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Parent Coffee Talks
As I began my new role as a Mental Health Consultant at Educare Head Start at Long Beach Unified School District, I was immediately introduced to teachers, staff and students. I was briefed on the high needs of the school and the community, as some students were...
Sunset Sip 2019: Hope Takes Flight
We invited the community to uplift and celebrate hope with us at Sunset Sip 2019, and what a wonderful evening it was! More than 180 people attended the 9th Annual Sunset Sip on September 14 at Hotel Maya and helped raise more than $175,000, exceeding funds raised in...
Hope Takes Flight – Client Stories Recap
Over the last few weeks, we shared updates from three of our former clients, Porschea, Gage and Alexis. Like so many of our clients, they each experienced trauma and faced significant hardships. Their inspiring stories showcase what can happen when hope takes flight....
Hope Takes Flight – Alexis
Anxiety and bullying once stopped Alexis from happily expressing herself. Now, she strives to connect and interact with others to help them smile. She’s done many exciting things since her last visit to The Guidance Center and singing at the 3rd Annual Sunset Sip. We...
Hope Takes Flight – Gage
Each day, Gage lives by the phrase, "shoot for the stars, even if you miss you'll always go somewhere new." He created this saying when repairing his self-confidence after years of bullying. He's done many new things and taken on new adventures since his last visit to...
Hope Takes Flight – Porschea
In her car, Porschea keeps an excerpt of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss, which was given to her by Raul at The Guidance Center. She feels uplifted each time she spots it and is encouraged to keep going. Porschea has accomplished a lot and has been to many...
Hope Takes Flight – Sunset Sip 2019
Every fall, friends and supporters of The Guidance Center come together to support critical mental health services for our community’s most disadvantaged children and their families at our annual Sunset Sip benefit. Each Sunset Sip event has a theme that highlights a...
Minorities and CSEC
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is a difficult but important topic on any day, and with July being Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, CSEC is even more important to discuss, as minorities are at a higher risk of being sexually trafficked. What...
Immigrants and Mental Health
Clinical Therapist, Daniela Ruiz-Cedeño, ASW, and Clinical Supervisor, Steven Frausto, LCSW, sat down with The Guidance Center’s Communications Manager, Geneses Davis, to discuss immigrants and mental health. Steven and Daniela work with clients who have migrated to...
Being A Black Therapist From Compton
For Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, Clinical Therapist, Stevie McBride, LMFT, discusses his experience as a Black Mental Health Therapist. Stevie McBride, LMFT, a clinical therapist in The Guidance Center’s Long Beach Outpatient Program, where he helps guide...
The Intersectionality Between Being Black & LGBTQ+
In the spirit of Minority Mental Health Month and with Pride Month just passing, I want to take a moment to speak not only to those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, but also to those who identify as members of the African-American community. This...
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 2019
Bebe Moore Campbell was a mental health advocate, teacher, journalist and author. Campbell wrote various novels and children’s books and discussed mental health with the public to help drive change, raise awareness and destigmatize mental health conditions and...
Summer Reading List for Positive Mental Health
The school year has officially ended and it’s now summer break! Resting and having fun without the school bell schedule is a great way for the whole family to reset and recharge. But how do you prevent a restful summer break from becoming a restless one? Last week,...
HOW TO: Keep Kids Busy in the Summer
Every summer there is a sense of panic for most parents which usually sounds like, “What am I going to do with my kids?!” Rather than thinking of summer as stressful, planning ahead can make summer an enjoyable time to connect as a family. The best advice I can give...
PTSD Awareness Month: Hope and a Call to Action
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed (exposed to) a traumatic event or events such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, rape or other...
Let Courage Rise – Meet Ezequiel
Meet Ezequiel, a former client of our School Based Program. Ezequiel wrote and illustrated a story about his therapeutic journey and how he learned to manage his emotions and thoughts.
Let Courage Rise – Meet Kayla
Meet Kayla, a client at our Long Beach Outpatient clinic. Upon entering therapy, Kayla struggled to manage her intrusive thoughts, excessive worrying and daily stomachaches. Months later, she has learned new ways to manage her stress and endure the...
Let Courage Rise – Meet Michelle
Meet Michelle, a former client of The Whole Child Program. She’s the third of five clients we are honored to feature and celebrate her courage during May Mental Health Month. Brittany, Michelle’s therapist, reflected on Michelle’s journey, resiliency,...
Let Courage Rise – Meet Cecilia
Meet Cecilia, a former client of our San Pedro clinic. She’s the second of five clients we are honored to feature and celebrate her courage during May Mental Health Month. Priscilla, Cecilia’s therapist, reflected on Cecilia’s journey, resiliency, and...
Let Courage Rise – Meet Rafael
Meet Rafael, a former client of our Compton clinic. He’s the first of five clients that we are honored to feature and celebrate their courage during May Mental Health Month. Rafael struggled with feelings of sadness and depression – feelings he described...