Substance Use Counseling
Creating a safe space for youth and young adults struggling with drugs or alcohol to take charge of their recovery and maintain sobriety.
Our team provides three levels of outpatient substance use treatment to meet the needs of youth (ages 12-24) in our care.
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- Outpatient consists of weekly individualized therapeutic services less than 6 hours a week.
- Intensive Outpatient provides a structured experience for youth who require frequent counseling to maintain abstinence and success in the community. It consists of 6 hours or more of therapeutic services a week.
- Day Treatment provides a safe, supportive, and structured environment to help youth ages 12-18 overcome barriers in their continued recovery.
- Inpatient/residential services are provided at our Adolescent Residential Center for Help (ARCH).
All outpatient levels utilize individual, group, and family therapy, as well as family support groups and case management through our peer support specialists.
VOA Alaska offers counseling statewide by phone or a secure Microsoft Teams videoconference. In-person sessions are conducted at our midtown Anchorage office2
Ready to Get Started with
Behavioral Health Services?
We know reaching out for help can be difficult. That’s why the team at VOA Alaska is committed to making entry into our services as easy as possible for you.
VOA Alaska’s integrated behavioral health team provides children, teens, and young adults with care and support for a range of needs, including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, drug and alcohol use, anger management, life skills development, and severe mental health or substance use disorders.
Our integrated services provide wrap-around care for youth and their families.
VOA Alaska’s array of behavioral health services creates a continuum of care, allowing our team to meet the specific needs of each child and teen that walks through our door while remaining flexible in providing the right level of care at the right time.
Entering our services for substance use counseling? Once a teen graduates from treatment, they can continue their mental health counseling with the same team.
Receiving services for depression or anxiety? A young adult in our services can also learn life skills, like how to apply for a job or education. We are here for youth every step of the way.
VOA Alaska’s priority admission criteria includes those who are pregnant, injecting substances, pregnant and injecting substances, involved in Office of Children Services or Division of Juvenile Justice or youth experiencing homelessness.
VOA Alaska’s treatment programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF) and are approved by the State of Alaska’s Division of Behavioral Health.
Not sure if VOA Alaska is right for you and your family?
Our free Behavioral Health Consultations allow you to connect with one of our clinicians, discuss the needs and goals of your child or family, and learn more about our services. Call (907) 279-9640 to get started today or complete a brief online form.
How do I know if my child is using drugs or alcohol and may need counseling?
The key thing to look out for is changes in your child’s behavior that are out of the ordinary. These can include increased isolation, increased irritability or defiance, poor sleep habits, exhibiting sneaky behavior (like they’re trying to hide something), or have any physical signs you know be associated with being drunk or high (dilated pupils, acting intoxicated, blood shot eyes, etc).
Medicaid and most insurance are accepted and billed, and no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. We offer cash discount and sliding fee scale options as needed to assist with payment. At intake, our billing specialist will work with your family to develop a fee schedule and payment plan that best meets your needs. Click here to view fees by service.
Our team knows that reaching out for help can be challenging. That’s why we make entering our services as easy as possible. Click here to get started today.
Just want to learn more first? Behavioral Health Consultations allow you to connect with one of our clinicians, talk about needs and goals, and learn more about our services.
Rapid Connections is also available daily. Find hope and encouragement though a conversation with a Peer Support Specialist. Learn from their unique perspectives on how they overcame their own challenges related to mental health or substance misuse.
An assessment is like an interview. It’s an opportunity for the clinician to get know a client and learn their goals, hopes, and needs. This will allow the team to ensure they are placed in the level of care that best fits their needs.
Our free Behavioral Health Consultations allow you to connect with one of our clinicians, talk about needs and goals, and learn more about our services.
Rapid Connections is also available daily. Find hope and encouragement though a conversation with a Peer Support Specialist. Learn from their unique perspectives on how they overcame their own challenges related to mental health or substance misuse.
Call (907) 279-9640 to get started today.
You can find more detailed descriptions of our Behavioral Health programs, our Code of Ethics and Conduct, and descriptions of our privacy practices in our Behavioral Health Programs Handbook.
Reviewing the handbook is required for all clients when registering for services.
Yes! Many of our mental health clinicians across our behavioral health programs are trained in EMDR therapy, including outpatient mental health, residential treatment, and school-based services.
For those enrolled in VOA Alaska’s care, EMDR is one component of an individualized, strength-based treatment plan—and it can be done both in-person and via telehealth for youth anywhere in Alaska.
As a specialized service, VOA Alaska also provides EMDR therapy to individuals who visit an outside therapist. Our clinical team will work together with the therapist and family to identify barriers and ensure the highest level of care.
Read the Latest from Our Behavioral Health Programs
Alaska’s young people are suffering. What are we doing to save them?
In an ADN opinion article, CEO Julia Luey highlights the potential for expanding services for young Alaskans.
Connecting to Culture: Empowering Youth with Culturally Grounded Activities
With support from Alaska Children's Trust, youth in VOA's programs learned how to bead bracelets and go ice fishing.
Talking with teens about underage drinking – Hometown, Alaska
Aaron Osterback, Coalition Coordinator, joined two teens on Alaska Public Media to talk about underage drinking.
From Crisis to Hope: Alaska’s youth mental health crisis and solutions to improve the overall system of care
A "Lunch and Learn" presentation in the Alaska State Capitol for legislators and their staff.
Alaska’s young people are suffering. What are we doing to save them?
In an ADN opinion article, CEO Julia Luey highlights the potential for expanding services for young Alaskans.
Connecting to Culture: Empowering Youth with Culturally Grounded Activities
With support from Alaska Children's Trust, youth in VOA's programs learned how to bead bracelets and go ice fishing.
Talking with teens about underage drinking – Hometown, Alaska
Aaron Osterback, Coalition Coordinator, joined two teens on Alaska Public Media to talk about underage drinking.
From Crisis to Hope: Alaska’s youth mental health crisis and solutions to improve the overall system of care
A "Lunch and Learn" presentation in the Alaska State Capitol for legislators and their staff.