Children First Counseling Center

For 45 years, Children First Counseling Center has provided hope and healing to survivors of abuse, neglect, or trauma, without regard to ability to pay.  Our center is one of only a handful of agencies in North Texas to provide play therapy to children from low-income households.  Early intervention is key to preventing child victims from becoming abusive teens or adults. 

Children First also serves as a community mental health resource.  We offer exceptional therapeutic services and education, through a diverse staff of professionals who are equipped to assist children, adolescents, and adults.  Our skilled therapists and counselors provide the highest quality care to individuals experiencing:

Anxiety, Depression, Behavior Issues, Stress, Domestic Violence, Trauma & PTSD, Couples & Family Conflict

Clients are served through our General Counseling Program, and through multiple psycho-education groups that enrich the individual and family.  We also ensure bi-lingual counselors are readily available, to help reduce language barriers for the large population of Spanish-speaking clients we assist.

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In October 2021, 3 leading groups in child and adolescent mental health (which represent more than 77,000 physicians and 200 children's hospitals) declared a mental health crisis among our nation’s youth as a national emergency.

Before COVID-19, concerns over childhood mental health & suicide had been rising steadily-- for at least a decade.  By 2018, suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death for youths ages 10-24 years.  In 2020, the percentage of emergency dept visits for mental health emergencies rose by 24% for children between the ages of 5 and 11 and 31% for those 12 to 17, when compared to 2019.  The pandemic also intensified challenges and disruptions that have disproportionately affected children and families of color. 

There are overwhelming amounts of new stories over school or mass shootings, and teenagers who’ve lost their grip on reality because they just don’t know how to cope.  We can’t afford to let our children and teens remain feeling isolated and left to deal with issues they’re ill equipped to handle.

Our Needs

Funds are needed to expand our capacity to serve additional children and families in need of emotional recovery and life-changing services. Hiring additional highly qualified staff to meet the growing amount of referrals we receive is and will always remain a priority.

Your help in funding the best possible care, to hundreds referred for services this year, is greatly appreciated.

Volunteers are also sought to serve on various committees including those related to special events and fundraising initiatives.