Therapy services provided in the home or at our counseling center located in Mission Valley. Services are provided on a sliding-fee scale or through the Victim Compensation Fund.

Contact: (619)0692-0727 ext.118 or jfick@home-start.org

• This program is specifically designed to provide therapy to youth 17 years of age and younger who have been victims of abuse/traumatic event, or are potential victims of abuse or a traumatic event.  Services are provided free of charge to the youth.  No family counseling is allowed, although parents can be provided some adjunctive services.  However, family therapy cannot be the focus of the treatment.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

• PCIT services are offered free to children in North Central San Diego, North Coastal San Diego, and North Inland San Diego through Health Development Services (HDS) from the 1st Five Foundation of California.  PCIT is provided in the homes and clients are usually referred through the Regional Coordinators of these three programs.  Children must be younger than 5 years, 11 months old and not in kindergarten to receive these services. 
• In some cases, PCIT can be provided free of charge to children up to age 7 years, if they are eligible for services of CHAT.  Please see above information for CHAT-related criteria.
• PCIT can also be provided to clients through the HSI Counseling Center and these services are charged based on a sliding scale fee (See HSI on the next page for more information on sliding scale fees).

Family Counseling

• Families residing in Southeast San Diego (zip codes include 92101, 92102, 92103, 92112, 92113, 92114, 92136, 92138, 92139, 92149, 92163, 92174, 92179) who are or have attended the parenting classes offered by Home Start’s Optimal Health and Development Program are eligible for free family therapy through a grant from St. Germaine Childrens Charity. 
• Families dealing with Domestic Violence are eligible for free family therapy through the Healing Together program.  Last year, this program served 15 families and will serve 21 families this year. 
• All families throughout the entire county of San Diego can receive services for family therapy, but will be charged based on a sliding scale fee schedule through the HSI Counseling Center. 

Victims of Crime (VOC)

• Victims of crimes (e.g., domestic violence, sexual assault, gang-related violence, kidnapping, etc.) are eligible for services free of charge through the Victims Compensation Program.  These services are provided to children, adolescents, adults, and families, and are offered countywide.  To qualify for this no-cost service, there must be a police report on file or CPS substantiated abuse.  

Treatment and Evaluation Resources Management (TERM)

• San Diego county social workers may request a psychological evaluation or treatment for a client who will be seen via county funds. There are no fees for these clients.

Home Start, Inc. (HSI) Counseling Center

provides individual, couples, and family therapy to children, adolescents, adults and caregivers.  Fees for these services are based on annual family income and number of family members in the residence.  As of this date, we offer the lowest fee for service in all of San Diego.  Fees range from $20 per session to $115 per session. 

In addition to providing counseling or therapy, HSI also conducts psychological testing and again this is at substantially reduced fees.  In private practice, most psychologists will charge about $1800 for a full battery of tests.  HSI offers testing from $100 to $400 for a full battery of tests.  The exact fee is determined by the annual family income and the number of family members in the household.  In some instances, clients will not need to pay for services when they are covered under the Child Abuse Treatment (CHAT) Program, Victims of Crime (VOC) or Treatment Evaluation Resources Management (TERM).  This psychological testing evaluates cognitive/intellectual functioning, personality characteristics, intrapersonal functioning, and social functioning.  Typically, psychological testing is able to provide information about diagnoses and making treatment recommendations.  HSI does not provide psychological testing for custody evaluations. 

The Counseling Center does not accept any insurance at this time.

Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse (ASCA) Groups