ADULT PROBATION OUTREACH PROGRAM

The Stamford Counseling Center initiated a therapy program at the Adult Probation Department of the Stamford Superior Court in May, 2006. The program provides short-term, solution-focused therapy for individuals on probation to help them alter maladaptive behavior and ways of thinking, assisting them in utilizing the strengths and resources of their families and community, and improving the quality of their relationships.

Clients learn how to become better parents, more responsible partners and more productive members of the community. The goal is to transform the challenges of substance abuse, violence, crime, physical and emotional abuse and poverty into opportunities for growth. The vision is to use the solution-focused techniques of family therapy to encourage self-improvement and relationship healing and enhancement.

Clients referred by probation officers are seen for ten counseling sessions in a room set aside for this purpose at the courthouse. The therapists are advanced graduate students at Fairfield University and Fordham University doing their internship at the Stamford Counseling Center and working under the supervision of licensed therapists at the Center. The program is currently directed by Karen Mazarin-Stanek, LMFT, who can be contacted at mazarin.stanek@gmail.com

At the end of the initial ten-session phase clients may end their counseling or have the opportunity to continue in counseling to address other issues, including financial, housing, employability and employment, legal, medical, educational and nutritional. Clients are referred to local agencies providing services for addressing those needs.

The initial ten sessions are at no cost. Follow-up counseling at the Center is charged on a special sliding fee scale created especially for probationers. Other agencies to which they are referred will determine the fees charged there.

The program also enhances the work of probation officers, improves services to probationers, and reduces recidivism to the benefit of probationers' families and the community at large.