CHAC exists to provide alternatives to self-destructive behavior and to help create healthy lives for the children and families of Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, and surrounding communities. We strive to help create a happier, healthier community. We help families build stronger foundations through building stronger relationships and communication. We help teachers teach by creating better classroom environments for all students. We help parents parent more effectively by empowering them with support, skills, and tools to use. We help youth and adolescents stay on track -- at school, at home, and in their social lives. We are inclusive, and do not believe anyone should be denied services -- even if they can't afford it.
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Services Offered
In House Counseling CHAC provides multi-lingual, multi-cultural counseling for children, teens, adults, couples and families at our clinic in Mountain View. Counseling is provided on a sliding scale of payment.
Family Resource Center CHAC's Family Resource Center (FRC) collaborates with FIRST 5 Santa Clara County and other community partners to offer programs that help parents and other caregivers understand the importance of physical and social-emotional development during the first years of life and early school years, along with the family and community engagement needed to build strong communities. FRC classes, events and individual consultations foster ways of building and maintaining a healthy connection between parent and child and increasing resilience in the family. Family Resource Center staff also trains a dedicated group of volunteers - many who have started as participants - who continue to carry out our vision to encourage further community involvement.
Well Within Well Within is an outpatient chemical dependency and other compulsive tendencies prevention program for teens and young adults affected by substance misuse/abuse, and for their families. Well Within defines health through a bio-psycho-social lens and uses the therapeutic modalities of mindfulness-based psychotherapy, family systems therapy as well as relapse prevention.
LGBTQQi CHAC provides support and counseling services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning/interested adolescents and teens.
Assessment Clinic CHAC's Assessment Clinic provides affordably priced and comprehensive psychological assessments using best practice assessment models and evidence-based testing measures. After completing testing with one of CHAC's assessment clinicians, clients will be provided with extensive and specialized feedback. All of CHAC's assessments are completed by graduate students in Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs.
Fees and Payment
Fees for assessments are on a sliding scale basis in an effort to make services accessible to all members of the community.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono Medicare Medicaid
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Qualifying for assistance from California's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to California's program.
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.