CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Charleston Hope is expanding its THRIVE program this fall to include play therapy for children as young as three years old, enhancing school-based mental health services in the Lowcountry. The initiative has launched at Memminger Elementary School, joining Hunley Park Elementary and Pepperhill Elementary in providing clinical mental health care within school premises.
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The embedded clinical team at each school consists of a licensed clinician, graduate interns, and a care coordinator dedicated to ensuring continuous care for students. By managing five steps of the therapy referral process, Charleston Hope alleviates burdens on working parents, offering services without any cost or insurance requirements. Emily Kerr, the founder and executive director of Charleston Hope, noted that the primary gap in children’s mental health care lies not in the availability of therapists but in the transition from referral to appointment.
The THRIVE program has recently introduced Child-Centered Play Therapy, enabling children to lead the therapy sessions and select the activities they engage in. Kerr explained that this approach utilizes play as a natural form of communication, which can help reduce aggression and improve emotional well-being over time.
School officials highlight the urgent need for early intervention, citing evidence of anxiety and depression in younger children. Within the first two weeks of the school year, therapists conducted seven suicide risk assessments for children aged six and seven. The program aims to deliver one-on-one and small-group therapy during the school day in a dedicated play therapy room, allowing students to access care conveniently.
The care coordinator plays a vital role in facilitating each child’s journey from initial concern to therapy completion, ensuring consistent communication with families and monitoring progress. Each THRIVE participant undergoes an assessment at the beginning and end of treatment, and session data is meticulously documented for ongoing evaluation.
Last year, the THRIVE program provided 907 hours of individual therapy to 60 students, resulting in significant improvements in anxiety, depression, and social skills. Memminger Elementary Principal Michael Antonelli praised the program’s positive impact on the school community and its supportive role for students.
Two out of the three participating schools have started contributing to funding from their operational budgets, reflecting their belief in the program's effectiveness. Charleston Hope anticipates serving approximately 100 students this school year and aims to offer over 1,500 hours of direct therapy alongside 2,400 hours of care coordination. Additionally, it plans to expand its services to ten elementary schools in the Tri-County area by June 2029.
Kerr emphasized the importance of community support in this expansion, indicating a strong commitment to addressing the youth mental health crisis. Charleston Hope, founded in 2012, operates to deliver mental health services, group programming, and trauma-informed training at no cost to families. Schools interested in participating can reach out to Kerr at [email protected].