SAGE Counseling, Inc. is a licensed behavioral health services provider that was founded in 1998 to provide individual, couples, family, and group counseling.  SAGE's programming serves adults, juveniles, and families and includes, but is not limited to, Substance Abuse Treatment and Education; Screening/Evaluation Services; Domestic Violence Offender Treatment, Anger Management Treatment, DUI Services; Cognitive Skills/Recidivism Reduction; Motivational Enhancement; Delinquency Prevention; Parenting Skills; Truancy Prevention; Community Service Project Supervision; Job Skills Training; Case Management; and Child Welfare Services.  Our primary focus is serving the criminal justice system and Child Protective Services (CPS).

Our interventions utilize evidence-based practices for the specific clinical group we are treating, e.g., substance abusing criminal offenders. We generally employ a cognitive behavioral approach within a psychoeducational format. We use structured curricula that are designed for our target population and make use of Motivational Interviewing and the Stages of Change model. We provide services in our thirteen out-patient service locations throughout Maricopa County, in clients’ homes, and in the detention facilities.

Substance Abuse Treatment

SAGE provides a range of Substance Abuse Education and Treatment services.  We utilize evidence-based practices, e.g., cognitive behavioral counseling and motivational interviewing.  These groups are located in our many satellite locations throughout Maricopa County. We offer both standard outpatient treatment groups (that typically meet twice per week for 30-36 sessions) and intensive outpatient groups (that typically initially meet three times per week for 40-48 sessions).  We also offer eight and sixteen hour substance abuse education programs, generally held on weekends.

              Underage Drinking Program

Our Underage Drinking Program is designed for those individuals ages 18 through 20 who have been charged with an alcohol-related offense and who do not meet the clinical criteria for our more intense alcohol and drug treatment programs.  This program has two components: an Education Class where an overview of common problems associated with alcohol use/abuse is offered, and short-term Alcohol and Drug Counseling, where individuals explore their reasons for using substances and the related consequences.  We examine clients’ thinking, beliefs, and decision making, as well as provide techniques for developing and maintaining a positive lifestyle.  The Education Classes are generally provided in two, day-long weekend sessions, and the Counseling Groups typically meet one time a week for two hours.

              Misdemeanor DUI Program

SAGE is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services to provide all three misdemeanor DUI services: Screening, Level II Education, and Level I Treatment. Our Level II Education groups are typically held on the weekends, and we offer approximately 50 different Level I Treatment groups per week throughout the valley.  Our fees for Level I Treatment are a package rate based on the number of hours assigned. 

              Lapse/Relapse Prevention

SAGE understands that not every individual is in need of a comprehensive treatment episode.  Sometimes individuals have experienced a lapse or relapse and would benefit most from a brief, targeted intervention.  These individuals may have a support system in place that encourages recovery and may only need assistance and guidance while they reestablish their recovery.  For these people, SAGE has developed a “Lapse/Relapse Prevention Group” that specifically assists clients in identifying common problems encountered in recovery, as well as their personal challenges.  We teach and rehearse skills to assist them in maintaining abstinence even during the most difficult times.  This group is typically 16 sessions long and meets one time each week.

             Drug Education

SAGE Counseling, Inc. offers both 8 and 16-hour Alcohol & Drug Education Classes.  Participants in these classes are provided with information about the biological, psychological, and social consequences of substance use and abuse.  An overview of the potential legal consequences of possession and/or use of drugs/alcohol is provided.  For those attending the 16 hour program, there is also an introduction to the signs and symptoms of addiction and its treatment.

             Motor Vehicle Department Evaluations

SAGE conducts two different Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) evaluations for individuals who are trying to get their driver’s licenses reinstated.  First, for those who have recently been cited for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), the MVD may require an initial substance abuse screening evaluation following a three-month suspension.  Secondly, for individuals whose license has been revoked, MVD requires a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor to conduct an evaluation and provide a recommendation regarding the reinstatement of the license.   

