PATHWAYS Program
Overview
PATHWAYS Program
Founded in 2013, the PATHWAYS Program is a school-based counseling program, which is designed to address the unmet social-emotional and psychological needs of students by providing an array of trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, and systems-oriented behavioral health services. The program focuses on students in urban school settings who have experienced traumatic life events, are coping with significant psychological and emotional distress, and have engaged in disruptive behaviors (e.g., school truancy, chronic absenteeism) that may interfere with their academic performance and social-emotional well-being.
The PATHWAYS Program is funded through a generous grant from the Cummings Foundation. To learn more about the Foundation and its philanthropic activities, please visit www.CummingsFoundation.org.
Practicum Training Program
The PATHWAYS Program offers field education experiences for practicum-level graduate students who are enrolled in the counseling and clinical psychology programs at William James College. Trainees must have prior clinical, volunteering, and/or work-related experience with children, adolescents, and families; a demonstrated interest in providing trauma-informed care and culturally-responsive clinical services to urban youths and families; and a strong commitment to working in a school setting.
The practicum training program is designed to prepare graduate students to meet the growing demand for culturally-sensitive mental health services for individuals and groups from culturally diverse backgrounds. Trainees receive hands-on clinical training and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to deliver trauma-informed, systems-based, and client-centered mental health care to youth and families from historically marginalized and underserved communities.
Anxiety, mood, and disruptive disorders are the most commonly-diagnosed conditions among children and adolescents.
1 in 5
Approximately 20% of youth has a mental disorder.
1 in 10
10% suffer from a severe mental illness.
1 in 8
12.5% has a co-occuring substance use or abuse.
Our Mission
The program’s primary objective is to increase access for urban youth to school-based, culturally-sensitive, and trauma-informed mental health services that are aimed at raising students’ awareness of the impact of trauma on well-being, enhancing students’ positive coping skills, promoting students’ attitudes toward school engagement, increasing graduation rates, and improving the overall psychosocial well-being of urban youth.
Who We Serve
Services provided through the PATHWAYS Program include comprehensive psychosocial and intake assessments, individual therapy, group counseling, case management and care coordination. The program also offers school-based consultation services, family outreach and engagement, and referrals to outpatient and in-home therapy.
Services We Offer
The PATHWAYS Program provides psychosocial assessments, individual and group therapy, case management, and mentoring services. The program also offers school-based consultation services, family outreach and engagement, and referrals to outpatient and in-home therapy.
Program Background
Our partnership with Boston Public Schools aimed at improving academic outcomes among urban students.
Learn MoreFor More Information Contact PATHWAYS
Shani Turner, PhD
Director, PATHWAYS Program
Email Dr. Turner
617-327-6777 x1300