The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is the public agency that plans, organizes and provides services for Adults in our community who have mental illness, substance use disorders and/or developmental disabilitiesand youth in our community who have mental illness, substance use disorders and/or developmental disabilities. Counseling, medication, crisis response, and other services for people of all ages with mental health concerns.
Services Offered
Mental health services - Counseling, medication, crisis response, and other services for people of all ages with mental health concerns.
Emergency and crisis services - Emergency and Crisis Services are available for people who have a mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or developmental disability, are in acute distress, and need immediate help.
Behavioral health outpatient and case management services - Behavioral Health Outpatient & Case Management Services includes outpatient programming, case management, adult partial hospitalization and continuing care services for people with mental illness, substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders. Individuals served may also have co-occurring developmental disabilities.
Outpatient programs include psychosocial education and counseling (individual, group and family) - for adults whose primary needs involve substance use, but who may also have a mental illness. Services help people make behavioral changes that promote recovery, develop problem-solving skills and coping strategies, and help participants develop a positive support network in the community. Intensive outpatient services are provided for individuals who would benefit from increased frequency of services. Frequency of service varies depending on the individual's need. Continuing care services are available for individuals who have successfully completed more intensive outpatient services but who would benefit from periodic participation in group therapy, monitoring and service coordination to connect effectively to community supports. Turning Point, a program for young adults (ages 16-25), provides rapid intervention after a first episode of psychosis and subsequent wraparound services.
Case management services are strength-based, person-centered services - for adults who have serious and persistent mental or emotional disorders and who may also have co-occurring substance use disorders. Services focus on interventions that support recovery and independence and include supportive counseling to improve quality of life, crisis prevention and management, psychiatric and medication management and group and peer supports. The goal of case management services is to work in partnership with individuals to stabilize behavioral health crises and symptoms, facilitate a successful life in the community, help manage symptom reoccurrence, build resilience, and promote self-management, self-advocacy, and wellness.
Fees and Payment
The CSB charges fees to help pay some of the cost of our services (see the CSB Fee Schedule and the CSB Fee Regulation). We ask you for information so that we can set your fees appropriately. We then update this information at least once a year, or whenever your information changes.
The CSB accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards for payment at the time services are provided. The CSB will file health insurance claims for you with most insurance plans.
If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please notify your case manager or therapist at least 24 hours in advance. If you do not provide this advance notification and do not appear for your appointment, the CSB will charge you a $25 fee for the missed appointment.
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.