Coming Soon – STEPPS Group Therapy

LCA News and Information

 

Lake Country Associates will again be offering Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) therapy group on Wednesday afternoons beginning July 18, 2018.

What Is STEPPS?

STEPPS is a cognitive behavioral, skills training approach to assist people in the management of emotional intensity and the development of emotional regulation skills.  Developed at the University of Iowa, this program is a skills training approach originally designed for persons diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.  However, in our experience delivering this group we find that the material applies well to any disorder in which an individual experiences intense emotions that are difficult to manage and regulate.  We call these “emotional intensity episodes”.   Persons with  Depressive Disorders, Bipolar Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety Disorders as well as PTSD can find this skills-based approach helpful in their recovery.  A key aspect of this program is the development of a Reinforcement Team.  This allows key support persons, family, friends and professionals working with the individual to learn and reinforce the skills the individual is learning.

What Can I Expect?

STEPPS consists of 20 – 1½ hour group therapy sessions and 1 Reinforcement Team session.  This group is co-facilitated by Jean Greseth, MSW, LICSW, a clinical social worker and Laura Kempnich, MSW, LGSW, a clinical social work trainee at Lake Country Associates.  Jean has facilitated STEPPS groups for the past 8 years and is an experienced clinician in the treatment of mental illness.  Ms. Kempnich is working towards licensure as a clinical social worker, under the supervision of Jean Greseth.

STEPPS will be offered on Wednesday afternoons from 5:30 pm to 7:00 p.m. at “Lake Country Cottage” Drop-in Center.  The Cottage is located on Hwy 34, next to Casey’s convenience store, 516 West First Street, Park Rapids, MN 56470.

How Do I Sign Up for STEPPS Group?

We are accepting referrals for STEPPS at this time.  Start date is July 18, 2018.  Please call Lake Country Associates at 218-366-9229 to make a referral or download a Referral Form.  All individuals referred will need to have a current Diagnostic Assessment completed by a Mental Health Professional and meet with Ms. Greseth or Ms. Kempnich for a 30 minute individual session prior to the start of group.

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Feedback from LCA clients:

When we come in for an appointment, the reception staff always has a friendly smile on her face.

I like that the staff are flexible with scheduling.

I have a great therapist.  I appreciate her assistance!

You are all warm, welcoming and so very helpful!  Thank you!!

Friendly and helpful atmosphere.  Feel at ease walking in.

My child's therapist is awesome!  So helpful and relates well to the whole family.

The appointment times work well with my schedule.  My children get along well with their therapists.

Everyone was very helpful.  I'm glad I called to get help!

The receptionist knew my name after the second visit...very friendly!

They work with your schedule and do whatever they can to help you.

I always feel that my therapist is listening to what I have to say and helping me come up with practical ways to deal with things.

Therapy at LCA has helped my progress immensely!

They gave me hope for the future.  Life saving.

Easy to work with.  Made me feel comfortable!

My son and daughter are making steps toward our family goals!

They matched me with the perfect therapist!

I'm so appreciative of my therapist's knowledge, skill and understanding.

My therapist is great!  Of all the therapists we've had over the years, she understands our family and kids the best.  Very helpful!

Easy to work with.  You can tell they genuinely care about their clients.

I appreciated being treated normally, even though I was getting help with a difficult situation.

My therapist was very, very kind and is an awesome problem solver.

I love coming to LCA.  Everybody is so friendly and make you feel so much better.

The staff members are always well informed and ready to help/answer questions.

Easy to get to.  Very friendly people willing to help.

Listens to both my child and me.  Getting us through some very difficult times with care and compassion.

My ARMHS staff is awesome!  She has helped me make progress in many areas of my life.  I have better relationships now.

Greatly appreciate having the option of Christian Counseling and being able to filter issues through that lens!

They were open to my opinion of which counselor I see.

The staff have good attitudes and open minds.

Location is great and the staff is excellent with customer service.  Therapy is also professional and comfortable.

Talking with my therapist is helping, instead of holding it all in.

Her thoughtfulness and her knowledge of helping people with depression is what I need to achieve my goals!

I had a person to talk with about my problems and my problems are getting better.

My counselor helps me out when I need it most.  I can always count on them to say the right things, even when I don't want to hear it.

My therapist understands my child's needs and listens.

She's thinking through things with me instead of just giving directions.  It shows that she cares.

My therapist is a life saver! :-)

Quick and easy to get an appointment.  Friendly, helpful staff.

Very welcoming place.  We love our therapist!

The front desk staff had a positive attitude and was patient with me.

All the staff were friendly and helpful.  They answered all my questions.

Meeting with my therapist has been making my life and relationships a lot less stressful.

I am so thankful I was directed here!

I love the comfortable feel in the office.

Our counselor wanted to meet our entire family to find out how to better help our son.  She offered lots of suggestions and things to help us in the long term.

My children's counselors are awesome.  I've seen huge progress in both my kids.

I found scheduling flexible to my needs.

Good location, feels very professional and confidential!

I appreciate the text/phone reminders.

The receptionist staff have been amazing.  They are friendly and caring.  You can tell they enjoy their job.

It is a very comfortable atmosphere.  Everyone is flexible and understanding!

Resources

LCA Brochure

April Cottage Activities Calendar

Community Resource List 1.8.24

All Forms and Downloads

Office Hours

Park Rapids Office

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
    8:00 to 5:00
  • Wednesday
    8:00 to 7:00
  • Friday
    8:00 to 1:00

Bemidji Office

  • Monday – Thursday
    8:00 to 5:00
  • Friday
    8:00 to 12:00

Menahga Office

  • Open by appointment

LCA offices may be closed over the noon hour. 

Important Numbers

Park Rapids Office Phone:
218-366-9229

Bemidji Office Phone:
218-444-2233

Menahga Office Phone:
218-564-9229

LCA Fax Number (all offices):

218-237-2520

24-Hour Crisis Line:
800-422-0045

LCA News and Information