Launched in 1970 by volunteer physicians Philip Rossman, MD, founder, and Mayer B. Davidson, MD, co-founder, Venice Family Clinic first operated in space borrowed from a small, store-front dental office after normal business hours. There was-and remains-a tremendous unmet need for affordable health care for those who live in poverty.
Today, with twelve sites, Venice Family Clinic is the medical home for people who might otherwise go without critically needed health care services.
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Services Offered
Mental Health Services The Clinic's mental health program provides counseling, psychiatric services, and psychosocial support related to the social stress of poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and domestic violence. Services include crisis intervention as well as individual, family, and group therapy.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Venice Family Clinic embraces a harm reduction model for our patients with substance use disorders. Our providers can prescribe medications, including naltrexone and buprenorphine, for those who come to us with alcohol use and opiate use disorders. We have a team of therapists, counselors and a case manager available to help patients achieve and maintain sobriety goals through counseling, groups and other supportive approaches.
Domestic Violence Intervention Venice Family Clinic's Safe Families Domestic Violence Intervention Program helps more than 250 women per year. Services include individual and group counseling, advocacy, and emergency medical care. The program also serves children who witness violence between their parents.
Health Education, Promotion, and Community Outreach Venice Family Clinic enhances patients' health care through education about nutrition, disease management, reproductive counseling, prenatal care, child safety, pediatric literacy, teen health, dental health, and substance abuse.
Fees and Payment
Health insurance enrollment (Medi-Cal, Covered California, My Health LA, and other available programs).
A Sliding Fee Discount program is available to all patients. Patients can apply by completing an application made available at any of our locations. Appropriate proof of income will be required. The discount is based on an individual's family size and income.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
Qualifying for assistance from California's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to California's program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.