Get Help
Scroll through this page to learn about all the counseling & peer services in Norwalk for youth & families below. We also list the supportive services for Norwalk families dealing with poverty, lack of insurance, child abuse, or drugs.
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Counseling Services & Peer Support for Norwalk Youth & Families
THE SERVICES BELOW ACCEPT MULTIPLE FORMS OF PAYMENT
For resources in neighboring towns, visit The Hub. Find private therapists at Psychology Today.
Al-Anon (currently online)
FREE peer support for those worried about someone with a drinking problem
2 weekly meetings for parents and more than 20 general meetings per week, in English and Spanish. Call Karen at 203-962-5427 or visit https://www.ctalanon.org
Alateen Norwalk (currently online)
FREE peer support group for ages 13-18
For teens affected by someone's drinking or drug use. Support group based on the 12-step model. Currently meets Tuesday nights. Call Peter at 203-856-1614 or get info here (there is also an online chat option).
Catholic Charities (East Ave.)
Mental health counseling for children through adults
Mental health counseling and medication management (individual, family, and group) for all ages; English and Spanish speaking clinicians. Contact (203) 750- 9711 or visit website
Child & Family Guidance-SSTRY Program (Park Street)
Substance use treatment for ages 12-29
Teen substance use treatment available in English & Spanish. Includes family component. Norwalk office: 203-810-4404, main office: 203-394-6529 ext. 3337 or info here
Community Health Center (Day Street)
Behavioral health services child through adult
Mental health & substance use treatment in English and Spanish; other languages served through Language Line. Must be medical client of CHC, which offers medical, dental and behavioral health services for all ages. Call 203-854-9292 or info here
CT Counseling Centers (South Norwalk)
Behavioral health treatment for adults, specialty in opioids
Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and Medication-Assisted Treatment for mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders, in English and Spanish. Men's and women's groups. Call 203-838-6508
CT Renaissance (Byington Place & regional)
Behavioral health for ages 13 through adult, including gaming/gambling
Intensive Outpatient Programs and medication management for teens, as well as family support and services to adults. Substance use, mental health, anger management, problem gaming, problem gambling. Call 203-866-2541 or get info here
Drug User Outreach by MFAP (West Ave.)
Outreach, Narcan, syringe exchange
Support for drug users includes: referrals for counseling and support groups, transportation, safer use practices, abscess/wound cleaning kits, needle exchange, overdose prevention kits, Narcan. Call Erma 203-855-9535 ext. 107.
Family & Children's Agency (Mott Ave, Ben Franklin Sch.)
Psychiatric services for children & teens, and behavioral health for adults
Mental health counseling for teens & families. Intensive In-home Children's & Adolescent Psychiatric Services (IICAPS) program to provide specialized support to youth & families to prevent hospitalization. Call 203-855-8765 or get info here
High Focus Centers (High Street)
Intensive mental health & co-occurring treatment for ages 10 to adult
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for mental health or co-occurring mental health & substance use disorders. Info here or call 800-877-3628
Kids in Crisis (at high schools & regional)
FREE crisis & residential services ages 0-18
Teen Talk crisis counselors are available in Norwalk's high schools. KIC also has emergency shelter for ages 0-18 with crisis support at its Greenwich location. 24/7 hotline for teens or parents: 203-661-1911. More info here
Liberation Programs (Glover Ave. & regional)
Substance use treatment for middle school through adult
Substance use counseling & support services for middle and high school students and families available online or at any Liberation Programs location. Locations near Norwalk include the Glover Street administrative offices, women's program, or Staples High School. Call 855-542-7764 or get info here
Mid-Fairfield Community Care Center (East Ave.)
Mental health services for ages 5-21
Individual, group & family therapy for children & teens for mental health. Outpatient, home, school & community services, as well as enrichment programs. Intensive Outpatient Programs available. Call 203-299-1315 or get info here
NAMI Child & Adolescent Network (currently online)
FREE peer support for parents of youth with behavioral health disorders
NAMI-CAN is a support group for parents and caregivers of children and teens under age 21 with behavioral and emotional issues. Visit namisouthwestct.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (currently online)
FREE peer support groups and training programs for families dealing with mental illness
Free support groups for families/friends of a loved one with mental illness. Free trainings: NAMI Basics is a 6-week course for families of a child with a behavioral health disorder. NAMI Family to Family is a 12-week course providing support and resources to families at any age. namisouthwestct.org
Norwalk Community Health Center (Connecticut Ave.)
Behavioral health services child through adult
Mental health and substance use counseling for individuals and families, in English, Spanish or Creole. Must be client of Norwalk CHC, which offers comprehensive medical, dental and behavioral health services. NCHC does not turn any patient away due to ability to pay. Call Aida Cruz, Intake Coordinator, at 203-899-1770 ext. 1203 or visit webpage.
