Family Guidance Center's mission is to promote and support the personal and professional growth of adults, children and families in Berks County and surrounding areas by providing counseling and related services that empower people to improve the quality of their lives.

Description:
FGC is licensed by the PA Department of Public Welfare as an outpatient mental health provider and by the PA Department of Health as an outpatient drug and alcohol provider. Counseling concerns addressed include issues such as: depression, anxiety; mental,physical and sexual abuse; drug, alcohol and other addictions; grief and loss, relationship and parenting difficulties; financial, work and health issues; and mental illness. The general goal of the program is to assist persons in improving their quality of life by providing affordable, accessible, quality services. Specifically, these goals are achieved through: 1) providing services on a sliding scale fee; 2)locating services in accessible areas, i.e. offices in the city, suburbs, and rural areas, and in schools in the city; 3)assessing outcomes based on a reduction of presenting symptoms and an increase in functioning; and 4)utilizing qualified, credentialed, competent staff.

History:
The present day FGC was created in September 1966 through the merger of three Berks County agencies. The oldest of the three agencies, Family Services of Reading and Berks County was organized in 1902 to address the economic needs of unemployed citizens of the county. In 1949, the agency also began to address social and personal difficulties of members of the community. In 1966, Family Services of Reading and Berks County merged with the Guidance Institute of Berks County which had been providing treatment to county residents experiencing mental and emotional disorders and with The Children's Aid Society which provided protective services for children. The merger resulted in the new Family Guidance Center. The core services of the new agency were the diagnosis and treatment of emotional and social disturbances in individuals and families and consultative support to other professionals, agencies and institutions. While terminology has changed, FGC continues to provide the core services identified in 1966.

Contact people:

Kimberly McConnell, Executive Director, (610) 374-4963, (email) Toni Gerhart, Program Director, (610) 374-4963, (email) Erin McCloy, Administrative Assistant, (610) 374-4963, (email)

Office fax number: (610) 378-5403

Address:

3570 Old Route 22 Hamburg, PA 19526 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.familyguidancecenter.com

Directions:

The Hamburg Center