Desert View Family Counseling Services

Desert View provides counseling at low to no cost for "at risk" youth--children/adolescents who show usual levels of acting out, anger, aggression, mood swings, depression and sadness.

Over the past decade, more and more attention has been given to the issues associated with At Risk Youth, including crime, violence, sexual activity, substance abuse, poor academic performance, etc.

Research shows that at risk youth struggle with complex issues and scenarios that are brought on by peers, mentors, family members, and difficult social environments. Many social critics argue that today's youth face more serious and critical risks than any previous generation.

Most experts will agree that violence in schools, deteriorating family structure, substance abuse, alarming media images, and gang activity put teens at risk. Teenagers who have trouble coping with stresses of life are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, engage in criminal activity, be sexually promiscuous, or even attempt suicide. Many of these at-risk teens run away and eventually find themselves locked up in detention centers or living on the streets.

Nothing is more destructive to a teen and their family than the abuse of alcohol and drugs; the earlier the intervention, the better. Unfortunately teens often hide their alcohol/drug usage from their family and it takes months or even years before the parents become aware of the problem. Many parents minimize the problem and don't pick up on the warning signs until the child has spun out of control.

Finally the family is confronted with an addicted teenager and is unable to deal with the situation on their own. Shame, denial, guilt and depression become obstacles to the teen's recovery. Unfortunately, teenagers often don't see the link between their actions today and the consequences tomorrow.

At Desert View, we are committed to provide effective best practices treatment to children, adolescents and families in San Juan County. We provide individual, family and group sessions and offer Drug Urine Analysis testing, with immediate results if you suspect your teen is at risk!

Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have -- and one of the toughest. We live in an increasingly complex world that challenges us every day with a wide range of disturbing issues that are difficult for children to understand and for adults to explain.

Desert View is committed to working with child and family until we find the right answers.

Everyone needs a little support from time to time; Parents and Grandparents. Our Parenting group utilizes a down to earth, realistic curriculum that allows each parent to learn parenting techniques that they are more comfortable with that are effective for both the child and parent. We also learn from each other as a group. Needing support does not mean you have failed as a parent- it simply means you want to be the best parent you can be.

“Step-Up” is a 6 week intensive psycho-social education group for teens which includes the following sessions: Effective communication, anger management, monitoring, understanding and controlling anger, substance abuse education and prevention including Inhalants & Spice and criminal behaviors / criminal thinking/shoplifting that are usually associated with adolescent behaviors. The age range for this group is 15-18.

“Making the Man” Making the Man is an intensive Boys Life Skills Group that focus on the challenges of being an adolescent male and some of the pressures young men often succumb to. We cover bullying, alternatives to violence, healthy dating relationships, what it takes to be a man, job searching and lastly, how to become a stand up guy and role model to your siblings and peers. The age range for this group is 13-18. This group is recommended for first time offenders.

“The Girl Group” The Girls Group focus on female adolescent issues that may include: Being out of control, isolated, dealing with a new social circle, concealment, problems at school, eccentricity, drugs and/or alcohol, anxiety and/or depression, violence, negative body image, nervous breakdowns and excessive moodiness. This group focus on what we can change and how important is to achieve self worth. Age range for this group is 14-18. .

Desert View offers Urine Analysis Testing for both male and female, onsite, for $10.00. For quantitative (lab) testing, the charge is $20.00. UA testing screens for methamphetamine, THC and cocaine use; a separate mouth swab tests for recent alcohol use.

Desert View is partially funded by San Juan United Way, Farmington New Mexico.

Requirement for Services : Proof of income, proof of insurance, social security number and Medicaid information (If applicable) are required for intake. Desert View accepts Medicaid, private insurance and utilizes an income based sliding fee scale.

We also have various funding source that you or your family may be eligible for. Sources of Funding : DOH-BHSD (Department of Health Behavioral Health Services Division) CYFD (Children's Youth and Families Department), CBH (Children's Behavioral Health-Optum Health), VOCA (Victims of Crime Act)Daniel's Fund, BHP Billiton, Conoco Phillips, Farmington Schools and SJUW (San Juan United Way).