The region’s leader in the fight against child abuse.
We prevent child abuse before it happens. We intervene when it does. We treat when healing is needed.
prevention services
Prevent before it happens
BJWL Out-of-School-Time
The Beverly Jewel Wall Lovelace Out of School Time Program (BJWL) is the largest provider of out-of-school time services in Allegheny County. We’re located in 14 public housing communities and two elementary schools. Five days a week during the school year and during the summer months, we inspire learning, keep children safe and promote well-being through social and academic programming.
Children from Kindergarten-18 years old.
No referral required. No fee.
Phone: (412) 363-1702 EXT. 1905 Email: mwright@familyresources.org
Hill District Center
for Nurturing Families
We provide parent education and support, opportunities for family interactive groups and family goal planning, as well as child development through school-readiness activities. Programs are designed and led by Family Support Center members, providing a supportive environment of peers.
No referral required. No fee.
Phone: (412) 363-1702 EXT. 1605 Email: dglover@familyresources.org
Reach Out to Families
We focus on parent education, working with parents with children 0-18 to develop nurturing and attachment skills. We reduce parent-child conflict and family discord; help connect families to community resources, and offer tools for creating a safe space where the family can grow and build healthy relationships.
No referral required. No fee.
Phone: (412) 363-1702 PRESS 2 Email: preed@familyresources.org
Intervention Services
Intervene when something happens
Family Unification
We provide support and education for families who are at risk of separation, foster care placement, or adoption. We also provide services for families who have been separated and are working toward reunification and developing positive relationship patterns and skills.
Referral required from CYF Resource Coordinator or Casework Supervisor.
Phone: (412) 363-1702 EXT. 1119 Email: ccscheduling@familyresources.org
Parent-Teen Mediation
We offer free counseling to families with children 8-21 years old who are experiencing conflict, struggling to create or maintain a positive home environment, or having difficulty managing a child or teenager’s behavior. We focus on structure, communication, and relationship skill building to enhance family function.
Call or email for more information.
Phone: (412) 363 1702 PRESS 2 Email: ccscheduling@familyresources.org
Joint Planning Team
We support families with children 5-21 years old with a mental health diagnosis who are involved in multiple systems. Wraparound facilitators address the unique needs of the child and family to develop an individualized care plan. We work to enable the child to remain safely in their home and community with appropriate support and resources.
Call or email for more information.
Phone: (412) 363 1702 PRESS 2 Email: ccscheduling@familyresources.org
treatment services
Treat when healing is needed
Therapeutic
Preschool
We support social and emotional learning for children ages 3-5 years old. Here, children who have experienced trauma and need emotional and behavioral support can find the environment that they need to heal, build confidence and pave the way to be successfully enrolled in a traditional school setting.
Call or email for more information.
Phone: (412) 363 1702 PRESS 2 Email: ccscheduling@familyresources.org
Family Based
Mental Health
Through comprehensive therapeutic interventions and trauma-informed care, we support families of children who are at risk of child abuse and/or neglect or are affected by mental health issues. Our services are child-focused, family-centered, culturally sensitive, collaborative with other systems, and work to keep each child in the home.
Call or email for more information.
Phone: (412) 363 1702 PRESS 2 Email: ccscheduling@familyresources.org
Counseling Center
Healing can begin when we take the first step of change
We’re glad you’re considering Family Resources for your journey. The support of counselors has proven to be effective in the lives of individuals and families experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression.
The staff at the Counseling Center are trained professionals who use evidence-based approaches to best serve you. Although it can be difficult, every destination is reached by taking one step at a time.
- Is getting through a daily effort? Do you struggle to get out of bed?
- Does your mind race with thoughts of everything you need to do?
- Do you and your partner have the same arguments over and over?
- Did you witness or lose someone close to you to violence?
- Are one or more of your children hard to handle?
Brian Tessmer, MA, NCC, LPC
Director of Treatment
Director of Treatment
brian tessmer, MA, LPC
What is the area where you have the most experience or expertise?
