We aim to remove the barriers that have historically kept underserved and marginalized populations from seeking and receiving vital mental health care services.
Trauma is the most frequent diagnosis across our clinics. Trauma, when unaddressed, can lead to higher rates of many social ills, including substance abuse, depression, poverty, anxiety, suicide, poor physical health, and even premature death. Further, underserved and low-income individuals face higher rates of mental illness, creating a cycle of deprivation and instability.
Our holistic, trauma-informed approach addresses the full picture of a client’s experience and works to stabilize all areas of their life. By working to alleviate the social and economic circumstances that can prevent people from reaching and maintaining healthy futures, we create pathways for more positive and lasting outcomes. The end result is that clients are able to lead happier, healthier, more self-sufficient lives where hope thrives.
Amanecer’s Approach
Cultural Competency
All Amanecer staff are trained in cultural competency. This gives us the ability to understand and respect values, attitudes, beliefs, and mores that differ across cultures, and to consider and respond approporiately to the differences in implementing and executing health programs and goals. 85% of staff are Spanish-speaking.
Accessibility
Accessibility is critical to creating lasting and positive outcomes for those in treatment. To reach those for whom accessibility has previously been a barrier to care, we provide services in our two community-based offices, at 16 LAUSD Schools, at 7 co-location agencies, and in clients’ homes, and out in other community settings.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-Informed Care places an emphasis on the whole person, taking into account past trauma(s) and the resulting coping mechanisms when attempting to understand behaviors and treat the patient. We have been a Trauma-Informed agency since 2017.
Holistic Care Plans
The social ills our clients face can exacerbate existing mental illnesses or create new ones. Care plans are delevoped based on the full picture of a client’s life and utilize Case Management services to improve their social, educational, intellectual, physical, and financial wellness in addition to their mental wellness.
Multi-Generational Services
We are one of a few community organizations that provide services to both adults and children under one roof, making us more accessible and convenient for families. This allows us to cross-refer relatives of clients to the clinic that best fits their needs.
Evidence-Based Practices
Evidence-Based Practices are highly effective methods of treatment that allow for outcome measures to be achieved in a shorter amount of time than traditional therapy methods. This results in clients having to spend less time in treatment.
For ages 0 to 21: Amanecer offers a full range of compassionate, culturally competent mental health services for children ages zero to twenty-one. Our cutting-edge individual, group, and family behavioral health care addresses a wide range of childhood behavioral and emotional challenges, traumas, and case management needs.
Incorporating both individual and family strengths promotes a holistic planning process that supports children where they are – be it at school, in the community, in their homes, or at our agency sites.
For ages 18+: Amanecer offers a full range of compassionate, culturally competent mental health services to transition age youth (TAY), ages 18-26, and adults from 26-60+. Each client is assigned a treatment team that includes a therapist, case manager, and psychiatrist/nurse practitioner when necessary.
Therapists collaborate with each client to create a personalized treatment plan to help reduce symptoms, improve strong support systems, achieve productive daily routines, and develop healthier coping skills.
Case managers connect clients with social resources, such as safe housing, vocational training, employment, education, etc. to help stabilize their life outside of therapy.
Amanecer’s domestic violence program, The First Step Forward, offers individual, family and group therapy, intensive case management, parenting and life skills training, and access to employment, education and job-training resources to individuals who have been traumatized by abuse in the home.
We help victims acquire the skills, self-esteem, and confidence they need to build a life that is self-sufficient and abuse-free. Our goal is to transform victims into survivors.
The Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) provides assertive outreach, clinical case management, therapy, psychological testing, psychiatric care, and medication management to children and adults who have been the victims of crime, including individuals in DCFS and the justice system.
The multidisciplinary treatment team strives to help members of our community who have suffered from trauma, violence, and loss. We are dedicated to support healing of both the physical and emotional wounds.
