitivity enhance our clients capacity for sharing their thoughts, feelings and experience.
MUSIC
Counselors meet with clients weekly (at least 4 times a month), rotating visits in the HOME, in the COMMUNITY, and in the OFFICE. Excel Youth provides reoccurring bi-weekly and monthly groups. These groups are provided by our staff and contractual professionals to bring fun and innovative programming to our clients while continuing to work on individual goals. These reoccurring groups are detailed below :
YOGA
Excel Youth’s yoga program, taught by Crystal Rainey LGPC, has been developed for both children and teens. Through the use of different yoga games, breathing techniques, relaxation techniques and specific yoga poses, the program focuses on tools to help both children and teens deal with anxiety, impulse control, relaxation, stress management and social interaction.
MONEY MANAGEMENT
Money Management group assists teenage clients with learning money management skills that are needed and valuable in everyday life. The group focuses on budgeting, saving patterns, developing a schedule and process for paying bills, planning, etc. Through these lessons on money management clients learn other key skills such as structure, organization, responsibility, prioritizing, decision making, and communication that are useful in the rehabilitative process.
ZUMBA
Zumba is an aerobic dance fitness program. The Zumba program at Excel Youth is taught and choreographed by Amie Hojnacke. Zumba provides an opportunity for our clients to learn healthy ways to reduce stress and increase self-esteem. Many studies provide support for the benefits of physical exercise in children on brain activity, executive function and depressive symptoms.
WORKFORCE READINESS
Workforce Readiness group assists teenage clients with understanding the process and developing the skills needed to gain employment such as resume writing, the application process, communication, proper dress attire, interview techniques, time management and more. Clients also learn things such as interpersonal skills, following directions, listening techniques, consistency, and responsibility which are valuable in the treatment process.
Excel Youth offers and coordinates themed groups with specific topics for each month. For example, February (love yourself), March Madness (anger management group), April Showers (hygiene group) and November (being thankful).
In addition to all planned groups, counselors often coordinate their own groups (onsite and offsite) covering various topics relating to the clients individual goals. These may include art expression, nature hikes, running groups and self-esteem scrap-booking.
Excel Youth offers and coordinates themed groups with specific topics for each month. For example, February (love yourself), March Madness (anger management group), April Showers (hygiene group) and November (being thankful).
In addition to all planned groups, counselors often coordinate their own groups (onsite and offsite) covering various topics relating to the clients individual goals. These may include art expression, nature hikes, running groups and self-esteem scrap-booking.