Therapeuticum.org

Home


What Our Patients Say

New: Women's Wellness

E-therapy

Brochures &
Readings


Programs

Psychotherapy

Intensive Outpatient Programs

Adult Programs

Child & Teen Programs

About Us

Staff

PATIENT SUPPORT

CONTACT US

Wanda Alteri

RN, MFT

Wanda Alteri

All of my life I have worked in the helping field. After graduation from D'Youville College in Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1971, I worked as a public health nurse in Niagara County, New York. I was in charge of our well baby clinic, the orthopedic clinic, and a caseload that contained city residents throughout the life span. I really enjoyed being able to work with the mothers and infants, as well as the elderly.

After the birth of my first child I worked as a clinical instructor for a community college for a short time. I also served as a volunteer lay lactation counselor for 18 years, and in that capacity ran support groups and made home visits with nursing mothers. I also took on several administrative positions, coordinated conferences, and served as a medical editorial advisor.

When my daughter entered college I worked for a short time in the special education office of a local school district, and my interest in psychology was rekindled.

I began my master's degree studies, and worked as a "Special Friend" in the school district. I performed nondirective play therapy with elementary school children and also ran groups for children with behavior issues in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. This was very meaningful work and helped me to know that I was finally in the profession where I was meant to be.

After getting my master's, I worked in a domestic violence treatment center, ran anger-management groups for wards at the Sacramento County Boys Ranch, and was coordinator of a counseling center at a foster family agency. I also was supervisor, program manager and trainer for a home visiting parent-support program.

When offered the opportunity to work with the families and children at the Fair Oaks Therapeuticum, I couldn't resist. I enjoy working with children and families and find relationship-based work to be very rewarding.

On a personal note, between my husband and myself we have seven children, born between 1973 and 1989. I love cooking and holding family gatherings and attend several family reunions each summer. I love history, working on genealogy, searching for antiques and renovating the 1905 Victorian house my husband and I purchased as a vacation home. I also love antique cars and am very active in the Sacramento Region Vintage Chevrolet Club of America. We recently purchased a 1934 Fairchild airplane, which my husband plans to restore while we take flying lessons. I also read history books and light mysteries for enjoyment. My love of history, family and anything old demonstrates a value of family, the joy of life's pleasures and life itself.



Last modified on 01.13.10

© All contents Copyright 2004-2010, Fair Oaks Therapeuticum

What's New
at Fair Oaks
Therapeuticum

Available Now:
Yoga for Kids

Individual yoga therapy sessions tailored to each child's needs. Designed to aid children's attention, relaxation, body awareness, and self-regulation. Call us at (916) 962-0222, extension 1# for more information.

KQED's Health Dialogues:
Talking About Pain

February 2010: KQED's Health Dialogues explores the latest research on chronic pain and how to treat it. Guests include Dr. Robert Brody, chief of the Pain Consultation Clinic at San Francisco General Hospital and Dr. Scott Fishman, chief of the Division of Pain Medicine at UC-Davis and president of the American Pain Foundation. Find more on the hourlong show here: "Health Dialogues: Pain."

L.A. Times: Families of autistic kids sue over cuts in therapy

February 2010: Families of autistic children in eastern Los Angeles County filed a class-action lawsuit today against the nonprofit agency that provides them with state-funded services, alleging that it had illegally discontinued their therapy for the disorder. The agency, the Eastern Los Angeles County Regional Center, informed more than 100 families late last summer that the therapy—known as the DIR model, or "developmental, individual difference, relationship-based"—was being eliminated for their children because of state budget cuts.

The therapy is the basis for a popular treatment known as Floortime, in which a therapist follows a child’s lead during play activities to build communication and social interaction skills.

Brain imaging may help diagnose autism

January 2010: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) process sound and language a fraction of a second slower than children without ASDs, and measuring magnetic signals that mark this delay may become a standardized way to diagnose autism. Researchers at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reported their findings in an online article in the journal Autism Research.

"More work needs to be done before this can become a standard tool, but this pattern of delayed brain response may be refined into the first imaging biomarker for autism," said study leader Timothy P.L. Roberts, Ph.D., vice chair of Radiology Research at Children’s Hospital.