The mission of Family Counseling Services of Cortland County, Inc. is to provide affordable and accessible outpatient behavioral health care and prevention services for children, teens, and adults.

---

You May Also Consider (Sponsored)

Quick Start Online Therapy: Tell Us a Little About Yourself and Get Matched With a Therapist Right for You

Take a simple guided quiz and let us know your preferences. Get matched to an online therapist right for you. Convenient and affordable online therapy from your phone, tablet or computer.

Have you been in therapy before?

---

Services Offered

Family and Marriage Counseling - The family is a social system with its own structure and communication patterns. Each family has a unique personality, which is a powerful influence on all of its members. As a result, all members are affected when one member has a problem. Family Counseling Services offers Family and Marriage Counseling as a way to help families support individuals within the unit, as well as the family as a whole.

Youth Counseling - Young people often experience depression, low self-esteem, isolation, frustration, and confusion as they navigate the difficulties of adolescence. And for children and teens who suffer from traumatic pasts, it can be a challenge to find help they trust and respond to. Family Counseling Services offers a safe environment for children and teens to seek services for emotional and chemical dependency issues, as well as access prevention resources to discourage risky behavior. Teens can find information and a welcoming community at the LGBT Resource Center. They can take advantage of mentoring programs, youth groups, individual or group counseling, and the resources available at both Family Counseling Services and Cortland Prevention Resources to help them become happier and healthier.

School-Based Counseling - One in five children experiences a mental health challenge. The earlier children and adolescents receive services to address their mental health needs, the better the outcome. School-Based Counseling helps schools and parents identify these needs and address them appropriately. In-school services are convenient for both children and families. Because counseling is provided during the school day, there is decreased difficulty with scheduling, transportation, and attendance. School-Based Counseling allows families better access to the counselors and resources available to them. FCS counselors have a presence throughout the Cortland City School District, including elementary schools, the Junior/Senior High School, and the Alternative High School. School-based counselors can be found in Marathon, DeRuyter, McGraw, Homer, and Cincinnatus as well. These schools all participate in Early Recognition Screening in order to identify needs and respond quickly. Staff hopes to encourage and support emotional wellness within students as a way to promote success in school and within the community.

Mental Health Counseling - Mental Health Counseling has been offered by Family Counseling Services in the Cortland area since the 1970s and has continued to grow as a service in the Cortland, Cincinnatus, and Oneida clinics. Clients can take advantage of individual counseling or attend group sessions. FCS offers medications management services in Cortland and Oneida to those who qualify. Counseling can help those with major trauma and emotional concerns as well as those who need support with their daily struggles. The agency's no waiting list policy makes it possible for clients to access the help they need when they need it.

Chemical Dependency Counseling - Family Counseling Services' Chemical Dependency clinic was established in 1988 and offers both intensive and non-intensive outpatient care at the Cortland and Oneida clinics. Clients can take advantage of individual and/or group counseling to help address their needs. If a higher level of care is required, FCS can assist in making referrals to clinically appropriate options, such as inpatient care, detoxification, or half-way house residency. In addition to offering services to those struggling with addiction, FCS offers services to the family members of those who are struggling. And with no waiting list, clients can access the help they need when they need it.

Prevention Services - Cortland Prevention Resources (CPR), a division of Family Counseling Services, offers prevention education and services to all members of the community, including youth, adults, families, professionals, and educators. People who benefit from the resources at CPR range from those struggling with harmful behavior to those simply looking for information or a safe place to relax. Whether someone is just dabbling in harmful behavior, has already fully engaged in that behavior, or is in recovery, CPR can help. Staff is available and accessible, no appointment needed. The services offered at CPR address more than just substance abuse or harmful behaviors. CPR programs cover everything from mentoring to emotions management, from parenting skills to homework help for youth. A main focus at CPR is increasing community awareness through programming on topics such as mental health, alcohol service, prescription drug abuse awareness, problem gambling awareness, ethics, and environmental strategies. Participating in prevention services is a positive way to grow healthier as an individual and as a community.

Fees and Payment

Family Counseling Services is committed to serving all clients regardless of ability to pay. We accept most third party insurances including Medicaid, Medicare & Child Health Plus (CHIP) and offer discounted fees to those who qualify based on income and family size.

This is a non profit agency.

Services Offered To:
Adults
Couples
Teens
Children

Payment:
Sliding Scale
Medicare
Medicaid