AYCC Services

The Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC) offers a variety of services including: individual and family counseling; group counseling; psychiatric evaluation and medication management.

Individual & Family Counseling

AYCC provides individual and family counseling to Arlington residents whose presenting problems involve children or adolescents ages 3 to 21.  Children learn and develop through a wide range of activities and experiences.  AYCC approaches each child and family in a flexible manner, working with clients to find the mode that works best for them.  This process involves an intake assessment – gathering individual background information, family history, level of current functioning, problem areas and strengths – resulting in a treatment plan.  Common areas of concern that people bring to AYCC are:  anxiety, depression, parent-child conflicts, family changes such as divorce or loss, alcohol or substance abuse, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, major mental illness, school adjustment, social relationships, and behavioral concerns.  Modalities available at AYCC include: talking therapy that is cognitive or insight oriented, play therapy, expressive therapy, sand tray therapy, motivational interviewing, and social skills training.  Emphasis is placed on involvement with both parents and children, based on the idea that neither parent nor child is at fault for problems within the family.  

Groups

AYCC offers a variety of therapeutic groups, both at AYCC and in school settings.  Current AYCC groups are focused on the following areas: stress management; anxiety; social skills; domestic violence and teen dating violence; and grandparents who are raising children.  

Medication

AYCC has a part-time psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner on staff.  Our NP is available for medication consultation, prescription, and ongoing follow-up for family members involved with AYCC services.  Medication need is carefully assessed making sure parents and children are involved in all decisions.   

School-Based Services

AYCC provides school-based mental health counseling to students in all Arlington elementary schools (Project Success), the Ottoson Middle School, and Arlington High School. AYCC also runs therapeutic groups at Ottoson and Arlington High. These services are partially funded via a contract with the Arlington Public Schools, as well as through a multi-year Cummings Foundation grant. School-based counselors are responsible for: