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 16 public housing communities and two elementary schools. Six days a week during the school year and five days during the summer months, we inspire learning, keep children safe and promote well-being through social and academic programming.
Children 5-18. No referral. 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. 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. 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
Family Focused
Solution Based Services
We provide in-home therapeutic support and case management through the least restrictive range of mental health services. We work with families to reduce the need of out-of-home placements by supporting and teaching primary caregiver roles, enabling families and children to develop strategies toward healing together.
Referral required from CYF Resource Coordinator or Casework Supervisor.
Phone: (412) 363 1702 PRESS 2 Email: ccscheduling@familyresources.org
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
Director of Treatment
Director of Treatment
brian tessmer, MA
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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Counselor
SHaon Robinson, LPC
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Shaon Robinson, LPC
What is the area where you have the most experience or expertise?
I have years of experience working with clients dealing with diagnosis/problems including, but not limited to Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, ODD, Grief and Loss, DMDD, Couples & Family Therapy, and other at-risk populations.
Which populations are you willing to work with (i.e. children, couples, adults)
I am willing to work with and have experience working with populations across the lifespan providing therapy to families, couples, individuals, and groups across settings.
How long have you worked in this field and/or at Family Resources?
I have worked in the field of counseling for 7 years and been employed at Family Resources as an Outpatient Therapist for 1.5 years.
Which hours are you available? If you have a regular schedule, please list it here.
I currently offer flexible hours during the day and some evenings, Monday through Friday.
Credentials with which insurance(s)?
I am currently credentialed with CCBH Medicaid insurance.
Please provide us with your personal philosophy or quote that answers the question – “What is counseling? What can the client achieve through counseling?”
Therapy is an art; not a Science. It encompasses the journey of hope and healing through the implementation of therapeutic interventions, with the goal to educate, empower, and inspire to change.
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Counselor
Cary Truley, MA
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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
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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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