Child & Youth Counseling Services
Counseling (also referred to as therapy or psychotherapy) helps individuals address their emotional, mental and physical concerns. It typically starts with an assessment to determine the needed level and type of care.
Youth counseling services are found in many settings, including community mental health organizations, clinics, individual practices, schools, primary care offices, and faith-based organizations. Some locations have psychiatrics on site or on-call, while others can refer to psychiatric care as needed. At times, counseling services are required as part of a treatment plan. You can also contact your child’s school to ask about family support services that may be offered through your child’s school district. For a full description of what counseling is and what type of professionals provide counseling, see Adult Treatment – Counseling.
Child & Youth – SPECIAL PROGRAMS are programs designed for children and youth and provide a wide range of services and intensive early intervention. They include Children’s Health Home, Children’s Single Point of Entry (SPOA), and First Episode Psychosis (FEP). FEP is especially effective for young people with early symptoms of psychosis.
Counseling for co-occurring disorders (also referred to as “dual diagnosis” or “MICA”) specifically addressing both mental illness and addiction at the same time. See Co-Occurring Disorders under Substance Use Disorder – CO-OCCURRING.
Counseling Resources
Baker Victory Services – Outpatient Clinic
716-828-9651
650 Ridge Rd
Lackawanna, NY 14218
www.bakervictoryservices.org
Fees: May be covered by Medicaid or private insurance; sliding scale fees for direct pay patients.
Service Details
Outpatient counseling for ages 5-19 years old, including individual, group, and family therapy, and evaluation. Referrals from any source. Generally, no waiting list.
BestSelf Behavioral Health, Inc.
716-884-0888
255 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14202
www.bestselfwny.org
Fees: Sliding scale available.
Service Details
Fully integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services for children and adults including mental health, substance use disorder, health assessment & monitoring, psychiatric rehabilitation, targeted case management, peer services. On-Track Adolescent Program, DBT, PROS, ACT, Reentry, integrated co-occurring disorder, MAT, school-based programs, Child Advocacy Center. Mobile Mental Health Services provides counseling in the community and in-home for Medicaid recipients who have significant barriers to receiving outpatient treatment. Bilingual Counselors available at some locations in Buffalo.
Service Area: WNY
BryLin Outpatient Mental Health Clinic
716-632-5450
531 Farber Lakes Dr., Ste. 201
Williamsville, NY 14221
www.brylin.com
Fees: Sliding scale available
Outpatient mental health care for children, adolescents and adults.
Service Details
Designed to help children, adolescents and adults, 5 years of age and older, who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and a host of other mental health concerns. Our focus is on overall wellness with counseling centered on: symptom reduction and management, skill building, coping skills development, and support.
Service Area: WNY
Catholic Charities
716 895-1033 or 1-877-448-4466
741 Delaware Ave
Buffalo, NY 14209
www.ccwny.org
Fees: Sliding scale available
Service Details
Counseling and substance abuse services, multiple social services. –Mental health assessment and evaluation, individual family, and group counseling, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, behavior management, school- based services and parenting skills. Specialized services for children ages 3-21 for those suffering effects physical and/ or sexual abuse.
Non-denominational.
Center for Children and Families/University at Buffalo
716 829-2244 ext 15 or 16
Department of Psychology
106 Diefendorf Hall
3435 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14214
www.ccf.buffalo.edu
Fees: Vary by program. Generally, not covered by insurance or Medicaid.
Service Details
Emergency shelter/housing for adults with developmental disabilities; and persons with developmental disabilities who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, respite, group and apartment-style residences. Will accept individuals with a secondary mental health diagnosis.
Children’s Psychiatric Clinic/Oishei Children’s Hospital
716-859-5454
1028 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14202
www.kaleidahealth.org/
Fees: Insurance, Medicaid managed care
Service Details
Full range of outpatient mental health services for children and adolescents, age birth-21 years old including assessment, therapy, psychiatric consultation and medication management. Usually a waiting list. Does not see children for psychiatric services/medication only: children and families are expected to participate in therapy as well. Specialty clinics include eating disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourette Syndrome, preschool youth and mental health/ development disabled, medically compromised children.
Child & Family Services
716-842-2750
330 Delaware Ave
Buffalo, NY 14202
www.cfsbny.org
Service Details
Intensive in-home services. In addition to SPOA services, program can include tutoring, skill building, pre-vocational skills and respite. Provides intensive in-home/community-based services to children and adolescents between ages 5-18 years old with a psychiatric diagnosis, who are at risk for psychiatric hospitalization or placement in a residential treatment facility. In-home counseling to prevent out-placement (Preventive Screening Counseling). ICM, HCBW.
Compass House
716-884-3066
1451 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14209
https//www.compasshouse.org
Fees: Free
Service Details
Provides non-residential support services for youth ages 14-24, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Offers case management assistance for secure housing, financial resources, employment, and educational services. Also provides basic skills training; health and mental health services; advocacy; individual, group, and family counseling; and both individual and group independent living instruction.
