Providing mental health services for over 25 years
Established in June of 1993 by Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Emilio Amigo, Amigo Family Counseling, LLC (AFC) has provided specialized mental health services for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families for over 25 years. Amigo Family Counseling offers comprehensive treatment for individuals living with a variety of neurological, developmental, and mental health diagnoses. Our center specializes in therapeutic services for those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, primarily through Dr. Amigo’s Respons∙ability Social Therapy™ (RST) program. We also provide treatment for those living with a variety of other diagnoses and life challenges, including: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety / Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorders, Panic, Trauma/PTSD, Attention Deficit Disorders and other Disruptive Behavior Disorders of Childhood, Sensory Processing challenges, Depression, Developmental Disorders, and Communication Issues for families and couples.
Contact
➤ LOCATION
355 E. Campus View Blvd., # 105, Columbus, OH 43235
☎ CONTACT
amigofamcounsel105@gmail.com
(614) 310-1234 (phone)
(614) 310-1237 (fax)
“You are doing truly noble work and it is people like you that make the world a better place... these young [clients] are fortunate to have a champion like you at their side.”
Areas of Practice
AUTISM SPECTRUM DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATIONS
According to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, about 1 in 59 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and is about 4 times more common among boys than among girls. ASD commonly co-occurs with other developmental, psychiatric, neurologic, chromosomal, and genetic diagnoses. Parents who have a child with ASD have a 2%–18% chance of having a second child who is also affected. Even though ASD can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2 years, most children are not diagnosed with ASD until after age 4 years.
For the past 19 years, Dr. Amigo and Michael Bayda, MSW, LISW have worked together to provide diagnostic evaluations for suspected Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in individuals as young as 14 months up to adults in their 50’s. Their evaluations are modeled on best practice standards and utilize both structured and unstructured clinical interviews and standardized psychological tests, many of which are part of the annual Respons∙ability Social Therapy™ Annual Assessments.
RESPONS·ABILITY SOCIAL THERAPY™ (RST)
A weekly group therapy program designed to address the social deficits of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The purpose is to improve one’s abilities to initiate, maintain, and sustain social relationships and to enhance the verbal and nonverbal communication aspects of social interaction. Groups may also include those who do not have an ASD diagnosis but still struggle with these social abilities.
RESPONS•ABILITY SOCIAL THERAPY™ ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS
All members involved in the RST Groups are required to do initial and annual diagnostic evaluations and functional assessments. These evaluations are scientifically valid and reliable measures. Initial assessments allow for a professional differential diagnosis and give a baseline of diagnostic, developmental, behavioral and functional abilities so that longitudinal progress or decline can be measured. Annual assessments allow us to track clinical outcomes through time and assist with treatment planning.
SOCIAL IMMERSION ACTIVITIES
Friday Night “Community Groups” wherein clients engage in a wide variety of activities in a social gathering atmosphere at our center. Activities include: a movie club, a video game club, a room for board games, card games, or role playing, an art and drawing room, a karaoke and dance area, and other activities. Other times, we view movies at a local cinema. Social immersion helps clients practice real-life social situations, develop rewarding friendships, and build a larger social network.
CREATIVE SOCIAL ARTS PROGRAM
The Creative Social Arts Program at AFC includes a 20-week long Acting Workshop (AW) program that culminates in a theater production at a local downtown theater. Our AW program is instrumental in the development of a host of skills used in social relationships such as attention, group dynamics, awareness, and verbal & nonverbal communication. AFC also offers dance instruction for individuals and couples and is soon to offer group movement workshops.
integrative medicine program
Amigo Family Counseling is soon to offer an Integrative Medicine Program where clients can apply holistic, mind-body health practices to improve their mental and physical health and overall well-being. Integrative health practices will be coordinated with AFC’s ongoing efforts to help clients with life skills. The focus of the integrative health program at AFC is to develop tangible, sustainable, & measurable change toward health, balance, and fulfillment.
other clinical services
IEP Educational Consultation & Advocacy
Parent Guidance & Counseling
Individual Psychotherapy
Short-Term Problem-Focused Therapy
Individual Social Skill Building
Daily and Continued Life Skill Building
Collaborations
collaborative clinical research projects
The Ohio State University Department of City and Regional Planning in the Knowlton School of Architecture is collaborating with Amigo Family Counseling to learn how those in the city planning profession can improve the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder by building better places that account for their needs and interests. Clients from AFC who are living with ASD are informing city planners about how individuals with ASD live their lives in their community so that city planners may design better community considering how individuals with ASD get around, the kind of place they live, and how and where they like to play or relax, with the goal to create environments where adults with autism can thrive.
Our Emotional Support Therapy Dogs
There are two Emotional Support Therapy Dogs here at Amigo Family Counseling. Manny is a 6 year old Zuchon Teddy Bear Dog -- a cross breed between a Bichon Frise and a Shih Tzu. Manny brings a very supportive presence to the clinic with his calm demeanor and mature age. Astro, a 2 year old Chocolate Toy Poodle, has a silly and affectionate manner that brings many smiles and much laughter to our clients. Through companionship and affection, Manny and Astro therapeutically help our clients by improving mood, alleviating emotional distress, and facilitating socialization.
