Northern Light Acadia Hospital is excited to announce the implementation of an exciting philosophy and approach to working with its pediatric population called Collaborative Problem-Solving®, or CPS. CPS is a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach that has been proven to reduce challenging behaviors, build relationships, and teach essential life skills to children.

Recognizing the unique needs of children with behavioral challenges, Northern Light Acadia Hospital is embracing the core philosophy of CPS that "kids do well if they can" and the belief that kids do not lack the will to behave well, they lack the skills to behave well. Collaborative Problem Solving empowers children and helps them develop critical skills such as emotional self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, language, communication, and social thinking skills.

Developed by Massachusetts General Hospital and adopted by organizations across the nation, including hospitals, schools, community service agencies, and more, the Collaborative Problem-Solving process begins with identifying triggers to a child's challenging behavior and the specific skills they need to develop. Then, adults partner with the child to build those skills and develop lasting solutions that work for everyone involved.

"At Northern Light Acadia Hospital, we are committed to providing the most effective, compassionate care for our patients," says Brent Scobie, PhD, LCSW, vice president, Clinical Excellence and Innovation at Acadia Hospital. "Collaborative Problem-Solving provides a useful alternative to traditional ways in which we often view kids who have challenging behaviors and offers a simple strategy for engaging them in finding solutions while developing their thinking skills at the same time.”

"The Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) approach has been a game-changer for our inpatient units," says George Goomishian, a psych tech for the Pediatric Inpatient department at Acadia. "By understanding that challenging behaviors often stem from skill deficits, we can help kids develop the thinking skills they need to succeed. For instance, a patient on the autism spectrum was struggling in group settings, but by using CPS techniques like empathy and identifying specific skill gaps, we were able to support the patient’s growth and help them socialize more effectively. It's incredibly fulfilling to see the positive impact of CPS on our guests."

Northern Light Acadia Hospital's adoption of the Collaborative Problem-Solving approach reflects its dedication to providing the highest standard of care for children and their families in the region. To learn more about the CPS approach and Northern Light Acadia Hospital's services, visit northernlighthealth.org/acadia.