Adolescent Counseling Services to resume in-person services after more than a year
ACS is committed to provide in-person and virtual services to fit the needs of youth in the community
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS), a community-based mental health agency, is opening its doors to the public for in-person therapy sessions on July 12th, 2021, at its new location at 643 Bair Island Road, Suite 402 in Redwood City. For over a year through the pandemic, ACS has been administering all of their services online, including teletherapy, virtual support groups, and educational workshops.
The impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of teenagers all over the country has been substantial, and ACS has seen a staggering increase in the number of youth needing mental health support. In ACS’ past fiscal year, they saw an 80.3% increase of clients served – a total of 12,697 individuals. A local high school served by ACS also reported four times as many hospitalizations for mental health reasons during the past year. The increase in the number of youth seen by ACS clinicians is consistent with national data regarding the need for mental health services for youth.
Dr. Sarah Burdge, ACS’ Clinical Director, gives more perspective: “The most common struggles that ACS clients’ present with are symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. The sources of these symptoms are sometimes academic stressors, the shelter-in-place order, family stressors, or a response to the cultural chaos of the moment.”
ACS plans to continue to offer hybrid services to better accommodate the needs of local clients and families. As Dr. Sarah Burdge describes: “My vision for the next year is to provide in-person services in all of ACS’ programs, but also continue to provide virtual services for youth who have access to the technology and who can make therapeutic progress using these means. We also may be able to expand our geographic reach based on our new ability to use virtual means.”
To learn more about ACS, please visit www.acs-teens.org. To reach an intake coordinator to schedule an appointment, please contact info@acs-teens.org, or call 650.424.0852 ext. 108.
Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) exists to support the wellbeing of all teens, tweens, and young adults in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Established in 1975, ACS’ networks of skilled family therapists and professionally-led support groups have continuously been a resource that youth and families can rely on. Trained professionals facilitate on-campus and after-school counseling, substance abuse treatment, LGBTQQ+ support services, and community education programs. ACS supports youth to overcome obstacles, develop confidence and be empowered to build happy, healthy futures.
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