Palomar Family Counseling Service is a nonprofit counseling agency formed in 1956 by community leaders who recognized a need in North County for professional and coordinated counseling services for children and families. Strong volunteer community support founded the agency's current main office in Escondido as well as the establishment of satellite offices in Fallbrook, Poway, and Vista. We have been incorporated since 1992 as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
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Services Offered
Office-based counseling services
Whether you or your child are struggling to adjust to a recent loss or change, or you are seeking to resolve deep-seated challenges that impact your day to day life, PFCS can help. Clinical staff include highly experienced licensed mental health professionals, registered associates pursuing licensure under clinical supervision, and Master's or doctoral level students completing their practicum requirements. PFCS offers individual, couples, and family therapy services in all four offices for all ages, ranging from pre-school aged children to senior adults.
Domestic Violence Offenders
- Weekly treatment groups for court-ordered offenders - Male and Female - English and Spanish
Domestic Violence Survivors
- Support groups for victims of domestic violence - Voluntary or authorized by Child Welfare Services
Anger Management
- Weekly treatment groups - Voluntary or Court-Ordered - Male and Female
Parenting
- Weekly parent education - Voluntary or authorized by Child Welfare Services
Substance Abuse
- Certified by the California Department of Health Care Services - Four month outpatient program - Male and Female Adults
Fees and Payment
Please visit or contact our office for your insurance, payment and program eligibility inquiries.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono Medicare Medicaid
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
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.