Counseling Center
The YFS Counseling Center's mission is to help young people and their families find a sense of worth, identity and meaning through counseling, and crisis intervention.
The YFS Counseling Center offers intervention and therapeutic counseling services to 400 to 500 young people and their families each year. A majority of the clients participate in other YFS programs and receive counseling as part of their participation. The YFS Counseling Center staff focuses on issues of alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, personality development and crime victimization.
Professional services are provided by graduate-degreed counselors who are trained and experienced in working with youth and their families. Staff members are trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, art and sand-tray therapy, alcohol and drug evaluations and education.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
Our Programs
The YFS Counseling Center oversees the Male Health Project, as well as the Western Prevention Resource Center (WPRC).
Male Health Project
The Male Health Project, doubled in size last year due to a new federal grant. The program focuses on helping boys understand their sexuality and related health issues, advocating for boys to have access to health care services, and focusing on reducing risky behaviors. The project staff are developing a new website, MensHealthGuide.org, to provide health education and resources to all men in our community.
Highlights
- This past year, the YFS Counseling Center served 443 youth and family members through assessment, counseling and prevention education. Of this number, 122 clients were victims of crime.
- The Male Health Project served 99 boys in its extensive health advocacy program. The “Wise Guys” life-skills education sessions reached over 1,100 youth this year.
- All four of the YFS counselors have master’s degrees in counseling as well as specialized training in issues related to children and families.
