Prevention & Intervention at New Vista

Mental Health Partners Prevention & Intervention Program

The mission of the Prevention and Intervention Program is to cultivate health through the integration and empowerment of youth, families and community.

PIP was founded in 1987 to provide effective school-based prevention and intervention services focused on strengthening students’ skills and abilities to deal with problems, issues, and temptations, as well as to make decisions
in a healthy/productive way.

What is an interventionist?

Interventionists are Master’s-level mental health professionals, many of whom are licensed to practice psychotherapy independently in the state of Colorado. These therapists are subject to ethical and legal statutes and practice guidelines outlined by their professional bodies and state and federal law.

What do they do that is different than a counselor?
Interventionists work in concert with the school community to provide a variety of services including: mental health (e.g. danger to self or others and substance abuse assessments); brief solution-focused counseling; school/community trauma response, networking, and collaboration; referral and follow-up to community agencies and coordination of community-based services offered on-site at schools; consultation and action planning with school staff for prevention and intervention efforts; peer counseling and mediation programs; psycho-educational support groups; youth leadership/empowerment program support; classroom presentations; in-service training for faculty and staff; and graduate-level intern training. Typically, Intervention staff can provide more time to work in-depth with students and families, than school counseling staff are able to commit given scheduling, guidance, and testing responsibilities.

Who do they see?

Student/family participation in the program is voluntary (cannot be mandated/student must agree to be seen). Services are available to all students in the school community, and are provided free of charge. PIP’s philosophy is to involve parents whenever possible. Intervention services are not restricted to students who are struggling academically. However, they may focus on a variety of mental health issues that, if unaddressed, could impact student academic success. A student may seem to be well adjusted socially and academically and still receive services. Examples may include students with issues related to: adjustment reactions, eating disorders and body image, sexual orientation, depression, suicidality, or grief.​

What does consent to treat and confidentiality mean?