About Us
How are we different?
There are a wide variety of programs and approaches available today. How
do you know which is best for you?
Excellence
Critics have long decried a lack of solid treatment outcome research in the attachment field. We have two research studies which have withstood the rigorous scrutiny of doctoral dissertations.
Excellence
- Michael Orlans, M.A., D.A.P.A., and Terry Levy, Ph.D., B.C.F.E., Co-Directors of
the Evergreen Psychotherapy Center, have been designated Master Therapists by the
American Psychotherapy Association. This is the highest honor that the APA can
bestow upon a member and is held by some of the world's foremost Psychotherapists.
This prestigious credential recognizes exceptional professionals who have made
significant and enduring contributions to advancing the profession of psychotherapy.
It validates that an individual has provided exemplary services distinguished by
work of consistently high quality and adherence to the highest ethical standards.
It also recognizes exceptional humanitarian efforts, charitable works, and actions
that have contributed to the betterment of society.
- The Evergreen Psychotherapy Center is the only agency in Colorado registered with ATTACh (The Association for the Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children). Registrants must meet acceptable standards regarding techniques used, levels of practice, and quality of staff.
- Pioneers in the field, innovators of Corrective Attachment Therapy and Corrective
Attachment Parenting. Developed the two-week intensive treatment format used by
many attachment programs, around the world. No one has more experience doing this work.
- You will not be working with staff members or paraprofessional, but with the master
therapists directly. We only work with one individual or family at a time.
- Our approach is one of health rather than pathology. We believe that all
people deep down want to heal and are capable of achieving wholeness. Our
feelings and perceptions are based on what was taught to us by past
experiences. We come by them "innocently." We encourage strengths,
resources, and competencies. Using what is right to heal what is wrong.
We take a path of gentleness to develop a positive connection and promote
cooperation. Doing therapy "with them, not to them." This collaborative
approach has proven more effective and enduring.
- People do not operate in isolation. Attachment can only occur and can only
be healed in relationships. Emphasis is not just on the reduction of
behavioral problems in the child. We explore the child's impact on the
family as well as the family's impact on the child.
- Our program does not place children in foster homes during treatment.
We do not want to risk further rejection and abandonment. Families are
kept together and coached in the skills needed to stay together. Practice
builds success and success builds confidence.
- Attachment issues are seen as the core or "hub" of the wheel. Symptoms
such as ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder are viewed as spokes on the wheel. When the core issues are
addressed other problems become more readily resolved.
- Medication is often used with children in an attempt to modify severe
behaviors. Long term "chemical restraint" has several drawbacks. While
medication can be appropriate, our goal is to address the feelings of
anger, sadness, loss and fear underlying difficult behavior.
- The human brain is a hierarchy of three brains in one, each with different
chemistry and functions. The brain stem, located at the base of the skull,
controls survival instincts. The limbic system, wrapped around the
brain stem, governs our emotions and is the seat of attachment. The
cerebral cortex is the part of the brain that deals with rational, logical
thinking. We provide the lower brain centers with corrective emotional
experiences. This is why talk therapies that focus exclusively on the
cerebral cortex are limited in addressing attachment problems.
- We use a treatment team with every case. A team approach is more effective in providing support and therapeutic interventions. We only see one family at a time, offering them our full attention. Both co-directors participate in every case.
Critics have long decried a lack of solid treatment outcome research in the attachment field. We have two research studies which have withstood the rigorous scrutiny of doctoral dissertations.
- A retrospective longitudinal research study was conducted at the
Evergreen Psychotherapy Center. The study was designed to determine
the effectiveness of Corrective Attachment Therapy™, a combination of
emotional, cognitive, and family systems therapy as well as parenting
skills training. The analysis showed significant positive improvements in
six symptom categories (behavior, emotion, cognition, relationships,
physical, and moral/spiritual). These changes endured over time (up to
three years after treatment).
- This study demonstrated the efficacy of Corrective Attachment Therapy™ with a sampling of 50 adults. The adults came for treatment from as far away as England and Japan, as well as from across the United States. They represented a wide range of religions and occupations. Adults came for treatment as individuals, couples, and as part of a family. The research found that prior to treatment, most of the adults had less than secure attachments. Results proved that our program reduced their attachment and trauma symptomology. A majority reported much lower stress in their lives and a much improved quality of life. Adults with unresolved attachment were able to resolve trauma and found the strength to move on with their lives with a more positive view of the future. The research concluded that Corrective Attachment Therapy is effective and is grounded in well-founded therapy methods. See the Treatment Outcome Research page for more information.
Terry M. Levy, Ph.D., D.A.P.A., B.C.F.E.
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Dr. Terry Levy has been a psychotherapist, trainer, supervisor, and consultant for over thirty years. Dr. Levy is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Colorado and Florida, a Board Certified Forensic Examiner, and a Diplomate and Master Therapist of the American Psychotherapy Association. He is a clinical member of the American, Colorado, and Florida Psychological Associations, American and Colorado Associations of Marriage and Family Therapy, American Family Therapy Academy, and the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. Dr. Levy was previously founder and Director of the Family Life Center (Florida) and the Miami Psychotherapy Institute, which offered family systems treatment and training. He was cofounder and past president of the Board of Directors of the Association for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children (ATTACh), an international organization dedicated to attachment and its critical importance to human development. Dr. Levy has taught clinical and therapeutic parenting seminars for the American Psychological Association, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Association for Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Health, American Academy of Psychotherapists, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Child Welfare League of America, National Foster Parents Association, and numerous mental health, child welfare, and school systems nationally and in Canada, Europe, and Asia. He is coauthor of the best seller Attachment, Trauma & Healing (1998, Child Welfare League of America), editor of Handbook of Attachment Interventions (2000, Elsevier Press), and coauthor of Healing Parents: Helping Wounded Children Learn to Trust and Love (2006, Child Welfare League of America). Dr. Levy is currently co-director of the Evergreen Psychotherapy Center and the Attachment Treatment and Training Institute in Evergreen, Colorado. |
Michael Orlans, M.A., D.A.P.A., B.C.F.E.
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Michael Orlans is an internationally renowned author and trainer who has taught throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Japan. A Certified Master Therapist with over 32 years of clinical experience working with children, adults, and families in public mental health, the criminal justice system, and private practice. He is co-director of the Evergreen Psychotherapy Center and the Attachment Treatment and Training Institute. A pioneer in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with compromised attachment. He is the developer of Corrective Attachment Therapy and innovator of the two-week intensive treatment approach. Served on the faculty or lectured at several universities. Presenter for the National Foster Parent Association and a consultant to foster care programs and child welfare agencies around the world. Mr. Orlans is a cofounder of the Association for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children (ATTACh). Member of the Founding Executive Board of Directors of the American Psychotherapy Association, Association for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children, and the National Alliance for Rational Children's Policy. He is a Board Certified Forensic Examiner and Fellow of the College of the American College of Forensic Examiners. Diplomate in Psychotherapy - the American Psychotherapy Association; Certified Criminal Justice Specialist, Master Addictions Specialist - American College of Certified Forensic Counselors. He is a member of Colorado Psychotherapy Association and an honorary lifetime member of the Colorado Society for the Study of Traumatic Stress and Dissociation. Has contributed to numerous books, journals, and other publications. With Dr. Levy, he coauthored the bestseller, Attachment, Trauma, and Healing (1998, Child Welfare League of America), and Healing Parents: Helping Wounded Children Learn to Trust and Love (2006, Child Welfare League of America). |
Anthea G. Coster, Ph.D., N.C.C., L.P.C.
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Dr. Anthea Coster is an independently contracted Psychotherapist working with Evergreen Psychotherapy Center and in private practice. She has a Ph.D. in Psychology, an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and School Counseling; she is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, a National Certified Counselor, and holds Colorado State Provisional Licenses as a School Counselor and Substitute Teacher. She has a wide range of experience of dealing with people of all ages and cultures, on three continents. Dr. Coster was previously employed for seven years in Education working specifically with emotionally disturbed teenagers and as a Gifted and Talented Coordinator. She is a Member of the British Association for Counselling; Member of the American Counseling Association, Member of the National and Colorado Associations for Play Therapy. Her previous career was in accountancy, auditing and office management for thirty some years. Her volunteer work has covered: Volunteers of America (Seniors Yellow House, Evergreen); Bergen Elementary Library; Meals on Wheels (UK); Boy Scouts and Girl Guides Associations (UK); Boy Scouts of South Africa; The African Children's Feeding Scheme; Assisted at a swimming school teaching babies, children, and disabled adults. |
