The SWYFS counseling center works with youth and families through individual counseling, group, and family therapy. It is a hub for behavioral health and youth violence prevention services in South King County. With the growing understanding that behavioral health services are as important to overall health care as physical health services, along with the recognition of the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), SWYFS integrates behavioral health services in their work with at-risk children, youth and families. We believe that people's inherent strengths are the most important resource in their own lives, in their lives together; and in the lives of their own communities, and that through their own voices they bring essential resources to their work with us.
Services Offered
Behavioral Health - Counselors utilize a trauma-informed lens and approaches that include art and drama therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, behavior modification and Aggression Replacement Training (ART), and violence prevention programs. In addition to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, our approaches are rooted in family systems therapy, narrative therapy, person-centered or Talk Therapy. Equity and social justice are part of the fabric of all our Behavioral Health approaches.
Individual, Group and Family Therapy - SWYFS matches youth and families with one of our qualified and dedicated counselors who can best meet their unique needs while also addressing culture, language, gender, and other factors that may affect their counseling experience. We provide culturally sensitive counseling in English and Spanish, individual and group therapies, art and drama therapy and individualized care based on client needs. The Counseling Center's services range from brief, highly focused counseling to longer-term services, depending on the need of the youth or family. Counseling can be provided at our offices, in the client's home, schools, or other community settings. Our goal is to make counseling as accessible as possible. The Counseling Center, along with the other departments operate in unison and provide families with a holistic approach with access to all the services we offer.
Aggression Replacement Training (ART) - is a research-based program that focuses on helping adolescents cope with aggressive behaviors through social skills training, anger control training, and moral reasoning. ART is offered throughout the year in ten-week sessions, with three meetings per week.
Southwest Youth and Family Services' youth violence prevention programs - are multi-agency efforts to reduce and prevent youth violence in Seattle and South King County. As a partner agency, Southwest Youth and Family Services offers case managers to help youth stay safe, stay in school, and get connected to the resources they need.
Fees and Payment
We are a nonprofit agency.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
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.
