Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Susan Istre.
Dr. Istre, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Parenting is a tough job that none of us has any training to do. When I was a young mother of three, including two ADHD boys, I found myself in need of some practical advice about how to help my kids deal with social challenges —and could find few resources. So I decided to focus my graduate training in this area to help my own and other children and families with similar issues. My dissertation, was entitled, “Social Skills of Pre-Adolescent Boys with ADHD” —launched my career as a counselor and became my mission in life.
Has it been a smooth road?
I started out providing social skills groups for kids and offering behavior management advice to parents. Within a few years I had more families than I could serve as a solo practitioner so I began hiring other therapists who specialized in working with children and families and incorporated as The Center for Social Success. It was a challenge to ensure that we were all teaching the same things — so I developed a social skills curriculum for staff and wrote a set of ten books for children to help solidify the new skills they were learning.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Center for Social Success – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Today the Center for Social Success has eight highly specialized staff therapists to provide counseling for children and families. We are unique in providing social skills groups for boys and girls of all ages- preschool through adolescence. We strive to make counseling both fun and effective by incorporating puppies in our animal assisted therapy program and going to fun places in the community to practice newly learned social skills. We are a comprehensive family counseling clinic that also address issues like anxiety, depression, aggression, school problems. ADHD, LD, ASD, marital issues and blended family concerns.
Do you feel like our city is a good place for businesses like yours? If someone was just starting out, would you recommend them starting out here? If not, what can our city do to improve?
Dallas is a great community with many excellent private schools for children with and without special needs. Parents in our city want the best for their kids and realize they often need some emotional coaching to overcome life’s challenges. Emotional intelligence is critical to ensure personal happiness and success in life. More trained therapists are needed to serve the DFW area- so it is a great opportunity for therapists with an interest in this specialty area.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12880 Hillcrest Plaza Drive Suite 105 Dallas Texas 75287
- Website: Www.dristre.com
- Phone: 972 404-3001
- Email: susani@dristre.com
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
