Behavioral & Mental Health
The SWYFS counseling center works with youth and families through individual counseling, group, and family therapy. It is a hub for behavioral health and youth violence prevention services in South King County. With the growing understanding that behavioral health services are as important to overall health care as physical health services, along with the recognition of the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), SWYFS integrates behavioral health services in their work with at-risk children, youth, and families.
Counselors utilize a trauma-informed lens and approaches that include art and drama therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, behavior modification and Aggression Replacement Training (ART), and violence prevention programs. In addition to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, our approaches are rooted in family systems therapy, narrative therapy, person-centered or Talk Therapy. Equity and social justice are part of the fabric of all our Behavioral Health approaches.
Services are provided in English and Spanish to better serve the community. Please email Sarah Odell at sodell@swyfs.org or click the button below to fill out a referral form.
Due to a large number of requests, our current time to connect new clients with a therapist is approximately 2 weeks. One of our team members will reach out to you within one week to begin the process. If you or the person you are referring is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or contact Crisis Connections at +1 866-427-4747.
Our Behavioral Health Programs
Southwest Youth and Family Services provides a wide range of state-licensed counseling services for children, teens, young adults, and their families.
SWYFS matches youth and families with one of our qualified and dedicated counselors who can best meet their unique needs while also addressing culture, language, gender, and other factors that may affect their counseling experience. We provide culturally sensitive counseling in English and Spanish, individual and group therapies, art and drama therapy, and individualized care based on client needs. The Counseling Center’s services range from brief, highly focused counseling to longer-term services, depending on the need of the youth or family. Counseling can be provided at our offices, in the client’s home, schools, or other community settings. Our goal is to make counseling as accessible as possible. The Counseling Center, along with the other departments operate in unison and provide families with a holistic approach with access to all the services we offer.
Aggression Replacement Training (ART) is a research-based program that focuses on helping adolescents cope with aggressive behaviors through social skills training, anger control training, and moral reasoning. ART is offered throughout the year in ten-week sessions, with three meetings per week.
Case Management supports youth ages 16-24 through life transitions, finding and utilizing various resources, and navigating various life challenges. Case managers connect with you on a weekly basis to support progress toward goals, offer resources, and connection with the community. Additionally, case managers and counselors work together throughout the year to offer Aggression Replacement Therapy (ART) courses and Behavioral-Modification (B-Mod.)
If you, or a youth you know are looking for some additional support with a consistent person but aren’t interested in therapy, would like resource support, or are interested in B-Mod or ART groups, please feel free to reach out to the Case Management team at SWYFS. You can contact Case Management supervisor Debra Williams (dwilliams@swyfs.org) Or fill out the Case Management Referral form by clicking on the button below.
BAM is a trauma-informed school-based counseling, mentoring, and character development program for vulnerable young men in grades 7-12.
BAM counselors work full-time within middle and high schools in the Highline District to guide young men in the exploration and development of six core values: Integrity, Accountability, Self-Determination, Positive Anger Expression, Respect for Womanhood, and Visionary Goal-Setting.
Southwest Youth & Family Services is partnering with Youth Guidance in Chicago, the organization that developed BAM, to bring the program to southwest King County.
To ensure sustainability, a BAM Advisory Council has also been implemented. Each council member has a strong desire to be actively involved in solving the issues inner-city youth face and will devote their time, talent, and expertise to the current and future work of the program.