As a family-oriented counseling program, Ryther Child Center's Outpatient Mental Health program provides a wide range of agency, home, school and community-based services for children and youth aged 20 years and younger struggling with social, emotional and behavioral problems.

“We believe that children and families have the capacity for success. We help them to stabilize and improve their individual functioning, as well as their interactions and communications in family and community relationships by:

• Treating the whole family as well as the child by addressing all of a family's life domains
• Recognizing that the family is the expert on their child and using a client- and family-centered, strengths-based approach in establishing measurable, attainable goals
• Continually assessing the child/family needs and progress and adjusting goals accordingly
• Identifying and assisting connections with outside/community supports and resources
• Empowering families and promoting self-sufficiency.”

-- Kathy Connelly, MSW, LICSW, CMHS, OPMH Supervisor

Individual Child Counseling

Individual Child Counseling, or “play therapy,” offers each child a safe environment in which to explore and work on issues important to him or her with the help and support of a caring therapist. Therapy with adolescents focuses on problem solving and developing age-appropriate life skills.

Family Therapy

Family Therapy, or Parent Guidance, is a collaborative relationship between a child's caregiver and therapist with the goals of building on family strengths and increasing parenting skills. Family Therapy explores the family as a whole rather than as separate parts. All individuals who are involved in direct care of the child are encouraged to participate.

Case Management

Caregivers are often dealing with multiple issues. Ryther helps coordinate services between various agencies and providers such as teachers, doctors, DSHS caseworkers and other therapists. This service helps the child feel safe and greatly reduces the caregiver's stress.

Groups

Groups provide a safe, supportive environment in which peers in similar situations can share experiences and learn from each other. In the group setting, individuals interactively practice skills that can be applied to all aspects of their lives.

Outpatient Substance Abuse & Addiction Services

You Can Create the Life You Want
It isn't easy to learn to live without drugs and alcohol. However, with the help of counselors you can trust, many things that seem impossible can be accomplished. Ryther's outpatient program is for young people aged 10 to 20 who suffer from alcohol or drug abuse or addiction. Services include assessment and group (when available) and individual and family counseling. Outpatient services are offered at the Ryther main campus in Seattle's north end.
Co-Occurring Disorders: Since many of the young people who come to Ryther suffer from co-occurring disorders, the program offers services from staff members who are Washington state-certified in both chemical dependency and mental health treatment.

Assessment

For those who are first entering services, Ryther offers a complete bio-psycho-social assessment and referral service to determine the appropriate level of addiction care.
Affordable Fees
Ryther Child Center offers a sliding fee scale and accepts pre-authorized insurance payments and private pay.  

Co-Occurring Disorders

Since many of the young people who come to Ryther suffer from co-occurring disorders, the program offers services from staff members who are Washington state-certified in both chemical dependency and mental health treatment.

 

Affordable Fees

Ryther Child Center offers a sliding fee scale and accepts medical coupons, pre-authorized insurance payments and private pay.

For more information about Mental Health Counseling, call (206) 517-0260.

Ryther's West Seattle Location

The West Seattle Office, located at 1725 SW Roxbury Street, opened in 2001 in order to better meet the needs of families and youth in the under-served south-end neighborhoods of West Seattle, White Center and Burien.

Services available at Ryther's West Seattle Office include:

• Individual and Family Therapy
• Anger Management for youth

Individual therapy focuses on developing strengths and using resources to assist with individually presented challenges. Family therapy provides culturally respectful skills that integrate each member's experience into the family system.

Special accommodations are available for Hispanic clients receiving services at Ryther's West Seattle Branch. Interpreters are provided when needed. Ryther also works closely with other agencies and groups to reach out to the members of this diverse community.

For information on services in West Seattle, please call (206) 525-5050.