Positive Directions - The Center for Prevention & Counseling (Rte. 1)
Mental health, substance use, gambling treatment & recovery for ages 12-adult
Individual therapy & psychiatric services, including Medication-Assisted Treatment. SMART Recovery support groups. One-on-one peer support for youth & young adults. Also offer specialty in problem gambling and grief & loss. Haitian Creole speaking counselor. Call 203-227-7644 or get info here
School-Based Health Centers (throughout Norwalk)
FREE behavioral health services for middle & high school students
Free outpatient clinics run by the Human Services Council at both high schools and Nathan Hale, Ponus, and West Rocks middle schools. Mental health services available at all locations. High schools also offer medical services and substance use. Info & school phone numbers here
SMART Recovery Teen Group (Norwalk)
FREE peer support for mental health or substance use, ages 14-18
Support group facilitated by trained young adults, providing peer support and empowering teens to build their own skills. (Starting again soon!) Contact Diamond or get info at tinyurl.com/NorwalkTeenGroups.
SMART Recovery groups (online)
FREE support & skills building for young adults and for family & friends
SMART Recovery teaches tools to lead a healthier life. It can help you with substance use, depression, and problem behaviors. SMART Family & Friends helps families who have a loved one with an addiction and help that person seek treatment. Local groups at Positive Directions; see also https://www.smartrecovery.org/.
St. Vincent's Behavioral Health (Lois Street & region)
Mental health & substance treatment for children through adults
Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) treatment for mental health or substance use available for adolescents at the Norwalk location. Inpatient and detox at Westport location. Call 203-221-8899 or more info here
Triangle Community Center (West Ave.)
FREE programs and support for LGBTQ youth through adults
TCC is Fairfield County's LGBTQ center, offering programs for all ages. Teen Queerspace allows 13 to 17 year olds to meet virtually with their peers in a socially distant way, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4pm-5pm. The Young Adult Space is a drop-in center for 18 to 25 year olds open every Monday through Thursday from 1pm-6pm. Counselling available at Norwalk schools (see our resource guide for schedule) Contact towanna@ctpridecenter.org.
TurningPointCT.org (based locally, statewide)
Online support & resources created by & for youth; 1:1 peer support with Ally
TurningPointCT.org is an online mental wellness resource created by local young people with personal experiences with mental health and addiction to support other teens and young adults throughout CT. Ally, our trained Peer Support Specialist, is available to offer free one-on-one peer support to young people online or in person (info here). To request a young adult speaker or host a podcast with your youth, contact Kailey.
Youth Services Bureau (City Hall)
FREE counseling & peer support for ages 11-18
Counseling & referral for youth with mental health & substance use and their families. Support for families in the PPT (special ed) process and Juvenile Court. Peer Connections program is a free, fun life skills program for 6th-8th graders meeting weekly; info here. Norwalk YSB also runs the Juvenile Review Board. Contact the YSB at 203-854-7785 or get info here
Supportive Services for Norwalk Families
PROGRAMS BELOW ADDRESS POVERTY, LACK OF HEALTH CARE, CHILD ABUSE, HIV/AIDS AND HEPATITIS C
The Alliance for Community Empowerment (Water Street)
Anti-poverty support services
Energy assistance, help with applications and referrals, basic needs, and more. Call (203) 838-8110
Americares Free Clinic (South Main Street)
Free health clinic
Health clinic serving adults ages 18+ who are uninsured and not Medicaid eligible. No immigration documents required. Call 203-899-2493
Children's Connection by HSC (Park Street)
Child abuse cases
Coordination & safe investigation of child abuse allegations. Therapeutic intervention & education. Contact Kari at kpesavento@hscct.org. To report suspected child abuse, call the CareLine: 1-800-842-2288
Community Action Agency of Western CT (Park Street)
Anti-poverty support services
Case management, emergency assistance, energy assistance, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and more. Call (203) 939-9650
Community Resource Hub (City Hall)
Support for Norwalk families
Norwalk's Community Resource Hub connects families with all kinds of resources. Call 203-854-7999 or just walk in to City Hall room 202. English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
Mid-Fairfield AIDS Project (West Ave.)
Health, housing, and hope for HIV+ and marginalized populations
Rapid HIV/Hepatitis C testing, housing for the homeless, medical case management, food security, drug user health + harm reduction, transportation, & oral health, rental support for people with disabilities. Visit www.mfap.org
Person to Person (South Main Street)
Emergency assistance
Emergency assistance with food, rent, clothing & more. Also offer scholarship and campership programs. Call 203 939-1650 or visit www.p2phelps.org