North County Lifeline's mission is to build self-reliance among youth, individuals and families through problem solving, skill-building and accessible community-based services.
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Services Offered
Behavioral Health - To have the greatest opportunity in life, mental health and substance abuse challenges among children must be identified early. Intervention and treatment can strengthen coping skills, support parents and target success in school. Lifeline's Behavioral Health staff-in schools, in homes and in the community-assist youth ages 3 to 21 years old who are diagnosed with anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse and addiction and autism. Nearly 500 children, youth and families received individual and group mental health services, including victims of human trafficking. As a result, 92% of youth clients improved school attendance.
Youth & Family Counseling - Provides youth individual, group and family counseling to help clients reach their fullest potential. No individual adult counseling services are provided.
Educationally Related Mental Health Services - North County Lifeline ERMHS provides access to support and mental health services to encourage school success for preschool through age 21 or completion of high school education. ERMHS services include individual, group, and/or family therapy. ERMHS is a family wraparound approach to complement and individualize treatment, providing resources, referrals and parenting skills training. ERMHS is regulated by state education guidelines and contracted by the school district. North County Lifeline ERMHS currently partners with Vista, Bonsall, Fallbrook, and Carlsbad school districts.
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment - EPSDT of youth (preschool age to 17 years) meeting medical necessity requirements is a Medi-Cal funded program. Treatment may include individual, group, and/or family therapy and psychiatric evaluation. MHSA (Mental Health Services Act): Services may also apply to children and youth who are uninsured or underinsured that meet SED (seriously emotionally disturbed) criteria and are legal residents living in North San Diego County. MHSA clients are billed for services according to their income and ability to pay.
Teen Groups - Groups for teens regarding conflict management, decision making, chemical dependency, anger management, gang diversion, parenting skills, and diversity awareness.
Teen Substance Abuse Treatment - A substance abuse and trauma focused intervention and prevention group for adolescents ages 12 to 17, utilizing the evidenced-based curriculum Seeking Safety.
HERE Now Suicide Prevention Program - HERE Now program goals are 1) To prevent suicide by educating youth and their families on the risk factors of suicide, 2) To reduce the stigma around seeking help for themselves or others; and 3) support at-risk youth though individual assessments and connections with mental health services.
Project LIFE - An advocacy program that works with people of all ages who have been or are currently victims or survivors of Sex and Labor Trafficking identified by local law enforcement, self-identify, or the community. Project LIFE offers trauma informed services that include victim advocacy, crisis management, safety planning, intensive case management and therapy to survivors throughout San Diego County. Trafficking victims can be male and female, youth and adults, citizens and non-citizens regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. . Project LIFE exists to stand by victims of trafficking and prevent future abuse.
Fees and Payment
This is a non profit agency.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: LGBTQ
Payment: Sliding Scale 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.
