news
Talking Helps After Crisis
One month has passed since the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. In the weeks since, we’ve heard threats of violence reported at our Long Beach schools and in numerous nearby communities.When I heard the news about the latest shooting, as a...
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Celebrating our Social Workers
so·cial work·erˈsōSHəl ˈwərkər (noun)a person dedicated to enhancing the well-being of others and meeting the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable in our societyMarch is National Social Worker Month so we're taking the opportunity to...
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It’s About T.I.M.E. Partners with Head Start
My decade-plus tenure as a clinician at The Guidance Center has provided me with the privilege of being with hundreds of children of all ages. Notice the choice of word, “being” rather than the word “working”. In my opinion, and experience, therapeutic healing comes...
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For Teens: How to know if you’re in an abusive dating relationship
Meet Taylor, a 15-year-old high school student. Taylor has been dating Alex for six months. Recently, Taylor appears sad and has stopped hanging out with friends. When friends ask to hang out, Taylor will run it by Alex but will cancel plans with friends when Alex...
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Parents: How to Have a Healthy Conversation about Teen Dating Violence
Trying to hold a conversation with a teen can be difficult. Trying to hold a conversation about a heavy subject like teen dating violence can be even harder for both parent and teen. However, it can be informative for both parent and teen; can be preventative for a...
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Celebrating Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, The Guidance Center would like to recognize several of the leaders who serve as activists for the importance of mental health. Communities of color, including children, experience unique obstacles in accessing mental health care...
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Community is the Foundation: It’s About T.I.M.E. Program Update
This past August, I walked onto the campus of Long Beach’s Poly PAAL High School to train the teaching and administrative staff, beginning our two-year It’s About T.I.M.E. journey. I always wonder how my curriculum will be received by other professionals. Will it be...
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Join the Fight to End Human Trafficking
Andrea is 11 years old. She loves drawing and walking to the park with her friends. She’s tall for her age, and struggles to fit in with her foster siblings. She’s desperately lonely at home. She finds her escape at school but often gets distracted dreaming about what...
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A Community of Connection
This special client success story comes from our 2016-17 Annual Report. Click here to experience more stories of community and hope that comes from compassionate collaboration. “Community means coming together for the common good of the kids.”-Armando Naranjo,...
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Adopt-a-Family Program Gives Joy to Many
Because of generous community members and local organizations, 150 of our children and parents, totaling almost 40 families, will experience the joy of the holiday season this year. The holidays for our families can be especially difficult. They come from all...
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Annual Client Holiday Party
Nothing warms our hearts and brings the holiday spirit quite like our annual Client Holiday Party! And, this year’s celebration was no exception.On Wednesday, our headquarters in Long Beach was transformed into a winter wonderland just for our children and families...
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Preparing for the Holidays + Upcoming Community Events
It’s not quite yet December, but the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can already be felt. Holiday decorations are popping up all over neighborhoods and in stores. A slight chill can even be felt in the air.The holidays can be a magical time, full of...
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Happy Thanksgiving + Thank You Food Finders!
Before our staff head out to celebrate Thanksgiving with their friends and families, we want to take a moment to express our sincerest gratitude for all you do to support the children and their families we serve at The Guidance Center.The holiday season, in...
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Sunset Sip 2017: Nurture Your Inner Child
Last Saturday, we invited the community to nurture their inner child at Hotel Maya, and what fun we had doing just that! Words fail to express just how grateful we are for the outpouring of support we received from the community at Sunset Sip 2017.230 friends of The...
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Meet our Sunset Sip Sponsors
Over The Guidance Center’s more than 70-year history, a key factor in enabling us to provide much-needed mental health services to our community’s most disadvantaged children and families has been our many passionate supporters.They’ve used their voice to advocate for...
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2017 + Resources
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s important that we take a stand together and break the silence that allows domestic violence to thrive, celebrate survivors, mourn those we have lost at the hand of domestic violence, and empower others to work to end...
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Nurture Your Inner Child, Pt. 3: Meet Carl
This year at Sunset Sip, we’re inviting guests to nurture their inner child and experience the healing power of play like our clients do in treatment. Last week, Nathan Swaringen, LCSW, shared 6-year-old Victor’s story and how play gave him a voice. Now, he shares...
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Nurture Your Inner Child, Pt. 2: Meet Victor
This year at Sunset Sip, we’re inviting guests to nurture their inner child and experience the healing power of play like our clients do in treatment. Last week, Nathan Swaringen, LCSW, provided insight into play therapy and its benefits to the healing process. Now,...
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Nurture Your Inner Child Explained
Nurture your inner child. It’s the theme for Sunset Sip 2017 and highlights a key component of play therapy, but what does it mean and why is it important? Why would we invite guests to “nurture their inner child?”To help answer those questions, we enlisted the help...
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Navigating the IEP Process, Pt 2: On to the Main Course
Jack is a 9-year-old boy in 4th grade that loves Legos, wrestling, and art. He would love to draw comic books when he grows up. He is competitive (especially with soccer), but also compassionate, is a helpful big brother to his sister, and tries to help his mom with...
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