CTS has historically specialized in working with youth who are at risk for out of community placement. These youth have had multiple failures in other settings or may be ready to be reintegrated into the community from residential programs. Our work with this population is the cornerstone of the CTS mission and has reinforced our core expertise-strengths-based, multi-disciplinary and multidimensional individualized interventions for youth who present with complex issues. This individualized approach, which has been the hallmark of CTS services throughout our 20-year existence in New Jersey, requires expertise in child development, cultural diversity, psychosocial needs assessment and service planning. CTS is an expert in implementing state of the art and flexible interventions that involve traditional and nontraditional resources and stakeholders in the youth's welfare.
Services Offered
Outpatient Mental Health Services -CTS Outpatient Mental Health Services is the least intensive program on CTS' continuum of care. Services include individual therapy, family therapy and couples therapy.
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.
