SAVE was founded in 1976 as a grassroots organization by a group of Tri-Cities women who sought to provide support to victims of domestic violence. At the time, there were no shelters in Southern Alameda County that could serve the specific needs of individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.
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Services Offered
Individual Counseling Talking about intimate partner abuse can help you gain perspective and begin the process of healing. SAVE offers free, confidential individual counseling. Whether you are currently in a relationship or have experienced past abuse, we can help provide you with tools to break the cycle of violence.
About SAVE's Individual Counseling Program: SAVE's individual counseling is free and confidential, and available to all genders. Counseling is provided by supervised Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) candidates. Appointments are available Monday through Saturday at SAVE's Community Office in Fremont. Morning, afternoon, and early evening appointments are available. For more information or to request counseling, call SAVE 's 24-Hour Hotline at (510) 794-6055. There is a 7 to 10 business day waiting period from when you request counseling to the date you are contacted by a counselor to set up an appointment. If you need support while you're waiting to begin counseling, call SAVE's 24-Hour Hotline at (510) 694-6055 or attend one of SAVE's free Drop-In Support Group sessions.
Fees and Payment
SAVE is a nonprofit organization.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens
Payment: Pro-bono
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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.