I have worked most often with children, teenagers, and adults who have encountered mood disorders, trauma, family conflict, and anxiety. I also have experience working with children experiencing behavioral and attention-deficit challenges, and with adults and children who have committed sexual offenses. I am certified by Allegheny County as an agency trainer for S.O.G.I.E. (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression) and have worked often with individuals who are experiencing challenges related to their S.O.G.I.E.
Which populations are you willing to work with (i.e. children, couples, adults)
I can work with clients of all ages, gender identities, and backgrounds. I have experience counseling families.
How long have you worked in this field and/or at Family Resources?
I have 12 years of experience in the mental health/social services field. I have had the pleasure of working at Family Resources since 2011.
Which hours are you available? If you have a regular schedule, please list it here.
I am available most weekdays, and on most weeknights until 7:00 PM. I work two Saturdays per month between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Credentials with which insurance(s)?
Medicaid
Tell us a little bit about your life interests
Outside of work, I enjoy exercising, reading, playing music, and spending time with my wife and son. I am a big fan of hockey, football, and Netflix.
Please provide us with your personal philosophy or quote that answers the question – “What is counseling? What can the client achieve through counseling?”
I feel strongly that every human being possesses the capacity for positive change. No matter the challenges presented to each of us, we get a renewed opportunity every single day to make small, incremental progress towards our goals. My highest priority is to ensure that all treatment team members approach each session with a non-judgmental and open attitude while providing quality counseling to our consumers.
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supervisor
Carisa Reynolds, LPC
About CarisaCounselor
Carisa Reynolds, LPC
What is the area where you have the most experience or expertise?
Throughout my career, I’ve had the most experience working with children/adolescents and their families, but I have also worked with adult clients. I’ve worked with individuals with a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, and oppositional defiant disorder. The type of therapy I have the most expertise in is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and this is a therapy that I often utilize with my clients.
Which populations are you willing to work with (i.e. children, couples, adults)
I’m open to working with all populations and ages. I love gaining new experiences and providing help to anyone seeking it!
How long have you worked in this field and/or at Family Resources?
Although I just began working at Family Resources in May 2020, I have been working in the mental health field since November 2008 in a wide variety of capacities. I’ve worked as an outpatient therapist in both the clinic and school settings, a mobile in-home therapist, and most recently as a supervisor of an outpatient clinic.
Which hours are you available? If you have a regular schedule, please list it here.
My work hours are typically Monday-Friday between 9 and 5, but I will work evening hours occasionally as needed.
Credentials with which insurance(s)?
I’ve been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) since 2011 and I’m credentialed with both UPMC and Highmark as well as Medicaid.
Tell us a little bit about your life interests.
I am a social person who loves to spend time with my friends and family. I love the outdoors and try to spend as much time outside as possible by hiking, camping, and kayaking. When inside, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and crafting. I love to learn, and I am always trying to extend my knowledge to better help my clients.
Please provide us with your personal philosophy or quote that answers the question – “What is counseling? What can the client achieve through counseling?”
To me, a client can achieve whatever they put their mind to in counseling. This could include healing from trauma, emotional stability, and/or improving relationships. I believe that my job as a therapist is to help guide clients on their journey by meeting them where they are rather than pushing my own agenda. I like to help build my clients’ confidence and independence so that they will be ready to successfully discharge and maintain the progress they have achieved in therapy.
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Counselor
BrittanY Sanson, MS
Schedule Now About BrittanyCounselor
Brittany Sanson, LPC
What is the area where you have the most experience or expertise?
I spent the majority of my professional career working with the at-risk population. Throughout the years, I have encountered children, teenagers and adults who need guidance in relation to; mood and personality disorders, trauma, family conflict, anxiety, behavioral concerns, cognitive disabilities, substance abuse and criminal history. I have received certifications for Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused CBT, Solution Focused and Sanctuary Model therapeutic interventions.
Which populations are you willing to work with (i.e. children, couples, adults)
I can work with clients of all ages, gender identities, social economic status and cultural backgrounds. I have experience in facilitating individual, family and group therapy sessions. I am most passionate about helping to guide children, teenagers and adults to find themselves through self-actualization.
