Counseling

The trained staff at COBYS Family Services offer professional psychotherapy and support to individuals, couples, and families at locations in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. COBYS therapists are providers for several insurance companies, and uninsured clients may qualify for an affordable sliding scale, based on income and family size. Here are the types of issues that our therapists address:

• Marital and couples’ therapy
• Relational issues
• Family therapy
• Depression, anxiety
• EMDR
• TF-CBT (children ages 3 – 18) – see below for more information on this type of therapy.

 

We are now accepting daytime inquiries for children and adults at all locations. Please email counselingadmin@cobys.org for more information.

Unfortunately, we are not taking referrals for after school or evening hours at this time. Please contact your insurance company for other referral sources.

 

COBYS Counseling phone number is 717-661-3548.

For an overview of COBYS Counseling Center and the State of Mental Health in Lancaster County click here.

 

Touchstone Foundation provides funding to COBYS to support our efforts in equipping therapists to become licensed in their professional field.

 

Most of our therapists take the following insurances:

                                    

                                   

       

Aetna, Highmark, Capital Blue, Optum, Geisinger, Independence Blue Cross, Magellan, Quest, Medicaid (PerformCare and CCBH), Various EAP programs.

We do not take Access.

 

Specialized Services

We also provide some specialized services:

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

TF-CBT is a short-term treatment intervention for children who exhibit behavioral or emotional symptoms as the result of having experienced a trauma. Both children and parents are involved in the treatment process.

TF-CBT primarily reduces symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is characterized by problems with managing trauma-related negative emotions and physical reactions caused by memories or reminders of the trauma that may lead to maladaptive coping such as avoidance of reminders. These reactions often interfere with functioning at home, in school, and in interpersonal relationships.

The specific components of TF-CBT are summarized by the acronym PRACTICE:

• Psychoeducation is provided to children and their caregivers about the impact of trauma and common childhood reactions.
• Parenting skills are provided to optimize children’s emotional and behavioral adjustment.
• Relaxation and stress management skills are individualized for each child and parent.
• Affective expression and modulation are taught to help children and parents identify and cope with a range of emotions.
• Cognitive coping and processing are enhanced by illustrating the relationships among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This helps children and parents modify inaccurate or unhelpful thoughts about the trauma.
• Trauma narration, in which children describe their personal traumatic experiences, is an important component of the treatment.
• In vivo mastery of trauma reminders is used to help children overcome their avoidance of situations that are no longer dangerous, but which remind them of the original trauma.
• Conjoint child-parent sessions help the child and parent talk to each other about the child’s trauma.
• Enhancing future safety and development—the final phase of the treatment—addresses safety, helps the child to regain developmental momentum, and covers any other skills the child needs to end treatment.

Learn more about the effects of trauma on children and TF-CBT at:
nctsn.org/resources/audiences/parents-caregivers
nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/tfcbt_general.pdf

 

Educational Support Groups and Classes

   Family Life Education Programs 

COBYS offers these group opportunities to empower individuals through evidence-based programs. See below for more information on each program.
•  Blues Program for Teenagers
•  Cooperative Parenting and Divorce
•  Incredible Years for Lancaster County
•  Parenting Autism
•  Kinship Workshops
•  Seeking Safety

 

Blues Program for Teenagers

The Blues Program is designed for teenagers (aged 14-18), teaching skills that strengthen your power to push back against anxiety, stress, and depression.  Learn how your thoughts, feelings and actions interact to take control of your moods.  Join other teens in an online educational group and make positive changes in your life.

A permission form and assessment form will need completed in order to make sure this program is a good fit for your needs.  Please contact education@cobys.org if you have any questions. Learn more/Register.

 

Cooperative Parenting and Divorce

Divorce is a reality for millions of families. 
Co-parenting is an intentional commitment to put the children first.

Join other co-parents in this free skill building program as you navigate the challenges of co-parenting. Learn about tools that are proven to help parents:

• Shield your children from parental conflict
• Disengage from the former relationship
• Manage anger
• Establish a cooperative, long-term relationship with each other as co-parents
• Develop effective communication skills
• Negotiate agreements in a business-like manner
• Increase co-parenting respect

Learn more/Register.

 

Incredible Years for Lancaster County

 

Parenting Autism

 

Workshops for Kinship Caregivers & Others

Making Sense of Your Worth

The program is designed for anyone desiring positive self-worth or secure attachment. Attendees participate in a series of sessions in a group format designed to help them understand how past life events have contributed to low self-worth. This program helps adults overcome their painful pasts so they can be free to be their best selves in all areas of life. This is a women’s only class. A discounted price is offered for foster moms.

Learn more/Register.