Connections Individual and Family Services (Connections) is a 501 (c) 3 private, non-profit organization that was founded by a group of community leaders in 1981 to provide a safe and secure alternative to the "streets" for homeless, abused, or at-risk youth. Today, Connections provides program services in eighteen (18) rural counties and operates thirteen (13) counseling offices and three (3) residential locations. Connections serves the following counties: Aransas, Atascosa, Bastrop, Bee, Caldwell, Comal, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Lee, Live Oak, McMullen, Refugio, San Patricio, Wilson, and Zavala.
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Services Offered
Counseling Outpatient Services
We are here to help! Connections provides therapy for people of all ages for a variety of reasons.
Problems addressed include, but are not limited to: depression anxiety loss and grief anger management marital conflict family conflict substance abuse trauma resolution Connections provides individual, family, and group therapy services.
Counseling for Children, Teens & Families
Sometimes children and families need a little help to identify and address problems early and to reduce family conflict. More than 2,000 children, teens, and families seek counseling from Connections each year for FREE services that address: self-esteem anger management friendships peer pressure social skills making good choices school truancy running away bullying problem behaviors family crisis, such as separation, divorce, illness, or death of loved ones fears coping skills family communication parental help with limit setting blended family struggles school problems sadness adjustments to new situations and more
Crisis intervention Free family, individual, and group counseling (also available in Spanish) Education and support groups for parents and youth that include parenting skills, stress management, problem-solving Parenting classes and parent support Information and training to prevent child abuse Short-term, emergency respite for youth ages 10-17 to address problematic behaviors and to help resolve family conflict Linkages to other services in the community as needed Who qualifies to receive services?
Children ages 0-17 and their families who are not receiving formal services from juvenile probation and are not involved with Child Protective Services due to child abuse or neglect. Not sure if you qualify? Give us a call and we can assist you.
Youth Counseling
Sometimes youth need a little help understanding and coping as they grow up. Young people often struggle with family conflict, uncertainty in their environment, school problems, peer problems, depression, anxiety, anger, or even emerging mental health issues. The skilled and compassionate counselors at Connections help youth identify the strengths to overcome obstacles and develop the skills to move forward into a brighter future. Individual, group, and family counseling are available at various agency locations, schools, community sites, and even in the home when needed.
Fees and Payment
Services are provided on a sliding scale fee (payment) or for Medicaid reimbursement.
Services Offered To: Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
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.