How long have you worked in this field and/or at Family Resources?
Although I am new to Family Resources as of 2020, I have been in the Mental/Behavioral Health field for nine years.
Which hours are you available? If you have a regular schedule, please list it here.
I am available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30am-4:30pm,
Tuesday from 9am-7pm
Friday from 8:30am-2:30pm
Credentials with which insurance(s)?
I am currently credentialed through CCBH Medicaid insurance.
Tell us a little bit about your life interests.
“Self-Care is giving the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you.” I strongly live this motto in order to balance my personal/professional life which allows me to best serve my clients by providing time for myself. Typically, I spend most of my time with my family and friends creating memories . I also enjoy spontaneous opportunities to travel to new cities and countries, reading, working out and listening to music. I am an adrenaline seeker, in the past I went skydiving, swam with whale sharks and jumped off cliffs into the ocean, however, I am always looking for something else to conquer.
Please provide us with your personal philosophy or quote that answers the question – “What is counseling? What can the client achieve through counseling?”
“Your profession is not what brings home your weekly paycheck, your profession is what you’re put on this earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that is becomes spiritual in calling”.
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Beneath every behavior there is a feeling. And beneath feeling is a need. And when we meet that need rather than focus on the behavior, we begin to deal with the cause, not the symptom. I strive to foster an open, safe and non-judgmental space where my clients have the ability to share their story, to transition on the journey from broken and damaged to healed and restored, so that they can become the best versions of themselves.
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Counselor
Cary Truley, MA
Schedule Now About CaryCounselor
Cary Truley, MA
What is the area where you have the most experience or expertise?
I've worked with many different populations. I started out working for Parent-Teen mediation, serving many families that are having communication issues. I've worked with families and teenagers. I've spent a lot of time working with children/adults with OCD.
Which populations are you willing to work with (i.e. children, couples, adults)
I'm willing to work with all populations. The family dynamic, individuals, couples, adults and children.
How long have you worked in this field and/or at Family Resources?
I started my humble beginnings in the mental health field with Family Resources three years ago.
Which hours are you available? If you have a regular schedule, please list it here.
I'm available in the evenings. I'm in the office from Monday-Wednesday from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm.
Credentials with which insurance(s)?
CCBHO, Gateway, UPMC for You, UPMC for Kids
Tell us a little bit about your life interests.
Where do I start? I'd say my top interests are that I'm an avid world traveler, a music enthusiast, a car enthusiast, a poem writer, a spontaneous restaurant diver, a devoted dog dad, and a mountain trail explorer.
Please provide us with your personal philosophy or quote.
My philosophy is "understanding yourself is key." Throughout life, we are presented with many obstacles. I believe that you can challenge those obstacles if you're able to try the following things: 1) Be able to understand who you are, what your strengths are, and what areas are not your strongest. 2) Know how you are likely to react to certain situations. 3) Know what you need to stabilize your mental health in the moment and over time.
"What is counseling? What can the client achieve through counseling?"
Counseling can provide an open platform to discover yourself. Counseling is the ability to self-reflect in an open, safe and human place where judgment is thrown far out of the window. Counseling is a place that provides the space for error that the outside world sometimes does not want you to have. Counseling can serve as a “how to” manual to be the best version of yourself.
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Counselor
Holly Zill, LPC
Schedule Now About HollyCounselor
Holly Zill, LPC
What is the area where you have the most experience or expertise?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eco Systemic Structural Family Therapy
Which populations are you willing to work with (i.e. children, couples, adults)
All
How long have you worked in this field and/or at Family Resources?
In this field – since 2016
Which hours are you available? If you have a regular schedule, please list it here.
Monday and Friday 9-5pm; Tuesday – Thursday 10 – 6pm
Credentials with which insurance(s)?
UPMC commercial, Highmark, Medicaid, UPMC Medicaid
Please provide us with your personal philosophy or quote that answers the question – “What is counseling? What can the client achieve through counseling?”
A client can achieve their potential, alternative ways to manage their emotions, understand themselves and others to create and sustain positive change.
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