Mosaic Therapy Innovative Mental Health Approach
CHicago, IL , May 20, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Researchers in UCLA Center for Health Policy Research have found that when it comes to mental health, access to health insurance is not enough to ensure access. Three out four children who need help still do not get treatment, according to Imelda Padilla-Frausto, lead author of the study.
Chicago-based not-profit, Mosaic Therapy, is working to eliminate barriers to treatment as defined by the UCLA study. Mosaic Therapy programs provide access to mental health treatment using innovative methods ensuring access for parents who might be limited in English communication skills or have difficulty navigating the health care system.
Mosaic Therapy provides access to mental health services by giving clients direct access to bilingual clinicians that see clients in a variety of locations including schools, community centers, homes, as well as traditional office settings or online.
Copy Body: Mosaic Therapy began as the brainchild of Veronica Vyazovsky, a school counselor and special education teacher. Veronica came to the United States at the age of 9 as refugee from the former Soviet Union and saw firsthand her own family’s resistance to any mental health treatment. “In everyday Russian, it is hard to say, “I am depressed” or “I am anxious”, mainly because mental health issues are not openly discussed. Problems in functioning are usually attributed to individual will or character flaws, rather than mental illness. For example, a mother concerned about her child may ask, “Why is he so lazy? I just don’t understand why he doesn’t just get up and go to school.”
Working for Chicago Public Schools as a school counselor, Veronica referred many of her students for outside counseling services. However, parents weren’t able to take the students to their appointments due to transportation or scheduling issues. Parents also reported that they didn’t feel comfortable with the counseling process, because they didn’t know what their child might say to the therapist about the family. Looking around for years to find culturally competent, accessible and affordable services for her families, Veronica decided to start a program that met these family’s needs.
Currently, Mosaic Therapy provides treatment to kids and families in Chicago and its near suburbs. The treatment philosophy is uniquely designed to fit the needs of immigrant and refugee communities. Culture and language are very important to the treatment process. “We strive to serve clients in their native language and understand their cultural perspective from the very first session. Families and school staff are included in the treatment process from the very first session, either as participants in the sessions or through coordinated treatment efforts.”
Mental health therapy services are provided in schools, homes and online, allowing patients to access services when it is convenient and accessible to them. Mosaic Therapy has worked hard to eliminate financial barriers to treatment. They work with patients to inform them of their costs upfront and negotiate a payment arrangement that is acceptable to patients regardless of their insurance benefits.
For more information on Mosaic Therapy programs, please contact Veronica Vyazovsky:
veronica@mosaictherapy.org
www.mosaictherapy.org
8300 Callie
405
Morton Grove, IL 60053
Phone: 312-799-9351
Fax: (888) 975-8519