Counseling Center Provides Behavioral Health Therapy Services to Kids in Need

Oftentimes when a youth is diagnosed with a mental health disorder, the family has no idea what to do and where to turn. That’s why the Ellipsis Counseling Center exists. The Counseling Center provides behavioral health therapy services at both our Johnston and south campus locations to help youths in need.

Ellipsis Chief Clinical Officer Nikki Thomson is devoted to ensuring the center provides a broad range of services to help children. Ellipsis originally began as a residential program, but over the years, has transformed its programming to serve more children and families in the community with both preventative and aftercare services.

“Ellipsis has developed our programming to keep up with the times. Things are moving to a therapeutic approach to help more youth and families in need,” said Nikki.

To begin therapy services at the Ellipsis Counseling Center, a child receives an assessment to determine the services necessary for treatment. We have a variety of services and programs to help improve our youth’s lives, including individual, family, group and in-home therapy. We cater programming to the child and family’s needs and have a program to provide support and advocacy for children and their families as they navigate a mental health diagnosis. Once a treatment protocol is established, therapists at the Ellipsis Counseling Center can help our youth find a path to independence.

Our Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS) program addresses skill development. Children focus on developing behaviors such as being respectful, listening and communication, following directions, verbal and physical aggression, decision-making, relationship-building and coping skills. We also offer groups to help develop independent living skills for our older youth.

In addition, the Counseling Center has school-based therapy services in Johnston and Des Moines. “We are very flexible with this service. We can meet at school, or we can visit the home to provide a family therapy session,” said Nikki.

The Ellipsis team continuously works to provide the best services and resources to our youth so they can get on a path to a successful, fulfilling life.