Counseling & Mental Health Services

Sherry is a divorced mother raising her three children ages 9, 13 and 16 alone. She came to JFS for family counseling. Her oldest daughter is acting out in school, getting poor grades and staying out late. The middle child is very anxious and demands a lot of her time. The youngest, a boy, often has temper tantrums. Counseling has focused on teaching Sherry better parenting skills and having the children interact in more positive ways. All three children have been enrolled in our mentoring program and each have their own “grandparent/mentor” to spend time with. The family has been offered additional help in the community through participation in youth groups and summer camp at local synagogues. This will provide Sherry with much needed respite this summer.

JFS offers counseling to individuals and families (including children), support groups, workshops, psychiatric assessment and medication management, psychological testing, mentoring programs and a free drop-in center for adults living with persistent mental illness and/or developmental disabilities.

Both children and adults have access to individual, group and family therapy, where they will receive help overcoming personal challenges.

Psychiatric evaluations and medication management are available for children, adolescents and adults. Clients have access to cost effective, quality psychiatric services with minimal wait time for appointments. In 2020, JFS expanded its psychiatry services to include child and adolescent psychiatry through our partnership with Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. The partnership through the college’s Residency Program innovates our existing level of quality care.

Psychological testing is comprised of a series of evaluations designed to gather information on an individual’s cognitive, academic, behavioral and emotional strengths and weaknesses. Evaluations can assess for: Gifted/IQ, ADHD, extended time for testing and other learning disabilities.

The Welcome Home Program is a day drop-in center in Delray Beach for adults with persistent psychiatric illness. The Program is facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker. Programming includes coping, nutrition, social and other life skills, and activities including crafts, games, parties, and field trips (when possible).

Our counseling department has a LGBTQ Specialist on staff to assist the LGBTQ Community and their families by providing:
   - Gender Affirming Mental Health Care
   - Group Counseling and Community Support Groups
   (LGBTQ Teen Support Groups is a joint program with Faulk Center for Counseling)
   - LGBTQ+ Resources and Referral Service
   - Participation in LGBTQ+ Community Events
   - On-going LGBTQ+ staff training

All new counseling clients will be asked to fill out JFS' Initial Assessment Forms prior to meeting with a therapist. Please download and print the JFS blank forms (PDF), and then write in all your information on the forms to bring with you to your first appointment.

A Grant for JFS Counseling & Mental Health Services has been provided by: