Jewish Family Service of Buffalo & Erie County, New York [JFS] is a nonsectarian, not for profit, community-based health and social service provider that has served its community since 1862.
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Services Offered
Jewish Family Service of Buffalo & Erie County is a New York State licensed outpatient psychiatric clinic that provides diagnosis, counseling and treatment of mental and behavioral health disorders.
We offer client-centered, proactive services designed to help individuals learn to manage daily living demands, rapidly changing lifestyles, naturally occurring life transitions and situational crises with creative problem-solving and strengthened family and intimate relationships.
JFS We help individuals of all ages (children, teens, adults and seniors) and their families learn to live well by developing strategies and coping skills to manage anxiety and depression, eating disorders, problem gambling and other behavioral health challenges.
Fees and Payment
Jewish Family Service of Buffalo & Erie County accepts most forms of health insurance and offers affordable and sliding scale fees for individuals without insurance. Our programs are available to all residents in the JFS service area, regardless of age, sex, race, religious affiliation or ability to pay.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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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.