Children have seemingly magical ability to overcome exposure to adversity if they and their families are given guidance and tools to build resilience and aid in recovery. At East Bay Agency for Children, we work every day so children impacted by trauma can ultimately reach their full potential.
Intensive Counseling Enriched classrooms are dual educational and therapeutic classrooms that enable children to learn techniques for self-regulating their emotions and behavior while receiving academic instruction. An EBAC behavioral health therapist works with each child to achieve goals based upon his or her individualized treatment plan. Behavioral coaches shadow the children all day long in the classroom providing real-time intervention and affirmation to support positive behavioral changes and self-regulation.
Circle of Care
Called "Circle of Care", the program offers simultaneous peer support groups for all family members, with parents/caregivers attending one group and toddlers, elementary school children and teenagers attending their own separate groups. Themed art and play activities are integrated into groups for younger children, while the adults often share practical strategies as well as their feelings. Groups are led by EBAC-trained volunteer facilitators, who contribute more than 3,000 hours of compassionate service every year.
Fees and Payment
Services are offered at modest cost, on a sliding scale based on financial means, although no one is turned away due to lack of funds.
Services Offered To: Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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.
