Living on your own is hard enough without the added difficulty of dealing with Asperger’s Syndrome[1] . According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, Asperger’s Syndrome is “an Autism Spectrum Disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to function in society”. Estimates suggest that two out of every 10,000 children suffer from Asperger’s Syndrome, with the distribution being three boys for every girl.

Several different symptoms are present in those with Asperger’s Syndrome — or aspies, as they call themselves. The most common is difficulty in social interaction. This causes an already challenging task — living on your own — to become even more difficult. Despite the challenge, many aspies have learned to live — and even flourish — once they have their own place. (more…)

This week finds us in two international cities at once!  From May 12 – 15 we will be exhibiting at IECA’s (Independent Educational Consultants Association) Spring Conference in Toronto, Canada.  We are proud to be co-hosting a Referent dinner with The Menninger Clinic for about 10 professionals.

Also, from May 13 – 15 we will exhibit at the 7^th UKESAD (UK / European Symposium on Addictive Disorders) Symposium in London, England.  During this event we will meet with other industry programs and mental health professionals.

(Orlando, Fla., April 29, 2010) – Pasadena Villa is pleased to announce the addition of Jerry Rudd to its team. Rudd will serve as the Administrator of the Smoky Mountain Lodge, a 29-bed adult residential facility in Sevierville, Tennessee.

“Jerry’s broad experiences and skill set, along with his personality and passion for our work, make him a perfect fit for Smoky Mountain Lodge,” said George Kachmarik, President and Clinical Director. “He will exceed the expectations of our clients, families, and referents.”

Rudd joins Pasadena Villa with more than 16 years of experience in a variety of roles and settings, including psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals, residential treatment and extended care programs.

“We are thrilled to have Jerry on our team,” said David Nissen, Vice President and Managing Director. “He has proven himself in many roles and has an impeccable reputation in our field.”

Smoky Mountain Lodge features Pasadena Villa’s Social Integration Model ℠, in conjunction with traditional therapies, to serve clients nationwide. The facility provides treatment for thought disorders, mood disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome, and social and interpersonal deficits.

Founded in 2001, Pasadena Villa is committed to providing the highest quality of clinical services within a physical environment that promotes health, well being, recovery, and personal motivation. Through the Social Integration Model, clients participate in social, cultural, and recreational activities within the community, which provide real life experiences and coaching in real time. This unique, internally developed program prepares clients for life outside of treatment and for reaching the highest level of individual functioning possible.

For more information about Smoky Mountain Lodge or other Pasadena Villa programs, visit the website at www.pasadenavilla.com or contact David Nissen at (407) 896-2636.

This week, April 15 – 17, we will be exhibiting at the 8th Conference on Adolescents and Young Adults in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference will focus on the counseling and treatment of adolescents and young adults.

We attended the School Connections Workshop in San Diego, California.  The workshop allows therapeutic programs to meet one on one with educational consultants and mental health professionals in the industry.  Before the workshop began we had the opportunity to tour the following programs:  Hanbleceya Treatment Center in La Mesa, California; Casa Palmera in Del Mar, California and Hope by the Sea in San Juan Capistrano, California.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Orlando, Fla., April 8, 2010 – Pasadena Villa is pleased to announce the addition of Myrtho Mompoint- Branch, M.D., to its staff. Dr. Branch will provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, individual therapy sessions, and staff, family, and referent consultations.

“Dr. Branch’s extensive experience with teens and young adults makes her an excellent addition to our team,” said David Nissen, Managing Director. “Having a psychiatrist of Dr. Branch’s caliber available is a tremendous benefit to our patients and staff.”

Dr. Branch is board certified in adult and child psychiatry. She is experienced in treating a wide variety of disorders and has a special interest in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder, and anxiety disorders. Her experience includes outpatient, inpatient, and residential treatment settings. In 2009, she was ranked as one of America’s Top Psychiatrists by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.

In addition to her responsibilities at Pasadena Villa, Dr. Branch serves as an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando. Previously she served as an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Branch completed her training in adult psychiatry at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, where she received her graduating class’s award of clinical excellence.

Founded in 2001, Pasadena Villa is committed to providing the highest quality of clinical services within a physical environment that promotes health, well being, recovery, and personal motivation. Through its Social Integration Model, clients participate in social, cultural, and recreational activities within the community, which provide real life experiences and coaching in real time. This unique, internally developed program prepares clients for life outside of treatment and for reaching the highest level of individual functioning possible.

For more information about Pasadena Villa, visit the website at www.pasadenavilla.com or contact David Nissen at (407) 896-2636.

For Pasadena Villa:
Michelle Edwards, APR
The Edwards Group
(321) 277-6005
michelle@edwardsprgroup.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Orlando, Fla., March 29, 2010 –  Pasadena Villa recently co-sponsored the Second Annual Rome Conference on Emotional Well Being themed “Focus on the Family: Building Resiliency in Our Kids”. The conference was held on March 20, at the St. George’s British International School in Rome, Italy. Attendees included parents, teachers, mental health professionals and school administrators.

The event featured two keynote speakers: George Schulz, Ph.D., licensed psychologist and Director of Family Focus Counseling in Winter Springs, Florida, USA, and Toby Haslam-Hopwood, Psy.D., Senior Clinical Psychologist, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Limerick, Ireland. Dr. Schulz presented “Stress: All in the Family” and Dr. Haslam-Hopwood presented “The Role of Families in Promoting Resilience.” (more…)

This four-page paper provides a discussion on the topic of mental health and the insurance industry. The writer uses several jumping off points to explore the benefits and the process for receiving mental health care nationwide and then focuses on some of the problems and issues that are key to the state of Arizona. There were five sources used to  complete this paper. (more…)

Despite the increasing awareness, education, knowledge, treatment, and understanding of psychological disorders, there is still no clear-cut, quick fix, and uniform method available to diagnose and/or eliminate (or at least reduce) mental illnesses and psychological disorders.  Anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder are two of the most common mental illnesses that prevent an individual from functioning normally.  While most individuals may arguably prefer to remain ignorant of the existence of anxiety disorders and/or bipolar disorder, the fact is that more than 23 million individuals suffer from anxiety disorders (Harvard, 1) while more than 3 million individuals suffer from bipolar disorder (Hollandsworth).

This paper analyzes and examines anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder.  Part II discusses the various types of anxiety disorders and the treatments available for such disorders.  In Part III, bipolar disorder and the treatments available for such disorder is evaluated.  Lastly, this paper concludes with recommendations for enhancing and improving the awareness, knowledge, treatment, and understanding of anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder. (more…)

We will be attending the NATSAP (National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs) annual conference in San Diego, California this week. We are proud to be co-hosting a Referent dinner with The Menninger Clinic, for about 25 professionals.