Youth & Family Counseling

Growing up is complicated, and there are times in many children’s lives when professional help dealing with issues, emotions, and behaviors can improve well-being. Our supports for youth and families are designed first to help stabilize and then to foster coping skills that will help them strengthen and grow.

Advocates counselors and specialists work in partnership with children and their families to determine treatment plans tailored to their needs.  Our staff bring skill and compassion to families dealing with a wide range of needs including:

• Anxiety and depression
• ADD and ADHD
• Challenging behaviors
• Communication issues
• Divorce
• Illness, trauma, and loss
• Relationships
• Social skills
   

Clinical Services

Individual and Family Counseling

We offer traditional talk therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and other skill-based approaches tailored to support youth of all ages and their families, while prioritizing individual needs and preferences.

Medication Management

Once enrolled in counseling services with an Advocates therapist, our clinical nurse specialists and psychiatrists may provide evaluations and ongoing pharmacological treatment. We believe medication works best in conjunction with therapy. Therefore, it is only an option for individuals who also meet regularly with a therapist.

Mobile Crisis Intervention

Mobile Crisis Intervention is available 24/7 when a young person poses a safety risk, either to themselves or others, due to suicidal or homicidal behaviors, self-injury, an inability to sustain healthy relationships, or other difficult behaviors. Learn More

Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI)

Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative programs support youth who are dealing with mental health, emotional, and behavioral challenges. These services are covered by MassHealth for youth up to age 21, and by many commercial insurance plans up to age 18. Please contact us if you have questions about whether your insurance plan covers these services.

In-Home Therapy

In-Home Therapy helps children and youth with significant mental health needs function successfully, while helping their families best manage and support their children’s needs at home and in the community.

In-Home Behavioral Services

In-Home Behavioral Services are for children, youth, and their families who need help learning to change and manage difficult or harmful behaviors. Our staff assist youth and parents in creating a behavior management plan that will work for them.

Therapeutic Mentoring 

If your child or teen has difficulty getting along with peers and adults, an Advocates therapeutic mentor can provide support and coaching. The Therapeutic Mentor will work in the home, school, community, and other social settings to teach your child skills that foster successful social interactions and relationships. To be eligible for Therapeutic Mentoring, a child must also receive Outpatient Therapy, In-Home Therapy, or Intensive Care Coordination. 

Locations and Settings

Counseling and crisis intervention services are provided at our clinic locations in Framingham, Marlborough, and Waltham and, in some instances, in schools and homes.
 

Eligibility

We accept MassHealth and most private insurance plans. To find out if we are in your network, please contact your insurance company or our office.

Advocates Community Counseling, Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) Services, and Medication Management/Psychiatry Services are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).