Alternatives Inc. is a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides trauma-informed behavioral health services to youth and families, operating from its Washington Park Center and through over twenty school-based sites across Chicago’s north, west, and south sides. The organization’s individual and group counseling program offers strength-based therapy and case management delivered by trained, licensed master’s-level therapists, addressing substance abuse alongside family conflict, peer relationships, identity issues, anger management, and behavioral and emotional challenges. Services are available at no cost to those with public insurance or no insurance, and are open to individuals ages 10 to 24.
Counseling Approach and Outcomes
Individual and group counseling at Alternatives is rooted in a trauma-informed, asset-based model that builds on each young person’s strengths within the context of family and community. The program reaches hundreds of youth and families annually, and the organization reports that 86 percent of youth showed improvement on their post-assessments and 85 percent of youth whose caregiver participated in counseling showed improvement in that relationship. Counseling is available at the Washington Park site as well as through school-based health centers and Chicago Public Schools locations.
Prevention Education
Alternatives also operates a Youth Prevention Education program using the evidence-based “Too Good for Drugs” curriculum, a two-year program with core and booster components that includes opioid-specific sessions and addresses alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. The program requires 80 percent attendance for effectiveness.