Domestic Violence

SAGE Counseling is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to provide court-ordered misdemeanor domestic violence offender treatment (see the Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3601.01. regarding requirements to complete such a program). We primarily utilize group rather than individual counseling, and have over twenty domestic violence offender treatment groups currently operating in Maricopa County.  We also have multiple treatment modalities to better serve a variety of clients.  Our groups are gender-specific and conducted in a psychoeducational format with a cognitive-behavioral approach.  We employ structured curricula and methodologies that are designed to increase clients' self-awareness of their controlling and abusive attitudes and behavior, enhance their sense of personal responsibility, and facilitate the integration of the material into their relationships.  The program particularly emphasizes clients' accountability, compliance with program and probation guidelines, and skill development and rehearsal.  Clients' assigned number of sessions follows the ADHS guidelines for licensed court-ordered domestic violence offender treatment programs.

            Multiple Domestic Violence Treatment Modalities:

In addition to the regular domestic violence offender treatment groups described above, SAGE also provides separate treatment for two other offender groups, those whose victims are children or non-romantic roommates or family members.

            Parent Offenders: Child Victims

In addition to the general themes addressed in our regular groups (power and control, gender dynamics, inappropriate entitlement, cognitive distortions, reframing, utilizing positive self-talk, etc.), these groups also focus on general parenting skills, appropriate discipline strategies and techniques, setting limits with children, co-parenting, and parenting within blended families. The Parent Offender groups are part of SAGE's ADHS licensed program and also qualify for the requirements imposed in the Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3601.01.

            Non-Romantic Partner/Family Victims

SAGE Counseling, Inc. offers this group for people who are charged with domestic violence but do not fit the clinical criteria that is typically associated with domestic violence offenders.  For these individuals, more emphasis will be placed on recognizing patterns of thinking and behavior that are ineffective and aggressive, as well as teaching and rehearsing coping skills for future potentially problematic situations, including self-calming techniques, communication skills, conflict resolution, emotional literacy, stress management techniques, problem-solving skills, etc.  These groups are part of SAGE's ADHS licensed program and also qualify for the requirements imposed in the Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3601.01.

Anger Management

This program is designed for clients with clinical issues based more on aggressiveness and poor impulse control across multiple relationships, rather than a pattern of power and control within intimate relationships.  The program is not for clients with a domestic violence conviction and does not fulfill the requirements for completing a licensed domestic violence offender treatment program.  The program concentrates on improving impulse control, increasing clients' self-awareness of their controlling and aggressive attitudes and behavior, enhancing their sense of personal responsibility and pro-social attitudes, and building multiple skills, e.g., conflict-resolution, problem-solving, communication, and positive self-talk.  These groups are generally co-ed.

Juvenile Justice Services

SAGE provides the following services for juveniles and their families: Substance Abuse Counseling (Standard and Intensive Outpatient), Assessment and Evaluation, Delinquency Prevention/Intervention Services, General Mental Health Counseling, Education for various problematic behavior (e.g., Truancy or Substance Abuse), and Community Service Project Supervision.  The above services are provided both in-office and in-home.

SAGE is contracted with the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide services to juveniles in the County Juvenile Probation Departments.  We also provide a Diversion Program through the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for juveniles who are pre-charged.  These services include Education Classes for different topics (varying lengths), supervised community service, and tracking/payment of restitution to victims.

SAGE’s approach for adolescent treatment focuses on intervening in the cognitive sets that support relapse (into substance abuse) and recidivism (into criminal conduct).  This is most effectively accomplished through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that addresses two key components: a) Cognitive Restructuring Skills (positive self-talk, thought stopping, thought replacement, modifying problematic behavior beliefs, effective decision making, managing guilt, anger and stress, etc… and b) Social Skills Training (communication skills, problem solving skills, conflict resolution skills, relating with substance-free peers, and life-style/life balance skills).

