Adult, Child & Family Therapy

When one of our staff experts first meets an individual, child or family seeking our assistance, we listen with compassion. JCFS Community Counseling staff members believe that without an accepting and supportive environment, an individual, child or family cannot focus on his or her feelings and personal growth. Each clinician, either a master’s level social worker or a doctorate level psychologist, helps the client identify coping strategies to navigate through current problems or child and/or adulthood trauma. Whether short or long-term assistance is desired, our clinicians are trained to meet the specific needs of children, adults and families that seek assistance managing multiple and/or complex needs.

Each individual, child or family we assist benefits from the interdisciplinary expertise of JCFS clinicians’ and their knowledge of and access to our comprehensive range of therapeutic, educational and preventive programs. Collaborating closely with community resources including schools, agencies, and physicians, our clinical staff offers expertise to children, adults and families at eight metropolitan Chicago locations.

Most people contact us with concerns about personal adjustment, relationship or marriage issues; coping with family stressors (divorce, death, remarriage, relocation, disabilities and/or loss of employment); psychiatric conditions, illness and loss, aging; financial concerns and issues connected to the Holocaust. Parents are typically concerned about parent-child relationship issues; adjustment to family stressors (divorce, death, remarriage or relocation); their child’s/adolescents’ peer and social difficulties, medical condition or experience with any type of abuse; psychiatric conditions or disabilities; children and/or parents with medical conditions or other behaviors that are out of parental control.

Our Counseling Centers are highly regarded by a wide range of professionals and organizations. We receive referrals from past and present clients, schools, day care centers, rabbis, agencies, hospitals, pediatricians, law enforcement professionals, private practitioners and the Department of Child and Family Services.

Receiving counseling services is dependent upon the completion of an initial assessment by a JCFS clinician, which determines the severity of the problem that the client wishes to address. Together with family members, the clinician explores the biological, psychological, social, developmental and environmental factors impacting the situation. The therapeutic goals and the nature of therapy are mutually established between the family and the clinician. Clients that require intensive inpatient work and children that require out-of-home care are not generally accepted for JCFS Community Counseling Center services are referred to other providers.

JCFS accepts insurance for payment of fees and offers a financial assistance program for self-pay clients. We also have mental health contracts with private foster care agencies, the Department of Children and Family Services and several managed care companies.

WE PROVIDE

Assessment

Each child, adult and/or family seen in a Community Counseling Center receives a comprehensive assessment to establish mutually acceptable goals and discuss the particular concerns and situations the client(s) wishes to address.

Individual, Couple, and Family Counseling

Counseling is available to individuals of all ages. Whatever issues may need to be addressed, the clinician provides all clients with a comprehensive and integrated plan to address individual needs and encourage family life. For families, family counseling can improve communication, reduce conflict and increase positive interaction between all family members. With very young children, the play therapy model is used and children can express their emotions through play.

Group Counseling and Therapy

A wide range of on-going psychotherapy groups are available to individuals who are interested in exploring and working on their interpersonal and relationship issues. Life Education Network groups include but are not limited to social skill enhancement, conflict resolution, anger management, parenting skills, personal growth and marriage workshops.

Case Management and Case Coordination

Whether in-home assistance or emergency loans are needed, the clinicians often assists and advocates for clients to secure the vital benefits and services the client requires.

Consultation

If the clinician believes the client could benefit from additional services within or outside of JCFS, linkages to proper resources are coordinated.

Information and Referral

When available community resources seem overwhelming. JCFS clinicians are here to refer intake callers and clients to appropriate, available community resources.

Crisis Intervention

Sometimes families, communities, and institutions experience a crisis. Clinicians offer support and teach coping skills to adults, children, families, organizations and institutions that have been affected by a crisis.

Divorce Mediation

Co-parenting following divorce can be very challenging. Divorce Mediation provides couples with an opportunity to peacefully resolve their disputes related to custody, parenting time, and division of assets. A mediated divorce greatly increases the possibility of a post-divorce collaborative co-parenting relationship. The mediation service is provided by an LCSW with advance training in mediation and expertise in child development.