Evidence-Based Mental Health Care for Children, Teens & Young Adults

It’s about access…

Welcome to CCAMH, the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Our children are suffering and need timely solutions. That is why CCAMH is dedicated to expanding access to quality, evidence-based youth mental health care as quickly as possible.

We’re glad you’re here

Whether you’re a parent or caregiver looking for support for your child, a clinician seeking training or supervision in evidence-based youth mental health care, or a teen looking for support or ways to support your friends, we’re glad you’re here. Take a look around and learn about The Treatment Center, Parent Center, Teen Center, and First Gen Center. We currently provide in-person care for youth and their families in Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties, with plans to create Centers throughout California. If you’re out of the area, contact us about virtual support options. You’re not alone.

Treatment Center

Not all mental health treatments are equal. Some are backed by science; others are not. Scientifically based treatments are called evidence-based treatments. They are considered best practice and preferred approaches by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association.

The CCAMH Treatment Center specializes in evidence-based youth mental health care. We currently offer in-person treatment to youth in San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties with plans to expand to other communities very soon. We also offer virtual treatment if it’s more accessible for you and your family.

Parent Center

Caring for a child or teen struggling with their mental health is a terrifying and isolating experience. Finding treatment is frustrating, waitlists are long, and accessing treatment that addresses your child’s condition can feel impossible.

At the Parent Center, you can find training and resources to help you support your child before, during, and after treatment. You can talk with a youth mental health expert in monthly Parent Drop-In Sessions, attend in-person or virtual support groups, and build listening and support skills by getting trained and certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Teen Center

The CCAMH Teen Advisory Board is a group of youth experts - the real experts when it comes to youth mental health. As a Teen Advisory Board member, you can share your perspective and make recommendations to the Center's Board of Directors about how to address the youth mental health crisis. You can work with other high school students to create peer-to-peer surveys and share the perspectives of thousands of teens. The Teen Advisory Board is a great way to actively engage in promoting mental health and providing support to your friends and classmates.

First Gen Teen Center

Teens from first generation immigrant families (First Gens) are among the most vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.

The First Gen Center is a transformative initiative intended to equip and empower groups of First Gen teenagers to take on pivotal roles as program leaders, peer mentors, and Youth Participatory Action Researchers (YPAR). Through comprehensive training, these teen leaders can develop skills and confidence to offer support and mentorship to First Gen peers. Operating under the guidance of adult mentors, the First Gen Center is cultivating a nurturing and empowering environment where First Gen teens can thrive and find the guidance they need.

Our children are facing an unprecedented crisis. Sadly, according to the CDC, only about 20% of children with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders receive care from a specialized mental health care provider.

Please join us in bringing high-quality, evidence-based mental health care to children and teens as quickly as possible.

Let’s keep in touch.

If you have questions, need support, want to learn more, or would like to donate to help expand access to quality, evidence-based youth mental health care, please reach out to us. We look forward to connecting with you.

We are currently accepting applications for the following positions:

  1. MFT, MSW, PsyD, PhD interns and clinicians interested in being trained in evidence-based youth mental health practice.

  2. PhD or PsyD clinical supervisors, bilingual Spanish strongly encouraged.

  3. Teen Advisory Board members, especially teens from first generation immigrant families.

  4. Volunteers - the heart of our mission.