WORKS, INC.
What We Offer
All of our services and programs are driven by our mission to provide effective prevention and support to individuals and organizations who are looking for ways to increase adaptive thinking and accountability, and to learn respectful life skills.
Change
This State of Illinois approved, 26-week program is designed to confront the dynamics of intimate partner violence. Perpetrators of abusive behavior meet in 90-minute groups that are held both online and in-person weekly. We offer groups for men and women in English and in Spanish.
Options
This 24-week program is designed for women who have been identified as survivors/victims of intimate partner violence. Group members learn about the nature of abuse as well the impact of domestic violence on children and families. Options seeks to address the complex nature of victimization and true to its name, assist group members in identifying what options they have in keeping themselves and their families safe. This 90-minute group is currently offered online via Zoom.
Parenting Education
Group (PEGS)
This 8-week parenting course focuses on the concept of choice and accountability in parenting. Parents will develop and understanding of thinking patterns and identify vulnerabilities that set up unhelpful parent-child interactions. This 90-minute group is currently offered online via Zoom.
Parent-Child Skill Building
Designed as a model for early intervention (ages 0-5), we have modified our parenting education program to work directly with children and their parents on establishing healthy bonds. We will work with each family to identify areas where support is needed and offer support in understanding and implementing developmentally appropriate practices with their children.
Thinking Skills
This 16-week program is designed for individuals demonstrating a pattern of irresponsible and abusive behaviors. Individuals are often referred to this program through the court systems for "anger management" educational services. Groups are provided in English for men and women and in Spanish for men. This 90-minute group is currently offered online via Zoom.
Alternatives
This 12-week program is designed for college students involved in the disciplinary system, and any students interested in learning respectful problem-solving skills. This 90-group is currently offered in-person.
Responsible Choices
This 16-week program is designed to accompany Illinois county Drug Court programs. The course incorporates fundamental Language Choice Therapy interventions providing individuals an opportunity to identify unhelpful thinking patterns contributing to drug and alcohol abuse/dependence patterns and replace them with responsible life skills. This 90-minute group is offered in-person at Champaign County’s court house.
Welcome to Cognition Works
"A resource based on intervention and change"
- Joyce B. Sousa M.A., LCPC
Established in 1997, Cognition Works, Inc. has been providing a wide range of services and programs based on our cognitive/behavioral treatment model called Language Choice Therapy. This model is particularly effective in addressing a wide range of mental health issues- depression, anxiety disorders, general adjustment issues and recovery from abuse.
In addition, we have designed educational programs to address unhelpful behavior patterns that challenge organizations and individuals from reaching their full potential. We suggest that no matter where we are- at work, at home, or picking up groceries in the supermarket, we are in contact with others. How do we encourage cooperation in these situations? Who is responsible for what? How do we negotiate responsibilities? We recognize that navigating interpersonal conflict can be difficult for many and we implore clients to identify how their thinking may prevent them from making responsible choices. Our programs are designed to provide context, language and skills for interactions that have the potential for conflict by exploring our individual or group accountability. We focus on the thinking that each of us uses to make choices in our daily lives and on effective problem-solving skills for an array of life’s challenges.
A key component of change is identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and learning what responsible replacements for those patterns we are willing to utilize. An outcome of learning new thinking patterns is the ability to generate new options as well as to become self-intervening, which in turn promotes self-confidence and effective life skills.
Our Mission
The mission of Cognition Works, Inc. is to provide effective prevention and support services to individuals and organizations who are looking for ways to increase adaptive thinking and self-accountability, and to learn respectful life skills. We seek to provide support to all individuals regardless of their race, sex, gender, sexual-orientation, religious beliefs, socio-economic status or educational background.
Quotes from our Curriculum
Creating an opportunity to learn
Take the first step towards improving your mental wellbeing by scheduling an intake with one of our staff members.