Who do we serve?

Serving, honoring, and valuing people of all races, abilities, cultures, religions, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions is our center's mission. Our therapists specialize in supporting children and adolescents 4-16 years old. We recognize the importance of family involvement in the healing process by prioritizing open communication channels with a child's caregivers. Alongside collaborating with your family, our therapists are proficient in various play-based therapeutic interventions.

We provide support for a variety of struggles and situations, including:

• Adjustment disorders (i.e., bereavement/grief, loss) 
• Anxiety/Depression, Emotional Disturbance (ED)
• Attachment disorders (i.e., Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) 
• Conduct Disorder (CD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)  
• Child Welfare, and Child in the Care and Custody of Division of Family Services
• Disruptive behavioral disorders (i.e., Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
• Life transitions 
• Poor social skills 
• Relationship/family issues 
• School problems (behavioral/social-emotional issues) 
• Self-injurious behaviors 
• Suicide Ideation
• Trauma and stress-related disorders and mood disorders (i.e., complex trauma)

For those who have needs beyond what we offer, we provide a free community resource guide and, when appropriate, at least three provider referrals.

Play-Based Therapy:  We offer individual, group, and family play-based therapy services to children and their families. Our therapists support healing and recovery with innovative, research-backed methods. Using a comprehensive clinical mental, behavioral, and social examination, our one-on-one approach addresses and treats a wide range of illnesses and issues. Play-based therapies are utilized to help children delve into and articulate their emotions and experiences. This approach fosters healing and rehabilitation in an individualized, playful, and creative manner. 

NOW ACCEPTING NEW REFERRALS! 

Accepted insurance plans include: Medicaid, Cigna, Anthem/BCBS, and United Healthcare/Optum

This transformative program is focused on nurturing resilience and promoting social mobility for children in the community. It offers a safe environment at our headquarters to address adverse experiences and thrive through diverse social and recreational activities. Together, we shape a brighter future for children, one joyful moment at a time, with Social-Skills @ Play℠. 

Our current activity offerings include:

• Exercise and Movement - Elevate your child's well-being with our enriching kids' yoga classes, fostering physical and emotional growth through mindfulness and joyful activity. 
• Social Clubs - Come and engage with each other through different fun activities created and maintained by the club members. Children will share interests and hobbies to learn and build social and friendship skills. 

Social-Skills @ Play℠  Pricing:

• FREE for all clinical members
• TWO WEEKS FREE for non-members, then choose a membership option below:
• 3-Day Pass: $8, admittance to any 3 classes, activities, and/or programs within 30 days of purchase.
• 30-Day Pass: $25, Full access to all activities, classes, and programs within 30 days of purchase.
• Monthly Membership (billed monthly for 12 months): $15/month, full access to all activities, classes, and programs.
• Annual Membership (1-year commitment, no cancellations): $150/year, full access to all activities, classes, and programs. Receive 20% off with full payment, or 1 month free with a 3-month payment plan.

Check out this month's activity calendar below! Call: 314-643-6621 to register today!

DYWC is offering eight free play-based sessions to community youth through our SEM-Care Wellness℠ Programs. These program offerssocial-emotional care at schools and on-site at DYWC. It uses individual and small-group interventions designed to empower youth aged 5-23 with the tools and knowledge to enhance their well-being, personal growth, and overall quality of life. 

Our school-based services provide individual counseling and small group wellness sessions for students aged 5-16 during the academic year. These at-school interventions target various concerns such as adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and trauma, anxious behavior, social-emotional concerns, mood dysregulation, disruptive behaviors, poor impulse control (including self-regulation and self-harm), and school-related issues such as adjustments and transitions.

Our community-based services include small group wellness sessions for individuals aged 11-23. Group sessions are offered on-site at our office and through community partnerships with Saint Louis organizations. Sessions will focus on enhancing both physical and mental wellness to help individuals develop skills in stress management and relaxation techniques, building self-confidence and self-esteem, effective communication, promoting healthy relationships, and setting personal goals. 

Contact us today for more information or complete our enrollment form to start!

COMING SOON! 

Our Resilient Learners School Re-Entry Initiative is our transformative restorative justice program designed to intervene early and prevent further issues for children and adolescents suspended or expelled from school. By focusing on addressing and mitigating the school-to-prison pipeline, we provide a supportive environment where students can learn essential social, emotional, and communication skills necessary to stay in school and thrive in the community.

Program Goals:

• Promote restorative justice: Repair harm and restore relationships.
• Decrease suspensions, early releases, and expulsions: Keep students engaged in education.
• Support vulnerable students: Provide early intervention strategies to prevent escalation, like social skills training, counseling services, and guardian and academic support. 

Impact on the School-to-Prison Pipeline: By focusing on restorative practices and early intervention, our program reduces the need for punitive measures that lead to criminalization, supports at-risk students, and fosters a positive school climate, reducing the overall incidence of behaviors that lead to disciplinary actions.

Keep an out for more details on how this program can help create a positive, lasting change in the lives of our youth. By integrating restorative justice practices, we aim to foster a supportive and inclusive environment in schools, communities, and homes, promoting personal growth and overall well-being.