Our Services » Family Support Services

Individual and Family Counseling

We provide child and family outpatient counseling through our Friends to Youth program. Friends to Youth has been a part of the Missoula community since December 1975. In 2011, we joined Youth Homes’ Dan Fox Family Care Program to continue the same quality services for youth and families. We see children and young people, from toddler up to age 21, and their families.  Of those we have served roughly 30% are under age 11, 20% are middle school age, 40% high school age, and 10% are young adults or parents doing individual work.  We typically see a large number of children from low-income families (80% or more) who would otherwise experience no or only limited access to professional counseling. Due to the expertise of our therapists, we have clinical specialties sought by families in need.  We frequently see children in families emerging from domestic violence, children impacted by conflicts between divorcing or divorced parents, and children who have experienced early life trauma or loss. The specific needs that bring children and parents in to see our therapists may manifest as behavior problems, difficulty managing depression, anxiety, panic, or other overwhelming feelings, poor school performance, or escalating conflict in the family and school.

Clinical Specialties

  • Specialization with very young children using both individual therapy and dyadic developmental psychotherapy between young children and their parents.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat mood disorders in children and adolescents.
  • Positive parenting plans for children with ADD/ADHD.
  • Trauma and complex trauma treatment for children of all ages using Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
  • Adolescent and Young Adult treatment for a range of issues from family and peer conflicts to behavioral problems to serious emotional problems.
  • Family Therapy to address patterns of conflict that have developed through a confusion of roles, exceptional stress in the family, and multi-generational issues that have not been treated.
  • Circle of Security Parenting Training individually or in a group.
  • Parent Management Training individually or in a group.

Insurance and Fee Reduction

Friends to Youth accepts a variety of payment and insurance sources. We are preferred providers with Healthy Montana Kids (CHIPS), Healthy Montana Kids Plus (Medicaid), Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Montana, Allegiance, and Cigna. Thanks to the generosity of grant makers, we are able to accept fee reduction for families in financial need without insurance.  The fee reduction is determined by Federal Poverty Guidelines but our minimum fee is $25.00 per hourly session.

Counseling helps! “Early diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders increases the likelihood that the teenager can lead a productive adult life.”

About Our Counselors

Faron McWilliams, LCSW

Faron has worked for Youth Homes for over 20 years. He is a licensed clinical social worker and is the clinical supervisor for the Dan Fox Family Care Program. He also sees clients in outpatient therapy. Faron works with children of all ages and their families. …read more.

Erin Williams, LCPC

Erin received a Master’s Degree in Counseling through the Counselor Education Program at the University of Montana in 2003. Erin has worked for the Youth Homes since 1995 and is the Clinical and Program Director. In addition, she has a significant interest and experience in providing therapy for youth and their care givers…read more.

For more information about our Counseling Services contact:

Missoula Area:

Erin Williams, Clinical and Program Director, Dan Fox Family Care Program
515 S. Reserve Street, Suite 5
PO Box 7616
Missoula, MT 59807
Phone: (406) 541-1667
Fax: (406) 543-0356
ewilliams@youthhomesmt.org