atypical.hrdb@gmail.com

We hope to open in Mid-September and are actively working to secure a location in Joplin Missouri.  Our therapies will typically be provided at our center in Joplin, MO. Please inquire about specific service locations and potential telehealth options once we are open.

We will provide support for a wide range of needs, including anxiety, trauma, behavioral challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, communication delays, sensory processing issues, fine motor skill development, and challenges related to Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodevelopmental differences. We will serve both children and adult patients.

We plan to offer several evidence-based therapeutic services:

• Mental Health Therapy: Including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Therapy delivered by licensed professionals (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, etc.).
• Applied  Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy: Provided by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) or experienced ABA therapists, focusing on skill  development and behavioral support.
• Speech Therapy: Delivered by licensed Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to address speech clarity, language development, social communication, and sometimes feeding/swallowing.
• Occupational Therapy (OT): Provided by licensed Occupational Therapists (OTs) to support daily living skills, fine motor coordination, sensory processing, and emotional regulation.
• Creative Arts Therapies: Including Play Therapy, Music Therapy, and Art Therapy, led by certified or qualified therapists in each respective field to support emotional expression, skill-building, and coping       mechanisms through creative modalities.

We will focus on comprehensive, integrated care. This means we will not only offer various therapies under one roof but also emphasize collaboration  between therapists, coordination with external healthcare providers (through our Care Coordination Specialist), strong family involvement  (EFT, Parent Support Network), community integration, and advocacy support to ensure holistic well-being.

Yes, our services are designed to support both children and adult patients,  depending on their specific needs. The services may be appropriate for children, adolescents, and families, and many therapeutic approaches are applicable across age groups.

The frequency of counseling sessions with Atypical Family Therapy and Disability Services will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some clients may benefit from weekly sessions, while others may attend bi-weekly or monthly.

Yes, we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Our staff will be trained to provide culturally competent and respectful care.

The best way will be to contact us either now or when we open. We can then discuss your specific concerns and needs and explain how our services might help. We typically start with an assessment process to determine the most  appropriate support plan. You can also fill out our survey to have us contact you once we are open and to give your suggestions on therapies and services we should consider offering. You can fill out the survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYnJ7hJFEJH5B9VjUZOTamyK1UwMV96yjtZ4p5LuyL4KvqrA/viewform  

This can vary depending on the specific service and your insurance plan. Please contact us after we open, and we can provide information on referral requirements for the services you are interested in.

 Our  team consists of highly qualified professionals, including:

• Licensed  Mental Health Therapists (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, etc.)
• Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and experienced ABA Therapists
• Licensed Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), often with ASHA certification       (CCC-SLP)
• Licensed and NBCOT-certified Occupational Therapists (OTs)
• Certified or specially trained Play Therapists, Music Therapists (CBMT certified), and Art Therapists (ATR or ATR-BC preferred)
• Specialists with degrees and experience in family support, community outreach, care coordination, and advocacy.

Cost will vary depending on the type and frequency of service. We recommend contacting us after we open to discuss fees. Our Advocacy & Brokering service team can also potentially assist families in understanding      insurance coverage and navigating financial supports.

Assessments will vary by service but generally involve gathering history, observing behaviors or skills, using standardized measures (where applicable), and discussing goals with the individual and/or family. This will help us create a tailored treatment plan. For example, mental health involves comprehensive assessments, ABA uses behavioral assessments, OT/ST use specific evaluations for their domains, and creative therapies use      discipline-specific assessment approaches.

Treatment plans will be highly individualized and developed collaboratively based on the assessment results. They will outline specific goals, the therapeutic approaches to be used (e.g., CBT, ABA techniques, specific OT/ST exercises, play/music/art interventions), and how progress will be measured. Family input will be a key part of this      process.

Session frequency and duration will depend entirely on the individual's needs, the type of therapy, and the treatment plan goals. This will be discussed and determined after the initial assessment.

Progress will be monitored regularly through methods specific to each therapy (e.g., data collection in ABA, standardized assessments in OT/ST, clinical observation and goal tracking in mental health/creative therapies). Therapists will maintain documentation and communicate progress regularly with clients and families. Our Care Coordination Specialist will also help ensure information is shared appropriately among providers when needed. 

 Family involvement will be crucial to our approach. We will offer:

• Family Education and Training (EFT): Tailored sessions with Family Support Specialists to equip you with strategies.
• Caregiver  Training: Integrated into ABA therapy plans.
• Collaboration: Therapists (Mental Health, OT, ST, Creative Arts) will work with families on home strategies and goals.
• Parent Support Network: A peer network for shared experiences and resources, facilitated by our Peer Support & Engagement Facilitator

Yes, through our dedicated Family Education and Training (EFT) program,  the Parent Support Network offering peer connection and resources, and the guidance provided by our Family Resource & Advocacy Coordinator.

Our Community Outreach & Inclusion Coordinator will work to build partnerships with schools and local organizations in Joplin, MO. We will host workshops, sibling support groups, and inclusive community events (often with accessible childcare) to promote awareness, education, and inclusion related to neurodiversity.

Our Family Resource & Advocacy Coordinator will help families navigate complex systems like education (e.g., IEPs), healthcare (insurance, finding providers), and accessing financial or community resources. They will empower families to understand their rights and make informed decisions.

Our Integrated Health Focus, supported by the Care Coordination Specialist, will facilitate communication and collaboration between our team, external  healthcare providers, and school staff (when appropriate and with consent) to ensure holistic and coordinated care for our clients. Our Advocacy team can also assist with navigating school systems (like IEPs).

This program is designed to train law enforcement officers and first responders on how to better recognize, understand, and interact safely and effectively with individuals on the Autism Spectrum, using de-escalation and appropriate communication strategies. While not a direct service for families, it aims to improve community safety and understanding for neurodivergent individuals in Joplin and surrounding areas.