Center for Family Services
The Center for Family Services, our on-site clinic, has two missions: education and service. To fulfill our first mission - education - we are dedicated to training top-notch marriage and family therapists. About 20 therapist interns a year receive training at the Center. Students who train at the center receive close supervision from faculty members and other well-qualified professionals from the community. A supervisor is always present when students see clients to assure clients get quality care and students get a quality educational experience. Our second mission - service - means providing low-cost, quality mental health services to Northern Virginia couples, families and individuals.
Hours & Fees
- The Clinic operates in the evenings (Monday - Thursday, 5-9PM), on Saturday mornings (9-12PM) and on Tuesday mornings (10-3PM). During the summer, the clinic operates in the evenings (Monday - Wednesday, 5-9pm), on Saturday mornings (10-1pm), and one weekday from 10-3pm.
- Center Business Hours:
Monday through Friday, 10am-3pm.
- Therapy sessions must be arranged by appointment.
- Fees are set on a sliding scale and are based on family income, family size, and ability to pay. Fees range from $5 to $60 per 50 minute session.
Making an Appointment
Clients may call the Center office at 703-538-8470. They will be asked to provide basic information to a trained intake worker. The family therapist intern who is assigned to work with the client will call to make an appointment for the first session. In the event that there is a waiting list, clients will be informed that this is the case and asked if they would like a referral to other clinical services. Clients are usually asked to come to their first appointment 15 minutes before the session begins to complete a brief family background form.
Facility
The Center is located in the Northern Virginia Center which houses Virginia Tech and University of Virginia off campus programs. It is conveniently located across the street from the West Falls Church Metro stop. Our state-of-the-art facility has four therapy rooms equipped with one-way mirrors and video equipment for live supervision. We also have a group therapy room, as well as office space for student interns and support staff and a waiting room.
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Distinctions
We are part of the Marriage and Family Therapy program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
Staff and faculty members are licensed marriage and family therapists. The director is also a licensed clinical social worker. Other faculty members are also licensed professional counselors or licensed psychiatric nurses.
We have been providing services to the Northern Virginia community for more than 10 years.
Students trained at the Center are consistently in high demand for employment at local agencies.
Referral Sources
Our clients come from the Northern Virginia community and represent a variety of ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic groups. Each year, we provide about 2,500 hours of counseling to more than 200 individuals, couples, and families. The Center is particularly noted for work with families in which there has been domestic violence.
Clients are referred to us by school counselors, social service agencies, transitional housing programs, the court system, and private practitioners. We mail Center brochures to a variety of referral sources two or three times per year. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please call the Center at 703-538-8470 or send us an e-mail message by going to the Contact Us section on this website.
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Strengthening Bonds in Distressed Couple Relationships Research Study
- Are you married or in a committed relationship (and have been living with your partner for at least 1 year)?
- Are you experiencing problems or unhappiness in your marriage?
- Are you interested in beginning couples therapy to help strengthen your relationship?
If you answered "yes" to these questions, you may be eligible for the Strengthening Bonds research study.
What is the Strengthening Bonds Study?
The study will assess the benefits of therapy for couples who are experiencing problems or unhappiness in their marriage. You’ll receive couples therapy at a discounted fee in exchange for telling us about your experiences.
How do I know if I’m eligible to participate?
If you answered “yes” to the questions above, you may be eligible. If you are interested in participating, call us at 703-538-8470. You and you’re partner will need to answer a few more questions to see if you qualify. This study is not for you if you or your partner are experiencing physical violence in your relationship or have an active problem with alcohol or other substances.
Where will my appointments be?
For your couples therapy appointments, you and your partner will meet with your therapist in their office in Northern Virginia, DC, or Maryland. For the study, you will meet with us at Virginia Tech in Falls Church so we can collect information about your relationship and your experiences in therapy.
What will the study involve?
You and your partner will receive 15 weeks of couples therapy at a discounted rate from a licensed therapist. You and your partner will also answer questions about your experience of the therapy and about your relationship throughout the 15 weeks and at 2 follow-up appointments.
To learn more or to see if you’re eligible to participate, call us at 703-538-8470.