At Choices Counseling & Skills Center we only use practices supported by evidence and research. We use both cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral approaches and measure outcomes towards your goals on a regular basis. Our therapeutic treatments have been effective with: We seek to serve the community by offering high quality programs for mental health and personal growth across the life span. We also offer professional training and support for others in the mental health community. We believe these skills offer many people what they need to function well and thrive in their lives, and others will find that learning and using such skills will prevent suffering that comes from painful experiences in life.
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Services Offered
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - is a type of therapy that focuses on skills acquisition, as well as individual therapy, in order to help you move towards the life you want to lead. DBT treats emotion regulation and focuses on developing or strengthening skills to improve emotional, behavioral and cognitive stability. Sometimes, we behave in ways to reduce or escape emotional discomfort because it's the only way we know how. These behaviors can serve to make things worse even when we're not trying to do so. DBT provides the opportunity to incorporate new skills in order to find freedom and do what works to have a Life Worth Living.
* Emotion Dysregulation & Related Behaviors * Child and Adolescent Behavior and Emotional Problems * Stress, Depression, and Anxiety Management
Adult Program - Our comprehensive Adult DBT Program is designed for those who struggle with regulating their emotions effectively through life's many challenges. Adults can take control of their emotions, thoughts and behaviors and make their lives or relationships tolerable.
* Depression, anxiety and rapid mood changes * High-risk behaviors such as raging and self-harm * Eating disorders and drug and/or alcohol addiction * Isolation, avoidance or procrastination * Ineffective expression of anger * Problems with relationships
Adolescent Program - Our comprehensive DBT for Adolescents program provides skills training in a closed family or multi-family setting along with individual and family therapy. Parents as well as their teens learn the skills, side by side. The focus is to help teenagers and their families better handle the challenging road to adulthood.
* Defiant actions and refusals * Depression, anxiety and agitation * Relationship and communication problems * Mood swings which are slow to return to "normal" * Anger problems * High-risk behaviors, such as aggression, running away, truancy, property destruction, eating disorders, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and actions, along with drug and alcohol abuse.
Pre-Teen Program - Our DBT-Informed program for Preteens provides skills training in a closed family or multi-family setting in addition to individual and family therapy. The focus is to help preteens (usually between the ages of 9-12) and their families better navigate the challenges inherent in family settings in the face of the incredible changes heading into adolescence.
Counseling Services for Individuals, Couples and Families - At Choices Counseling & Skills Center we only use practices supported by evidence and research. We use both cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral approaches and measure outcomes towards your goals on a regular basis.
* Depression and anxiety * Transitions and life changes * Feeling lost, stuck or alone * Resolving past hurts or trauma * Relationship struggles * Grieving a loss * Boredom
Fees and Payment
We are a nonprofit agency.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare 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.