Counseling at Elan School
The counseling program at Elan has two main areas of focus - the student’s job functioning and their group sessions. In the job positions, they work on their ability to give and take directions, take responsibility, interact productively with significant others, and develop self-esteem based on being productive members of society. In their group work, students learn appropriate ways to express, explore and resolve their feelings. New students begin at the bottom of the hierarchy and as they grow, both on the job and in their groups, they earn privileges and receive promotions. When a student has a negative attitude that impedes growth, he/she is demoted, sometimes to the very bottom of the house structure, in order to teach him/her the consequences of his /her actions, as well as to facilitate working on problematic areas.
All new students are indoctrinated into the program by performing the duties of a Worker for the Service Crew, which in turn is responsible for the cleanliness of the facility. As a new student, they are placed in that particular position so that we can observe: 1) his ability to follow and give directions; 2) how he is able to accept responsibility regarding his job placement; 3) how he responds and reacts to having to perform on a day-to-day consistent basis; and 4) how he interacts with others.
At Elan, there are two types of groups in which the student participates. “Encounter Groups” allow students the opportunity to vent feelings of anger, jealousy, loneliness, etc., towards other students in order to attempt to resolve these feelings during the latter part of the group. During the day, when feelings arise, a student is supposed to “drop a slip” on which is written the name of the student with whom he or she would like to be in a group in order to express these feelings. This process also teaches students to control their feelings until it is appropriate to express them, instead of acting off them immediately.
The second type of group, known as a Static Group, is a more traditional session in which the student and a group facilitator meet to discuss problems and feelings and, in doing so, learn more about their behavior. These groups aid the student in developing trust and push him or her into taking the risks necessary for sharing feelings. Individual sessions are conducted on an as-needed basis.
Dr. Jerry Sapan, PhD.
Dr. Sapan is our clinical director and psychologist. He has been at Elan since 1989. Drawing upon considerable experience in diverse clinical settings as well as Elan, Dr. Sapan consults with staff and families in addition to working directly with students. Dr. Sapan also provides supervision for direct care staff and conducts training sessions.
Kathleen Hawkins, L.M.S.W.
Kate began her career at Elan after graduation from Bates College. She took a sabbatical to earn a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. While completing her course work, Kate worked as a Youth Service Officer at Long Lane School, the facility for adjudicated youth in Connecticut. She returned to Elan upon completion of her degree and has been an integral part of the continued development of Elan's life skills program. Her experience working with both youth and their families make her a very valuable asset to the team.