Who We Are
In June 2017, Northwestern Settlement partnered with Children’s Home + Aid to provide free, bilingual on-site mental health counseling and family wellness services to members of the Settlement community.
All staff at The Family CARES Center are Qualified Mental Health Practitioners. Individual therapists may possess an MA, MSW, LPC, LSW, LCPC, or LCSW. All therapists receive professional development and continuing education throughout the year including but not limited to Parent Child Interaction Therapy, Domestic Violence training, Trauma Informed care training, and Cultural Sensitivity training.
What We Offer
The Family CARES Center meets a variety of behavioral and emotional needs through a comprehensive approach to services. We primarily serve children between the ages of 2 and 14 years old who are already enrolled in any of Northwestern Settlement’s programs. Parents with Medicaid or Managed Care Medicaid whose children are receiving services with our program are also eligible for our services.
Our services are vailable in English and Spanish. Program staff members are sensitive to all sexual orientations, gender identities, and cultural values. Our services include:
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which a group of patients meet to describe and discuss their problems together under the supervision of a therapist.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is a joint process between a therapist and a person in therapy. Common goals of therapy can be to inspire change or improve quality of life. People may seek therapy for help with issues that are hard to face alone. Individual therapy is also called therapy, psychotherapy, psychosocial therapy, talk therapy, and counseling.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy that seeks to reduce distress and conflict by improving the systems of interactions between family members.
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
PCIT is an evidence-based treatment for young children between the ages 2 and 6 years old with behavioral problems. PCIT is conducted through “coaching” sessions during which you and your child are in a playroom while the therapist is in an observation room watching you interact with your child through a one-way mirror and/or live video feed. You wear a “bug-in-the-ear” device through which the therapist provides in-the-moment coaching on skills you are learning to manage your child’s behavior.
If you are in crisis, you may want to call a crisis line if you need to speak to a mental health professional immediately. Below, please see a list of resources available in the community and their contact information.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
24/7 free and confidential support and crisis resources
Crisis Textline: text CONNECT to 741741
24/7 text message support for those in crisis
National Runaway Switchboard: 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929)
24/7 crisis support and resources for runaway and homeless youth
Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873)
24/7 Illinois DCFS hotline to report child abuse or neglect
Between Friends: 1-800-603-HELP (1-800-603-4357)
24/7 domestic violence crisis line
Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline: 1-888-293-2080
24/7 Chicago rape hotline for survivors of sexual violence and their significant others.
Not in crisis, but need someone to talk to?
Illinois Warm Line: (866) 359-7953
Peer and family mental health support by phone, weekdays M - F 9 am – 5 pm
If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.