Our services are guided by a philosophy that emphasizes understanding the unique qualities and experience of each child as influenced by the complex interaction of personality, emotional and cognitive development, family situation, and social environment.We view psychotherapy with children as a dynamic, interactive assessment and treatment process that examines problems while building on strengths, and believe our intervention is most effective when parenting figures are actively involved.

We are committed to making our services accessible to all children and families in the community who can safely and productively participate in outpatient mental health treatment, while offering referral and advocacy for those who may require a more restrictive and structured environment.

Since the founding of the Child Guidance Center in 1954, the agency has been committed to serving the outpatient mental health needs of all youngsters with emotional, behavioral, developmental, social and family problems. Over the years new programs have been created in response to emerging community needs. Innovative treatment approaches have been implemented based on the latest developments of effective treatment options in the children’s mental health field. To become more accessible for those with high-risk problems, we expanded services with an emphasis on 24-hour availability and mobile capacity. To make services more comprehensive and effective, we maintain extensive collaborative relationships with other community agencies. The Center provides leadership to four interagency teams bringing together public and private agencies to enhance services for children who have been sexually abused, are seriously emotionally disturbed, and those living in families with complex service needs.