TYFS began serving youth and families as a response to a growing heroin overdose epidemic among youth in South Lake Tahoe in October 1971. It was incorporated as a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)3 on July 28, 1975, under the original name, The Awakening Peace. Staff at The Awakening Peace operated a drug and alcohol diversion program to promote sobriety in the community. Recognizing the need for counseling services, and with the absence of available resources on Lake Tahoe's south shore, The Awakening Peace began offering low and no-cost mental health and substance abuse counseling services to the community. The organization changed its name to Tahoe Youth & Family Services in 1989 after receiving federal grant funds to provide Basic Center Program outreach and support to homeless and runaway youth.
Services Offered
Counseling Services
Mental Health Counseling Licensed therapists provide individual and family counseling, solution-focused therapy, trauma therapy, play therapy, and family reunification services. Substance Abuse Counseling Certified substance abuse counselors provide strength-based services for clients struggling with the disease of addiction. We strive to inspire clients to discover their own path to recovery in both individual and group counseling settings
Adults & Youth Our staff is trained in evidence based strategies to provide prevention, intervention and outpatient services to adults and youth.
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.
