Crisis Support Services of Alameda County (CSS) began providing In-Home Therapy services to elderly and frail home-bound older adults in 1993 with a small grant from the Area Agency on Aging. Since 2005, the program has been expanded to provide therapy services to older adults at our North Oakland office. Services include group, individual, couples, and family therapy.
Therapy Services for Older Adults Mission
Our mission is to help older adults maintain their independence to the greatest extent possible and age in place by providing quality mental health services and emotional support. Research has indicated that one of the greatest issues for older adults is loneliness. The issue of social isolation, coupled with depression, is an important factor that contributes to the high risk for suicide among this population. Even though depression is the single most significant risk factor for suicide for older adults, older persons with depression rarely seek treatment for the illness and often don’t recognize it for what it is.
Older adults often suffer losses that include friends, loved ones, health, income, and independence. The aim of our Older Adult Therapy Programs is to provide a safe and supportive environment where participants can address issues of concern and maintain their independence. Many older adults use their time with us to share thoughts about their day-to-day lives, to reminisce about the past, or to speculate about the future. All of these are good topics for discussion during counseling sessions.
Structure
Therapy services are provided by mental health trainees and registered associates who are trained in geriatric mental health, grief, and crisis intervention and are supervised by licensed mental health professionals.
On-Site Therapy for Adults 65 Years of Age and Older
For those older adults who are able to come to our North Oakland office, group, individual, couples, and family therapy are available. On-Site counseling services are provided on a sliding scale and based on annual income and number of household members. Proof of income is not requested and the fee is negotiable. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Potential clients can refer themselves by calling to request services. Once referred, counselors conduct phone intake interviews giving the potential client an opportunity to get to know the counselor and negotiate the fee before coming to the office for their first appointment.
In-Home Therapy for Adults 65 Years of Age or Older
Our Older Adult In-Home Therapy Program provides in-home counseling, which includes emotional support and telephone follow-ups, to home-bound and/or socially isolated older adults who would benefit from weekly counseling and who otherwise would not have access to mental health services. There is no fee for In-Home Counseling services. Donations are accepted but not required to receive services.
Potential clients can refer themselves by calling to request services. Once referred, In-Home clients are interviewed, at their home, before being assigned a counselor who will contact them by phone to introduce themselves and set up the initial appointment.
Whom We Serve
On-Site Older Adult clients must be 65 years of age or older and all requests for service will be considered. It is not necessary for On-Site clients to reside in Alameda County.
In-Home Therapy Program clients must be 65 years of age or older. Special consideration is given to frail, high-risk, home-bound, and/or socially isolated, low-income, and minority elders who may not be able to acquire mental health services through more conventional means. All requests for service will be considered. At this time, we are only able to provide in-home services in Central and North Alameda County.
Support Groups
- BUILDING CONNECTIONS GROUP
The Building Connections group is for community members 55 and over who are experiencing social isolation. This group is designed to facilitate connection and create conversation in order to support people in increasing social support in their daily life - BEREAVEMENT GROUP
Few events in life are as painful as the death of a loved one. At times, you may be uncertain whether you have the energy or desire to heal. Our bereavement groups offer a safe, confidential place to gain support with loss, coping, and life transition.
Fees
The In-Home Program is a free program. We do accept donations but clients are not obligated to make a donation to receive services. The On-Site Program has a sliding-scale fee but no one is refused services for lack of ability to pay.
We respect your privacy. Email is not a secure method of communication. If you are interested in receiving services or would like more information about our program, contact the Therapy Services Program by calling: 1-800-260-0094.
