Delaware Guidance Services

Serving since 1953, DGS is Delaware’s largest provider of non-residential behavioral health services for children and families.

We operate offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford, and we are the only statewide not-for-profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO. DGS was honored as a Compassionate Champion for our dedication to serving youth and families using a trauma-informed approach.

Statewide Youth Crisis Response

Crisis Response Services are available 24/7 for children and teens. Our skilled intervention clinicians come to you, wherever, whenever you need it, to provide counseling and support.

Outpatient Counseling Referral

Our clinicians are focused on helping children to heal and learn constructive ways to deal with problems or issues. Be sure to download and submit our latest form.

We’re Here to Support Our Community

Providing a full spectrum of statewide services

DGS’ mission is “to provide quality therapeutic services to children, youth, and their families to increase their social, emotional, and behavioral wellness” and its vision for Delaware is “to have resilient families nurturing children’s well-being.

DGS creates respectful, competent, and culturally aware spaces for youth and families to process the impact of trauma and build resiliency.

Clients have access to outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and school- and community-based services.

Over 93% of DGS clients report improvement following treatment, and therapeutic benefits extend to clients’ siblings, classmates, and peers.

Outpatient Counseling

Outpatient counseling is also called “talk therapy” or just “therapy.” It’s a process of courageous conversations with a trained counselor that can help children, teens, and their parents or guardians in various difficult situations.

Outpatient Counseling in Schools & Community

Our therapists listen, guide, encourage, problem-solve, and advocate with students to improve school attendance, classroom behaviors, and academic performance.

DGS Clinical Team Support & Therapy for Families

Our statewide Outpatient/Therapeutic Support for Families (OP/TSF) program is for children and teens who need more than one counseling session per week to make the necessary changes in their young lives.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Most every parent has experienced a child’s occasional temper tantrum, but when meltdowns, hitting, and shoving begin to make life impossible, it’s time for an intervention.

Trauma Support Services for Educators & Community Organizations

Our community-based services are available to children outside of school, such as Boys and Girls Clubs, and PAL Centers.

24-Hour Community-Based Crisis Response

Our skilled crisis intervention clinicians come to wherever you are, whenever you need it, to provide counseling and support.

Psychiatry Services

The Family-Based Mental Health Services program (FBMHS) at DGS provides care for children with the highest of needs.

Therapeutic Classroom Support

DGS clinicians are also in some special classrooms. These classrooms are for students who aren’t functioning well in a typical school setting.

Our Locations

Our Support Services
New Castle County-Wilmington

1200 N. French Street
Community Education Building 7th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
P: (302) 652-3948

New Castle County-Newark

261 Chapman Road
Suite 102
Newark, DE 19702
P: (302) 455-9333

Kent County

103 Mont Blanc Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904
P: (302) 678-3020

Sussex County-Lewes

31168 Learning Lane
Lewes, DE 19958
P: (302) 645-5338

Sussex County-Seaford

900 Health Services Drive
Seaford, DE 19973
P: (302) 262-3505

Professional Development

Our Professional Development curriculum includes 10 stand-alone training modules grounded in trauma-informed care, building effective relationships, and effective classroom and student management. In one-on-one and group settings, DGS clinicians work directly with teachers and administrators to build skills that promote social-emotional well-being, good citizenship, appreciation of diversity, and resilience among students. Our Professional Development curriculum has been implemented successfully within Delaware school systems, and modules are customizable to each school district and school. Our clinicians also work directly with teachers and administrators to design new training modules to meet the specific needs of student populations.

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Come Join the DGS Family

Delaware Guidance Services (DGS) continues to experience steady growth. The agency is large enough to make an impact in the community, yet not too big to lose a caring work environment where employees can make a difference. With the wide variety of positions and programs, employees have several options to develop their careers.

Our employees tell us DGS is a great place to work. There is opportunity for work-life balance, challenging work, and a supportive and stimulating work environment. Employees have a great opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of children throughout the state of Delaware, and within their careers.

Recent News

Social Media Affecting Your Child’s Mental Health?

Social Media Affecting Your Child’s Mental Health?

U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory about social media’s impact on youth mental health. While social media can provide benefits for some children and youth, there is a growing body of research about potential harms social media use poses.

read more
Pride Month 2023

Pride Month 2023

June is pride month. Celebrate the ones you love by supporting local businesses, non-profits, and community groups that uplift and enrich the lives of LGBTQIA+ people in Delaware!

read more

Help Starts Here.

Schedule or call today.

(302) 652-3948 or use the Outpatient Counseling Referral

We Achieved “The Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission”.

The highest national standards for safety and quality of care and is committed to continually improving patient care.

Don’t Wait Any Longer.

Reach Out Today!

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