Service Area: Erie County
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC)
Adult, Child and Family Clinic
716-898-3255
462 Grider St
Buffalo, NY 14215
www.ecmc.edu
Fees: All insurances; sliding fees based on ability to pay
Service Details
Includes assessment and psychotherapy. Must be 16 years or older.
Service Area: WNY
Family Assistance Center of Tonawanda
716-695-5578
150 Hinds St.
Middle School/High School Complex, Rm. 153
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Fees: Free consultation. Fees for counseling services vary by partnering service providers
Service Details
Assessment, linkage and referral to community services, parenting education, prevention programs. Advocacy with other agencies (e.g. schools, police and courts, ECDSS). On-site counseling for individuals, families, couples, groups.
Service Area: Tonawanda residents
Gateway-Longview, Inc.
716-783-3100
10 Symphony Circle
Buffalo NY 14201
www.gateway-longview.org/
Service Details
Behavioral health clinic, preventative services, residential, therapeutic pre-school, respite, HCBS, Residential treatment for children age 9-18. Special education for the emotionally disturbed. Must be referred by Family Court, Department of Social Services, Division for Youth, or School District Committee on Special Education.
Harmonia Collaborative Care (formerly Community Concern of WNY)
716-947-5025
6722 Erie Road
Derby, NY 14047
www.harmonia-care.org
Fees: Private pay, Medicaid, Medicare, or health insurance.
Service Details
Age 13 and up. Provides outpatient mental health services including individual, marital, family, parent, and group therapy; depression and anxiety counseling; psychiatric assessment and treatment; medication management and provision; crisis intervention and case management; specialized programs in stress management; domestic violence intervention for victims and perpetrators; and trauma recovery.
Service Area: WNY
Horizon Health Services, Inc.
716-831-1800
55 Dodge Road
Getzville, NY 14068
www.horizon-health.org
Fees: Sliding scale available
Service Details
Treatment and support for individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders and mental health issues. Outpatient & residential treatment, detoxification services, military/first responder residential treatment, crisis stabilization, therapy dog program.
Service Area: WNY
Jericho Road Community Health Center – Barton Street Clinic
716-881-6191
184 Barton Street
Buffalo, NY 14213
www.jrchc.org
Fees: Sliding scale available
Service Details
Community Health Center providing behavioral health services. Open to all. Specializes in refugees, immigrants, and low-income communities. Multiple languages.
Service Area: Erie County residents only
Jewish Family Service
Children’s Mental Health
716-883-1914
70 Barker St.
Buffalo, NY 14209
www.jfsbuffalo.org
Service Details
Assessment, diagnosis, and individual therapy for children over age 5. Specialties include eating disorders, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, behavioral and school issues, and other mental health needs.
Monsignor Carr Institute/Catholic Charities
716 895-1033 or 1-877-448-4466
76 West Humboldt Pkwy
Buffalo, NY 14214
www.ccwny.org/services/monsignor-carr-clinics
Service Details
Comprehensive psychiatric and social work services. Individual, family and group counseling, medication management, in-home treatment. Multiple clinics are located across WNY.
Service Area: WNY
New Directions Youth & Family Services
716 839-1392 x 200
Snyder Square North
4511 Harlem Rd., Ste. 10
Amherst, NY 14226
www.fosteringgood.org
Service Details
Provides case management/crisis intervention/home-based services to youth and families Services include Erie County Wraparound, Wraparound Vendor Services, Early Intervention, Intensive Case Management, School-based Programming, Children’s Mobile Crisis Response Team, as well as Community and Out-of-Home Respite. Referral through Erie County SPOA. In Niagara County: Home-based Crisis Intervention and Intensive Case Management (ICM)
Service Area: Erie County & Niagara County
Spectrum Health and Human Services
716-539-5500
227 Thorn Ave.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
www.shswny.org
Fees: Sliding scale available.
Service Details
Community-based services, mental health and substance use disorder and co-occurring counseling, home health care coordination, housing assistance, mental health clinics, and counseling services, PROS, ACT, co-occurring disorders, re-entry, LGBTQ and more. Serves adults, children and adolescents.
Service Area: WNY
WNY Children’s Psychiatric Center
Buffalo Outpatient Clinic
716-832-0720
575 Alberta Dr., Ste. 2
Amherst, NY 14226
www.e1b.org/en/k-12-education-programs/wnycpc-day-treatment
Service Details
Primary focus on juvenile justice population. Provides mental health services to children 5-18 years old including individual and family therapy and medication management.
Endeavor Health Services
716-895-6700
1526 Walden Ave, Ste. 400
Cheektowaga,NY
https://www.ehsny.org/
Fees: Sliding scale available
Service Details
Certified Community Behavioral Health Center. Counseling, Psychiatry. Individual, group and family therapy. Extensive community intervention, case management, aggressive outreach, school intervention, assessment, medication management, HCBS. Child Intensive Case Management; Home and Community-Based Waiver Services. Children classified as SED (seriously emotionally disturbed) or high risk receive priority.
Service Area: WNY