Adolescent Counseling Services empowers youth in our community to find their way through social-emotional support and by building safe, accepting communities. All youth are emotionally healthy, empowered with the tools and knowledge to face life's challenges.
Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) exists to support the wellbeing of all teens, tweens, and young adults in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. ACS' network of skilled family therapists and professionally-led support groups are resources that youth and their families can rely on time and again for help with life's challenges, be they big or small.
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Services Offered
Community Counseling - Established in 2008, the Community Counseling Program offers affordable counseling and psychotherapy during afternoon and evening hours for youth and families in and around the greater Silicon Valley community. Individual, family, and group counseling are provided through this program.
ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT - Since 1991, ACS' Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program (ASAT) has been providing professional assessment and outpatient treatment services specifically designed for youth struggling with substance abuse and/or addiction. ASAT is a State-certified, harm reduction outpatient treatment program for adolescents that addresses the underlying causes of use/abuse, along with encouraging abstinence and healthy lifestyles. Services are provided in English and other languages, based on counselor availability.
ON-CAMPUS COUNSELING - Since its' inception in 1980, the On-Campus Counseling Program provides free counseling to youth and families during school hours at secondary schools in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Support services include one-on-one and group counseling with students and families, and crisis intervention services for emergency situations that may arise on campus.
ACS INSTITUTE OF PSYCHOTHERAPY & TRAINING - Adolescent Counseling Services offers a variety of clinical training opportunities to a full spectrum of mental health trainees, practicum students and interns at our ACS Institute of Psychotherapy & Training. We are a member of the Bay Area Practicum Information collaborative (BAPIC) and are in the process of applying to be a California Psychology Internship Council (CAPIC) site. ACS provides professional training to MFT trainees, Social Work trainees, and Doctoral level practicum students, as well as offering opportunities for post-degree staff positions.
Fees and Payment
Services provided through the Community Counseling Program are offered on a sliding scale, based on the ability to pay. We are also a non profit agency, check our ABOUT us, Linkedin page for more information.
Services Offered To: Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
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?
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.
