Behavioral Health at KYJO

Behavioral Health refers to a person’s state of being and how their behaviors and choices affect their overall health and wellness (Tackett, 2018). An individual’s behavioral health can be negatively impacted by environmental and biological components. Often times, many individuals fail to practice positive self-care. As a result of this, these individuals may engage in maladaptive or poor personal choices – such as substance abuse, self-harm, and mental health symptoms/disorders.

The vast majority of residents that are placed at KYJO Enterprises, Inc. have endured mild to severe trauma that has negatively affected their behavioral health and mental functioning. In an effort to improve our residents’ ability to function within their communities, and decrease maladaptive behaviors, the youth at KYJO participate in a variety of treatment – including individual, group, and family therapy, anger management, and substance abuse groups.

Utilization of appropriate therapeutic interventions, positive coping skills, and improved brain function provides residents the opportunity to change their outlook and improve their quality of life.

Why Is It Important?

Millions of individuals suffer from mental health disorders and symptoms that can negatively impact their lives. Unfortunately, there is a big stigma surrounding mental health symptoms and disorders.

As a result of this stigma, a vast majority of individuals suffering from mental health disorders do not receive adequate treatment, or they engage in negative coping skills (such as substance abuse or self-harm) as a means to “numb” or deflect from their pain and suffering. Just as we would tell someone suffering from cancer or heart disease the importance of seeking and maintaining appropriate care, that same approach needs to be directed towards mental health services. As rates for suicide increase among minors between the ages of 16-18, we must be cognizant that there needs to be more access and services for those suffering from mental health disorders and symptoms.

In an effort to better serve our residents, we must move away from the bias that mental health disorders are debilitating and ridden with shame. The staff at KYJO work to ensure that our residents’ mental health needs are met with quality, care, and respect through psychotherapy, education, awareness, and advocacy.

Services We Provide

  • Individual Therapy

    Individual therapy provides residents the opportunity to establish therapeutic goals, decrease maladaptive behaviors, and develop positive coping skills. They can use these skills to better their lives. Our therapy modalities include:

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to decrease negative thought patterns that may influence behavior.
    • Motivational Interviewing (MI) to assist clients with identification of their short- and long-term goals, as well as developing their motivation.
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is designed to treat various mental health disorders by changing behavioral patterns through utilization of:
      • Mindfulness.
      • Distress tolerance.
      • Emotion regulation.
      • Interpersonal effectiveness.

  • Family Therapy

    Family therapy fosters positive change and development within the family unit. This therapy emphasizes the importance of family interaction and involvement, as it relates to psychological health.

  • Group Therapy

    A group setting where residents are provided the opportunity to discuss and identify their issues within a group setting. Within the group setting, KYJO offers:

    • Anger Management (individual and group)
    • Substance Abuse (individual and group)
    • Gang Awareness (individual and group)

  • Psychiatric Care/Medication Management

    Residents receive psychiatric care and medication management from Dr. Bradley Wajda through Esano Corporation. Fresno County may be referred to the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) for medication management.

  • Psychological Testing

    All residents placed at KYJO receive psychological testing from Dr. Steven Swanson.

Learn More

For more information on KYJO’s mental health care and services, please contact Katie Counts.

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