Mental Health
Services
Short-Term Mental Health Counseling Services offered at Il Centro
The Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Brooklyn, Ltd. (FIAO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing community-based mental health services. Our experienced counselors are committed to helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges by providing a safe, supportive, and confidential environment. These services are offered free of charge to the community, ensuring accessible support for all.
FIAO IL Centro provides free short-term behavioral health services, psychoeducation, and therapeutic group interventions for children, adolescents, adults, caregivers, and neurodivergent individuals. Services are delivered by licensed mental health clinicians and supervised clinical interns within a confidential, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based framework. Our objective is to enhance emotional well-being, adaptive functioning, resilience, and social connectedness through accessible, short-term behavioral health and psychoeducational interventions.
In the event of a mental health emergency, please call 911 immediately or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Availability: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays by appointment. Hours 12 Noon to 7pm.
Learn More About Our Programs
Dance Therapy Instructor, Jeannine Mercurio
Art Therapist, Mary Grace Berberian
Il Centro member Testimonial
Our Clinical Services.
Mental Health Referrals for Therapy
We can help individuals and families find and connect with licensed or qualified mental health providers.
Referral support may include:
- Understanding your needs and preferences
- Identifying therapists or mental health programs
- Finding providers who may accept your insurance or offer affordable options
- Helping you understand how to contact a provider
- Answering questions about beginning therapy
Please note: A referral does not replace a mental health evaluation or treatment and does not guarantee that a specific provider will have availability or be the right fit.
Mental Health Resources
Finding the right support can sometimes feel overwhelming. We help individuals and families identify community resources that may support their emotional well-being and everyday needs.
Resources may include:
- Mental health and wellness programs
- Crisis and non-crisis support
- Community organizations
- Healthcare and social service providers
- Educational materials and support programs
We help you understand your options and connect with resources based on your needs, eligibility, and preferences.
Group Counseling Services
Clinically facilitated psycho-educational and therapeutic groups addressing:
- Anxiety and stress-related symptoms
- Emotional and behavioral regulation
- Social functioning and interpersonal skills
- Grief and adjustment-related concerns
- Coping skill development
- Self-esteem and resilience
- Family and relational stressors
Child & Adolescent Services
Developmentally appropriate therapeutic groups and supportive interventions focused on:
- Emotional and behavioral functioning
- Social-emotional skill development
- Peer interaction and communication
- School-related stressors
- Anxiety management
- Self-regulation and coping skills
Interventions may incorporate structured therapeutic activities, expressive modalities, role-play, and guided psycho-educational discussion.
Support for Neurodivergent Children
We provide resources and support that recognize and respect the different ways children may learn, communicate, process information, experience sensory input, regulate emotions, and interact with the world around them.
Support may include:
- Caregiver education and guidance
- Social-emotional skill building
- Communication supports
- School and community resources
- Referrals to appropriate professionals
- Activities that build on a child’s strengths
Neurodivergence may include Autism, ADHD, learning differences, and other neurological or developmental differences.
Parenting Support & Education
Parenting can come with many questions and challenges. Our parenting support services provide caregivers with practical information, strategies, and encouragement to help them better understand and respond to their children’s needs.
Topics may include:
- Child development
- Positive parenting
- Communication
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Behavior management
- Emotional regulation
- Routines and structure
- Problem-solving
- Strengthening the parent-child relationship
Our goal is to help caregivers feel more confident while building positive, supportive relationships within the family.
THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
Art Therapy
Art therapy uses creative expression to support emotional well-being, communication, self-exploration, coping, and personal growth.
You do not need to be an artist or have artistic experience. The focus is on the process of creative expression—not on creating perfect artwork.
Art therapy is conducted by licensed and intern professionals
Dance & Movement Therapy
Dance and movement therapy uses movement, body awareness, rhythm, and creative expression to support emotional, social, cognitive, and physical well-being.
Activities may include:
- Body-awareness exercises
- Rhythm and music
- Creative movement
- Structured movement activities
No previous dance experience is required. Activities can be adapted to each person’s abilities, comfort level, and needs.
Dance/movement therapy is conducted by a qualified professional
Mental Health programming
appointment scheduling
Appointments are required for all counseling services. To schedule a session, please email [email protected]
Sessions are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
FIAO Services
IMPORTANT INFO
A brief consultation and needs assessment will take place to determine if our services are appropriate.
If FIAO counseling services are not suitable, every effort will be made to provide referrals and resources to meet your needs.