Peaceable Life Therapeutic Services, Inc.
Providing Professional Counseling and Therapeutic Behavioral Consultation Services
PO Box 962
2857 Stuarts Draft Hwy, Suite 121
(Back of Broadmoor Plaza)
Stuarts Draft, VA 24477
General Inquiries Call (540) 490-4440, Fax (877) 363-9068
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Valuing Individuals
Positive Behavior Support values the individual needs, interests, likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams, and abilities of the focus person. Rather than trying to fix the behavior, PBS strives to improve the quality of life and experiences for the focus person so that they will feel empowered and fulfilled. The need for the focus person to use the challenging behavior to get what he wants or avoid something he doesn’t want decreases when he is heard and understood and his needs are met.
Reaching Goals
Positive Behavior Support understands that everyone has personal goals and aspirations. PBS assesses the supports present in the focus person’s environment to achieve those goals and makes recommendations where necessary for changes which will enhance her ability to succeed. The focus person is given a new set of skills and behaviors which will help her to reach her goals more effectively and will provide a more positive outcome.
Building on Strengths
Positive Behavior Support moves the focus from the negative to the positive. Rather than highlighting the areas where the focus person is not meeting expectation, PBS highlights the focus person’s strengths and abilities. Building on the gifts the person already has helps him to be successful and feel that the new skills and new behaviors are possible and attainable. Success minimizes frustration and improves the focus person’s commitment to use the new skills.
Positive Behavior Support
is a person-centered method of behavioral practice that focuses on improving the quality of life for the focus person so that the challenging behavior is no longer necessary.
Born from the influences of Applied Behavior Analysis, the Normalization/ Inclusion movement, and Person-Centered principles, PBS is a systems approach to behavioral supports. It includes an understanding of the hopes, dreams and goals of the focus person, team collaboration, interviews and observation, data collection and assessment, training and education, and practical interventions.
The PBS Facilitator coordinates the services with the focus person, their family, and their support providers. The goal of the PBSF is to serve as a guide, helping the team build an environment of success for the focus person.
Retrieved with permission from PBSF Training Curriculum, VCU and Partnership for People with Disabilities
Professional Counseling
Professional Counseling is a service in which a licensed professional can be called upon to provide mental health therapy, assessment, insight, support, and resources to people who are struggling with various emotional, relational, and behavioral challenges. Therapists are licensed in the state in which they practice to provide evidence-based mental health services for a variety of needs, ranging from transitional challenges such as adjustment to new situations to complex challenges such as trauma and psychosis. Some therapists specialize in very specific fields, such as sex therapy, complex trauma therapy, child development. Many therapists seek additional training in modalities that can be used to treat certain challenges, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). All therapists must continue their education each year in order to maintain their license.
The relationship with a therapist is an important one. Whether the participant is seeing the therapist for a few sessions to address a very specific situation, or they are seeing the therapist to address complex emotional experiences that will take time, the relationship between the therapist and the participant is the basis of the healing process. It is important that the participant feel respected and valued and that they are welcome to talk about anything they need to share. Sometimes that connection happens with the first therapist a participant sees. Sometimes it is not the right fit and the participant would seek another therapist. The important thing is to continue to reach out until the right fit is found.
Sometimes people do not seek therapy because it is hard to afford. Many therapists take insurance and many insurance companies pay fully for the therapy visits. Some insurances apply the visit to the participants deductible and do not pay until that is met. It would be important to talk with the insurance company about coverage to be informed when seeking an appointment. Some therapists take a "sliding scale" which reduces the amount of out of pocket cost based on income. Some therapists offer time blocks to allow for affordability, such as 30 minute appointments. It is always worthwhile to call and ask the practice or the therapist what their charges are and how they charge for their services.
Peaceable Life Therapeutic Services, Inc. therapists are licensed in Virginia and are "In Network" with Anthem, Magellan, and Optima and are also able to bill Virginia Premier as an "Out of Network" provider.
