First Five
Five therapy sessions. No cost.
Pathways First Five gives eligible new CYS clients the opportunity to receive five individual therapy sessions at no cost through special CYS funding. It’s an easy way to experience therapy, build support, and discover whether therapy may be right for you.
In person & telehealth • English & Spanish
Available to eligible new CYS therapy clients. Appointments are limited and subject to program funding, clinical appropriateness and graduate student therapist availability.
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NO COST TO GET STARTED
Five individual therapy sessions are covered through special CYS funding.
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NO LONG-TERM COMMITMENT
Start with five sessions and experience therapy without committing to ongoing services.
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PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Work one-on-one with a carefully selected graduate student therapist under the close supervision of a licensed clinical professional.
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FLEXIBLE OPTIONS
Sessions are available in person at our Laguna Hills or Tustin offices, or through telehealth when appropriate.
IS FIRST FIVE RIGHT FOR YOU?
Pathways First Five may be a good fit if you:
✓ Are new to CYS therapy services
✓ Would like to explore whether therapy could be helpful for you or your child
✓ Are comfortable working with a graduate student therapist
✓ Can commit to attending up to five scheduled therapy sessions
✓ Are clinically appropriate for the program based on CYS’s intake process
Already receiving therapy at CYS?
First Five was created specifically to help new clients begin therapy and is not available to current CYS therapy clients.
Who will I work with?
You’ll be matched with a carefully selected graduate student therapist who is currently completing a master’s degree program in mental health and gaining supervised clinical experience at CYS.
Our graduate student therapists may be completing their training as MFT Trainees, Social Work Interns, or PCC Trainees. Each student is carefully screened by CYS and works under the close supervision of our experienced, licensed clinical supervisors.
This model gives you the benefit of one-on-one support along with the additional guidance and oversight of a licensed clinical professional.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER FIVE SESSIONS?
There’s no obligation to continue. If you’d like additional support, we’ll talk with you about available options and help determine the next step that works best for you.
PREFER A POSTGRADUATE THERAPIST?
CYS also offers therapy with postgraduate clinicians who have already earned their master’s degree and are completing supervised clinical experience toward independent licensure. These services are available through our regular Pathways Therapy program at our affordable session rate.
First Five is made possible by our community.
WHY IS FIRST FIVE LIMITED?
California Youth Services is a nonprofit organization. The funding that allows us to provide First Five therapy sessions at no cost comes from grants, donations and fundraising efforts that help CYS make mental health services more accessible.
Because these funds are limited, First Five appointments are offered based on available funding and graduate student therapist availability. As additional funding becomes available, we can help more people take that important first step into therapy.
Your support can help another child, teen or adult begin therapy without cost being the barrier.
HELP KEEP FIRST FIVE GOING
Donations, grants and fundraising make First Five possible and help us continue providing this opportunity to new clients in our community. Every contribution helps extend the reach of First Five and gives more people the opportunity to experience the benefits of therapy.
Your gift helps make therapy more accessible to those who need it.
READY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP?
Getting started is simple.
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REACH OUT
Complete the request form below or contact CYS to tell us you're interested in therapy. Mention you would like to participate in the First Five.
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2
START WITH AN INTAKE
Your first appointment helps us understand what you're experiencing and what kind of support you're looking for.
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FIND THE RIGHT FIT
We’ll help determine the appropriate therapist and next steps for you or your family.
Questions? Call CYS at (949) 303-9016 • Hablamos Español
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You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.
Request Pathways First Five
Interested in receiving five therapy sessions at no cost? Complete the form and a member of the CYS team will contact you to discuss availability and next steps.