United Action for Youth offers an incredible array of stimulating programs to over 2,600 people annually, serving young people and parents in Johnson County and surrounding counties.
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Services Offered
Youth Counseling - UAY therapists and counselors have expertise in concerns facing teens and parents.
Family Conflict - Helping families discuss tough issues, including rules, responsibilities, transition to adulthood, divorce and custody.
Depression or Anxiety - Working with the prescribing physician to increase positive coping skills, self-esteem, and social relationships.
Trauma - UAY counselors are trained and funded by the Iowa Attorney General's Office of Crime Victim Assistance to provide specialized help to those that have witnessed or been the victim of violent crime, including domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, homicide and child abuse.
Grief and Loss - Helping youth to work through the loss of a family member or friend, including healthy techniques to express grief, communicate feelings and rebuild relationships.
Healthy Relationships - Helping youth and families understand and discuss how young people get along with each other, building a supportive family and peer network to reduce risky behavior.
UAY counselors balance listening with talking, they don't lecture or blame. They adapt their style to increase a youth's comfort. UAY Counseling offers a variety of services for teenagers that can be selected individually, or combined to provide a blend that includes coping skills, social coaching, self-expression and self-esteem. UAY counselors utilize art, roleplaying, sculpting and doing, to help a teen communicate difficult issues safely. UAY staff can meet with teens individually, or the parents of teens individually or provide family therapy.
Counseling for Parents of Teens - Concerned for your son or daughter? Experiencing conflict at home? UAY counselors provide parents with valuable information and tools to assist their own child or improve communication in the family. Staff are always available to brainstorm ideas, or offer a different perspective. UAY therapists and counselors have expertise in concerns facing teens and parents including: family conflict, depression or anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, and healthy relationships. UAY staff can meet with the parents of teens by themselves or provide family therapy.
Fees and Payment
UAY accepts: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Hawk-i Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Title IXX, and Iowa Medicaid.
Some grant funding is available for families without resources.
This is a non profit agency.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: LGBTQ
Payment: Pro-bono
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?
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.