Adult Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) is a short-term, evidence-based program consisting of four treatment models for older adult populations. The objective of this program is to offer prevention and intervention services for older adults (60 years and up) who could be at risk of experiencing a number of symptoms associated with mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, psychological traumas, or substance abuse issues. This program is especially designed for individuals who are not currently receiving mental health services and have not received any in the past.
These models are effective in resolving symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and symptoms related to trauma exposure. Treatment models offered include:
- CORS (Crisis Oriented Recovery Services) – Focuses on crisis resolution in regards to an event that has occurred in the past three months. The objective of treatment is to assist the client in developing stress management techniques so as to return the client to his/her previous level of functioning. Duration is approximately six weeks.
- PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors) – Is a home based intervention that consists of problem solving therapy as a means to reduce symptoms of depression. The objective of treatment is to assist the client in identifying problems, developing potential solutions to these problems, and taking the necessary steps to resolve them. In addition, this model includes the use of activity scheduling for pleasant physical and social activities so as to reduce depressive symptoms. Duration consists of approximately eight sessions over a five month period of time.
- Seeking Safety – Intervention focuses on reclaiming one’s sense of safety after experiencing a trauma and/or dealing with substance abuse issues. The goal of treatment is to help the client overcome the traumatic event and/or overcome his/her substance abuse issues through the use of new coping skills. Duration of treatment is approximately 2 to 6 months.
- IPT (Interpersonal therapy) – Focus of treatment is on the reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms through improvements in the client’s interpersonal relationships along with modification of relationship expectations. The goal of treatment is to enhance social support via improvements of the client’s interpersonal communication style, along with a better understanding of his/her attachment style and how it can impact social relationships. Duration of treatment is approximately 3-5 months.
These services utilize short-term interventions to help restore clients to optimal functioning and include:
- Individual therapy
- Crisis Intervention
- Case Management
