Bremen Youth Services (BYS) is a not-for-profit community mental health agency which has served youth and their families since 1964. Services are available to individuals ages 5-21 and their families. Although the agency serves Bremen Township residents, we are not bound by township lines and welcome anyone in need of services.
Services Offered
Individual & Family Counseling Individual counseling is offered to youth ages 5-21 and their families. Counseling services address but are not limited to emotional, behavioral, familial, and mental health issues that youth and their families are experiencing. Through a comprehensive mental health assessment, mental health professionals work with clients to develop individualized treatment plans meeting the specific needs of individuals and families.
Substance Abuse Treatment An Adolescent Outpatient Treatment Program is provided for youth ages 11-21. The program is for adolescents who are at-risk for use, experimenting, or using/abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Mental health professionals provide services for intervention, assessment, treatment, referral, and aftercare. Services are also available for youth who have been impacted by familial substance abuse. Group counseling opportunities are provided in collaboration with local school districts for suspension reduction due to drug and alcohol related infractions.
DUI Risk Education Group and Treatment Services Bremen Youth Services offers a risk education group and counseling for clients that require court mandated DUI services. The program is approved by the Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse and facilitated by licensed and certified counselors. The program accommodates Minimal, Moderate, Significant and High Risk clients.
Group Counseling - Balance A holistic approach to discovering inner as well as outer peace in the lives of adolescent girls. The goals of the group focus on overcoming the negative impact of media influences, restoring a positive body image, self esteem enhancement interventions, as well as healthy nutrition and exercise options. This group strives to empower the minds and bodies of young women through education and interactive therapeutic interventions.
- Social Skills Groups For youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders or in need of enhancing social skills. The group assists youth in developing and enhancing proficiency in social situations. Through fun, interactive activities youth are able to practice and expand communication skills. The group provides a fun and safe environment to increase socialization while building friendships. Next group cycle begins October 29. Click here for more info.
- STEP Parenting Group Systematic Training for Effective Parenting provides an eight week curriculum including discussions, multi-media learning, professional guidance, and parent peer support to enhance essential parenting skills.
- Dealing with Divorce This group will educate children and adolescents on ways to cope with their parent's divorce or separation. It will also assist group members in making a healthy adjustment in their life given the family changes. This group will focus on understanding and accepting one's feelings, increasing self-esteem, and building relationships with others experiencing the same situation.
- Coping with Grief This group will educate adolescents on ways to cope with loss. It will focus on understanding the grief cycle, accepting one's feelings, increasing self-esteem, and building relationships with others experiencing similar losses.
Prevention Services Youth prevention education services are provided to local school districts in the community. - Substance Abuse Prevention Program Through an interactive, state-approved curriculum youth learn life skills and receive education in order to reduce their potential to use and abuse alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
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.
