"It Takes A Whole Village To Raise A Child."
Mental Health Counseling
The District Heights Family and Youth Services Center acknowledges that the family is the primary educator of a child and provides counseling support to all members of the child's family. Typically, suffering within a family isn't limited to one individual. Some of the most common issues that are seen in counseling include: family conflict, death, divorce, depression, anxiety, exposure to trauma (including abuse/neglect) behavioral problems and anger management.
Generally, sessions at the agency are held weekly. An Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) is written collaboratively, by the family and the therapist by the fourth session and is reviewed every three months.
Techniques and theories such as including Relationship Enhancement, Sandtray, Therapeutic Homework, Stress Reduction, Behavioral Contracts and Role Plays are often used during sessions. Therapies specialties include: Brief Strategic Family Therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Theraplay, and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Individual Counseling
For special cases such as the family receiving therapy elsewhere or if the youth is over 15 and has requested his/her own therapy, clinicians will work with an individual child or adolescent. If it is determined that care should be provided outside of our center, a release must be signed to help coordinate care with another provider. District Heights Family and Youth Services Center does not have a psychiatrist on staff.
Family Counseling
The Center has 3 licensed evidence based Brief Strategic Family Therapist (BSFT). BSFT is a model that engages the whole family to reduce family conflict, and/or behavioral problems. It selected as a model program by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. It is a structured, problem-focused, directive and practical approach to treatement of adolescents and their families.
Group Counseling
Throughout the year, our staff offers various types of group counseling such as adolescent, female/male psychosocial process group, anxiety and anger management, parent support groups, and school based groups. For more information about current group offerings please call us at (301) 336-7600.
Crisis Intervention
Our staff is prepared to respond to a variety of urgent mental health concerns such as complications from natural and/or manmade disasters, child abuse and neglect, runaways, and domestic violence.
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE CRISIS, PLEASE GO TO YOUR NEAREST HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM OR DIAL 911. Other emergency resources include:
Prince George's County Crisis Response (301) 429-1214
National Hopeline Network 1 800 SUICIDE (784-2433)
Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline 1 800 422-0009
Suicide Prevention
As an agency our responsibilities include ensuring the safety of all. Suicide prevention is provided in two forms: clinical and outreach. In our clinical approach, an assessment is made and the client is either immediately referred to the emergency room of a local hospital (i.e. PIW or Prince George's County Hospital) OR a safety plan is developed to ensure the well-being of the patient. Our outreach efforts occur in schools or the community in guest lectures or panel discussions.
Substance Abuse Assessment & Referrals
Our agency staff is trained to assess and recognize when a youth presents with a substance abuse concern. If the case requires specific substance abuse concern, the youth will be referred for either inpatient or outpatient services.
Information and Referrals 
Inquiries about services not provided by the District Heights Family and Youth Services Center are welcomed. Listings of agencies and organizations offering assistance with issues such as case management, housing, and employment are continually updated. Additionally, staff and administration are available to be guest speakers, panelist or conference speakers. Please contact us for more information.
For more information on community resources please click here.