Mental Health Services Vital to Children at St. Joe's
New Clinical Director Provides Comprehensive Oversight 
Kelly* watched a family member kill her younger sibling before the county removed her from her home and placed her in a foster home – all by the age of nine.
Kelly came to St. Joseph’s Home for Children, where caring staff and therapeutic mental health services helped her cope with post-traumatic stress.
As St. Joe’s new Clinical Director, Brownell Mack III, Pys.D., L.P., oversees the mental health services in St. Joe’s Day Treatment, Residential Treatment and Emergency Shelter programs that serve children such as Kelly.
“Our overall goal is to prepare children for what comes beyond St. Joe’s,” Mack said, explaining that children with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances come to St. Joe’s because they can’t function in mainstream settings such as public schools.
The children suffer from illnesses such as depression, Reactive Attachment Disorder and anxiety. To help increase a child’s chances for success, staff members involve guardians in the therapeutic plans whenever possible.
A team approach
St. Joe’s staff members adhere to a team approach to help children identify and build on their strengths. Therapists collaborate with youth counselors, teachers and chaplains to ensure daily activities, from play time to occupational therapy, support each child’s tailored treatment plan.
“Staff members model and build caring, trusting relationships, something the children may have lacked before coming to St. Joe’s,” Mack said.
Learning how to trust adults and regulate her emotions was imperative for Kelly as she moved into a new foster home. She now utilizes these skills daily in a mainstream school.
“Children receive a constant source of support at St. Joe’s – no matter how much they struggle,” Mack said. “Having this steady message of love is a platform to build and adopt skills for the future.”
*Name changed for privacy
