Pelham Guidance Council

pelhamguidancecouncil.org

Cheryl A. Bobe, Executive Director

253 Wolf’s Lane
Pelham, NY 10803

(914) 738-0530

e-mail: pelguid@optonline.net

The Pelham Guidance council (PGC) specializes in issues of children, adolescents and their parents and offers counseling as well as programs in the schools and in the community.  It serves Pelham and the larger Westchester community since 1970.   The Agency is a not-for-profit and state and locally funded.  Licensed by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, in contract with Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, the Agency is regulated by state and county standards.

Founded by the Town of Pelham, the PGC provides prevention services to an age group most at risk for alcohol and drug abuse, and counseling services to respond to the changing needs and issues of adolescents and young adults.

The Board of the Pelham Guidance Council is a group of community residents interested in enhancing the quality of life in the community through community-based services.

Masters level staff specialize in adolescent and family mental health, specifically related to alcohol and substance abuse, trauma, death and loss, behavioral problems, divorce, body image and identity issues.  They adhere to the professional and ethical standards of the field.

We Serve:

The Pelham Guidance Council provides counseling to young people between 10 and 26 years of age and their families, who live in Pelham or the surrounding Westchester County community.

We accept self-referrals or referrals from schools, social services, mental health and law enforcements services.  We work mutually with referring services to ensure continuity.  Counseling is strictly confidential, in accordance with federal confidentiality regulations.

We do substance abuse assessments for adolescents and young adults, and crisis intervention.  We respond to requests for information and offer education workshops in substance abuse, adolescents, family functioning, and mental health issues.  We are involved in grassroots efforts toward community-wide education.

Counseling Services:

The Pelham Guidance Council provides individual counseling to youth and young adults who are experiencing any type of personal or family problems.  Counseling may focus on substance abuse issues, family issues, intimacy and relationships, job and school issues, career confusion, depression and anxiety.

The PGC provides family counseling to improve family communication and enhance family functioning.  We assist families where there is substance abuse, family violence, single parent family stress, ongoing conflicts as a result of divorce, mental illness, unresolved grief, and parenting issues.

The PGC serves the Pelham schools Grades K through 12 with a broad range of programming relevant to "safe schools" issues, including elementary school groups, Peer Leadership and Kids Helping Kids.   We have facilitated young adult groups, middle school discussion groups and groups for classes with behavioral problems.  We are currently recruiting for a group for at-risk girls, including behaviors such as poor academic performance, poor impulse control, poor school attendance, and self-destructive behavior.

School Based Services

The PGC serves the Pelham schools with a broad range programming relevant to “safe schools” issues.  The “Dare to Care” curriculum, Peer Leadership, and Kids Helping Kids are established for Grades K through 12.  We are available to develop programs and make special presentations to schools throughout Westchester County.

Fees

The fee for counseling services is based on a sliding scale.  No one is refused services because of an inability to pay.