Family Services
How Family Services Can Help You
Learn More through Your Local Family Services Office
Consider reviewing “Being a Wise Consumer of Mental Health Resources” when approaching mental and emotional care. For a more detailed look into what you can expect from Family Services and its resources, see the pages below.
Common Questions
What is a Family Services Resource Discussion?
After receiving a referral from your bishop or stake president, you may be asked to have a brief visit, normally by phone, with a Family Service staff member (counselor). In this discussion, you and the counselor will determine resources that can help you meet your mental health needs.
What types of counseling does Family Services offer?
Family Services generally offers in-person, virtual, and group counseling for specific concerns. Counseling is short-term, typically up to 12 sessions. For other types of counseling or ongoing counseling support, Family Services also helps leaders and members find services in the community.
How do I set up an appointment with Family Services?
Family Services is a welfare resource of the Church, and as with other Church welfare services, the bishop has stewardship. Therefore, a referral from a bishop is required. Contact your bishop if you are interested in a Family Services Resource Discussion.
Are Family Services sessions confidential?
Family Services maintains confidentiality and will not discuss a client’s confidential information with anyone outside Family Services unless authorized by the client.
Since leaders are in a unique position to love and support their members, we prefer to work in collaboration with members and their leaders. So, Family Services does encourage members to give formal permission for counselors to consult with their Church leaders to allow the counselor and Church leader to work as a team in supporting the member. It is up to the client whether this permission is granted.
What resources are available if I’m struggling?
Family Services and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offer a variety of resources to help those struggling with mental and emotional health challenges:
How do I help someone who is struggling with mental health challenges?
There are many ways to offer support to those struggling with mental and emotional challenges:
- Show compassion and empathy (see “Developing the Empathy to Minister”).
- Do not offer unwanted advice or judgment (see “Learn the Healer’s Art,” and “Counseling Resources”).
- Share resources such as:
For more about what you can do to support others, see How Can I Help My Family Members Who Struggle with Mental Illness?
How can I find a Family Services office near me?
Type your address into the search below to find the Family Services office that serves your area.
What therapy groups are available?
Family Services offers group counseling in the following areas:
- Anxiety and depression
- General mental health skills
- Healing from sexual abuse
- Marriage
- Missionary adjustment
- Pornography treatment (men, women, youth)
- Trauma
See more available groups and other details in What Is Group Therapy?