Intensive Family Preservation Program (FPPT)

Through the FPPT program, SAGE provides intensive crisis-oriented case-management services to families who have been referred by CPS. The families in this program have children who are considered to be potentially at risk due to abuse and/or neglect issues. The goal of intervention is to improve the family situation in order to increase safety for everyone, so that the children can remain in the home and/or return to their own home as soon as possible. Services offered include communication and negotiation skills, parenting skills training, home management skills, job readiness training, case management, and developing linkages to appropriate community resources.

Detention Center Services

SAGE provides a variety of inmate counseling and education services within various adult and juvenile incarceration centers.  We serve men, women, and juveniles (including those who have been adjudicated as adults).  Our programs include Anger Management, Cognitive Restructuring, Domestic Violence, Fathering, Employment Skill Building, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Individual Crisis Counseling.  Programming is generally offered in groups (which are gender-specific) and conducted in a psychoeducational format with a cognitive-behavioral approach.

Parenting Classes

Parenting classes are designed to assist clients in the enhancement of their current skills as well as the development and rehearsal of new skills.  Appropriate strategies for dealing with difficult parenting situations are addressed, as well as positive communication skills, appropriate use of discipline, parents’ self-care, setting boundaries, anger management, developmental stages of childhood/adolescence, self esteem, and managing family conflicts.

Motivational Enhancement

This course of treatment addresses clients’ own motivation to change by exploring methods of enhancing self awareness, self assessment, examination of problematic beliefs, and ways to remove obstacles for change.  It also addresses the Stages of Change Model, Problem Solving Skills, Boundary-Setting, Delaying Gratification, and Goal Setting. This program is designed to assess clients’ needs, including the possible need for other types of treatment.

Cognitive Skills/Recidivism Reduction Group

This intervention is grounded in the idea that our feelings and behaviors are directed by our thoughts, not by external factors, such as people, situations, or events.  The benefit of this knowledge is the understanding that we can change the way we think to change the way we feel and act, even if the external situation does not change.  Clients experience greater success as they increase their self-awareness and gain understanding of the process of change.  This approach is based on the scientifically supported assumption that most emotional and behavioral reactions are learned.  Therefore, the goal of counseling is to help clients unlearn their unwanted reactions (including criminal behavior) and learn new ways of reacting.  SAGE will teach clients about the effects of their current problem-solving styles in order to gain the knowledge necessary to develop healthy lives.  This group is designed to instill values, increase empathy, promote the participants' making positive changes, and enhance pro-social behavior.

Community Services Management and Oversight

SAGE partners with a variety of valley agencies, churches, and community organizations to provide supervision for clients required to perform community service as a part of their deferred prosecution, diversion agreement, probation, or conviction consequences.  The community service projects we implement are not simply ‘punishment.’  Rather, they are couched within a Restorative Justice approach.  We will provide clients with meaningful opportunities to not only give back to the community, but also benefit from the experience.  Many projects are creative, contribute to others, and offer an experience in which they can take pride, e.g., painting murals, painting over graffiti, or maintaining community gardens.  Others are more mundane, such as cleaning up ‘blighted areas’, painting fire hydrants, cleaning up landscapes, and general cleaning projects.

When possible, the projects link the clients to their community and increase their sense of belonging.  The activities provide them with a sense of accomplishment that is an important step towards improving their self-concept and building hope for the future.  The clients are supervised by SAGE staff throughout the day—while working, taking breaks, finding solutions for obstacles that arise, etc., so the staff members have multiple occasions to coach clients and reinforce lessons from the other interventional components (such as Education Classes or Counseling Groups).

Other Outpatient Services

SAGE offers other outpatient services including individual, couples, and family counseling; clinical assessments for various conditions/populations; parenting classes; motivational enhancement; a self-paced workbook for domestic violence offender intervention, and other programs that are requested by community or governmental entities.