Direct Clinical Services

Direct Clinical Services are comprised of six distinct mental health service areas:

Direct Clinical Services coupled with mental health consultation and community education activities are core Child Guidance Center services.


Outpatient Therapy

Outpatient therapy is a clinical mental health service that may be a prevention or early intervention service, depending on the child and family’s circumstances and perspective. It is one of the least intrusive mental health interventions. Outpatient therapy is typically sought by families who believe their child is in need of mental health treatment or have been unable to successfully problem-solve on their own. Child Guidance Center uses a variety of individual, family and group psychotherapy methods. Consultation with the child psychiatrist, nurse practitioner and medication management is provided when medication is employed as a part of the overall treatment service.

Frequency of sessions is determined by the needs of the child and family. Therapy is designed to help the child and family solve the problems that motivated them to seek services by making the changes necessary to improve their daily functioning. Interventions focus on assets and enhance protective factors to mitigate risk.


Evaluation, Assessment and Psychological Testing

Evaluation and assessment services are sought by parents who need information and direction from a child mental health clinician. These parents: 1) have an emerging concern about their child or are beginning to experience difficulty and seek an early solution to prevent more serious problems; 2) are distressed and need direction to the most appropriate treatment service; or 3) experience major or critical problems and are in need of an immediate intervention. Evaluation and assessment services are time-limited and aimed at getting the family the guidance it needs to secure the most appropriate treatment service. This may include psychological evaluations or other types of formal assessment. Other consumers of evaluation and assessment services include the Juvenile Court, Family Court, or Department of Human Services. These entities seek information to support Court action initiated in the best interests of the child or to resolve disputes of visitation or custody.


Psychiatric Services

Psychiatric services include psychiatric evaluation, therapy and evaluation for medication prescription and medication management. Referral for psychiatric services is facilitated by the Child Guidance Center therapist assigned to each child and his/her family.

The Child Guidance Center believes people are capable of change and that the process of psychotherapy can provide the best opportunity for positive change. A variety of therapeutic techniques may be used. Psychiatric evaluation, medication prescription and management may be used to support or advance treatment, but not as a substitute for therapy. It is Child Guidance Center practice to provide medication management with therapy. Exceptions may be made under certain circumstances as determined the judgment of the psychiatrist and/or nurse practitioner, therapist and family.


Functional Family Therapy

Functional Family Therapy is an evidence-based family intervention program for youth ages 11–18 and their families. All referrals come directly from the 5th Judicial District Juvenile Court Services and target youth who are involved in Juvenile Court action due to delinquency and at-risk behaviors. Treatment is provided in the home and services range from eight to 30 sessions, depending on the family’s needs.


Early Childhood Services

Early childhood services provide therapeutic support to children and families during challenging developmental phases and life transitions. For children experiencing social, emotional and behavioral problems, therapy may be beneficial especially if the problems continue for more than six weeks, escalate or interfere with family life, education, child care or friendships. Early childhood services focus on improving transitions and targets a wide range of needs including: challenging behaviors, developmental delays, and social difficulties, reactions to trauma, parent-child conflicts or attachment problems.


Central Iowa System of Care

The Central Iowa System of Care is a team approach that assures better care for children and youth with serious emotional and behavioral challenges.