The Guidance Center

The Guidance Center Since 1946, The Guidance Center has been a beacon and provider of hope for our community’s most disadvantaged children and families.

The Guidance Center provides comprehensive mental health treatment to our community's most disadvantaged children and their families struggling with mental illness and abuse, leading them toward a positive and productive future. Our diverse team of dedicated, compassionate individuals annually leads more than 3,000 children and families struggling with mental health issues and abuse toward positive and productive futures through comprehensive mental health treatment. Headquartered in Long Beach, The Guidance Center serves the communities of Compton, Greater Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, San Pedro, and Avalon on Catalina Island. We envision a community where all children have the help they need to be healthy and happy so we partner with local organizations to ensure that no child is without support – wherever they may be. You can find members of our team out in the community meeting with children on school campuses within the Long Beach, Los Angeles, Paramount and Lynwood Unified School Districts, collaborating with staff on patient care plans at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, and counseling families at Century Villages at Cabrillo. As a founding member, The Guidance Center plays a key leadership role in the Long Beach Safety Net Collaborative. We’re also active members of the Long Beach Human Trafficking Task Force. If you know a child who is depressed, has experienced trauma or struggling with mental health in any way, call us for support: 565-595-1159.

Join us for an all-star Family Movie Night. 🌟This time, we’ll be showing Shrek! Stop by The Guidance Center’s Family Res...
02/27/2026

Join us for an all-star Family Movie Night. 🌟

This time, we’ll be showing Shrek! Stop by The Guidance Center’s Family Resource Center for a free movie, pizza, snacks, and a welcoming space to connect. 🎬🍕

📅 Thursday, March 5, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
📍 1301 Pine Ave, Long Beach

All are welcome! No RSVP required. 💚

For questions, please email Julio Perez at jperez1@tgclb.org.

✨ Neurodiversity Affirming Practices in Play Therapy ✨Dr. Kim Vander Dussen, Psy.D., RPT-S, will lead our upcoming train...
02/26/2026

✨ Neurodiversity Affirming Practices in Play Therapy ✨

Dr. Kim Vander Dussen, Psy.D., RPT-S, will lead our upcoming training on integrating neurodiversity-affirming principles into play therapy practice, with special attention to AutPlay Therapy and strengths-based, collaborative approaches.

Participants will leave with practical tools to support regulation, connection, and emotional expression while honoring each child’s unique way of being.

📅Wednesday, March 4, 2026
⏰ 9:00 am to 12:00 pm PST (3 CE's provided)
📍 1301 Pine Avenue | 2nd Floor Training Room, Long Beach
💲 $30 per attendee, free for TGC staff

Register Here: bit.ly/Neurodiversity-Affirming-Play

02/24/2026

Ending the silence around mental health begins in our communities. 💚

At our Compton site, Irving Martinez, LCSW, is helping lead that work through mentorship, advocacy, and trauma-informed care. As a clinical supervisor, he supports both families and clinicians in delivering culturally responsive mental health services.

When mental health is not openly talked about, it calls for access, representation, and care that meets families where they are.

Watch his story and learn more about the work happening in Compton:
🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/XBfFrLgwKyw

🖊️ Blog: https://www.tgclb.org/inside-tgc/meet-irving-martinez-clinical-supervisor-compton/

This Presidents’ Day, we’re reminded about the power of community. 🇺🇸"Progress doesn’t come from a single leader, but fr...
02/16/2026

This Presidents’ Day, we’re reminded about the power of community. 🇺🇸

"Progress doesn’t come from a single leader, but from people who believe in something bigger than themselves." – Barack Obama

At The Guidance Center, we believe in the power of collective care. When we show up for children and families, we build stronger futures together. ❤️

Our offices will be closed in observance of the holiday and will reopen on Tuesday, 2/17 at 8:00 AM.

This Valentine’s Day, we’re reflecting on what love looks like in our community.At The Guidance Center, love is action.❤...
02/14/2026

This Valentine’s Day, we’re reflecting on what love looks like in our community.

At The Guidance Center, love is action.

❤️It’s creating safe spaces for children.
❤️It’s supporting families.
❤️It’s expanding access to mental health care.

We’re grateful for a community rooted in compassion and healing.

02/10/2026

At our Long Beach clinic, Rubi Quezada, LCSW, helps children and families heal from complex trauma with compassion and care. As a Latina clinician, she’s proud to walk alongside Spanish-speaking families and create a space where they feel seen, supported, and safe. 💚

At the heart of Rubi’s work is a belief that mental health care should be accessible to everyone—regardless of background or circumstance.

Hearts, hugs, and handmade fun are coming to our Family Resource Center! 💌Celebrate with us next week and enjoy a fun, h...
02/05/2026

Hearts, hugs, and handmade fun are coming to our Family Resource Center! 💌

Celebrate with us next week and enjoy a fun, hands-on night of Valentine’s Day crafts and family time. 🎨💖

📅 Wednesday, February 11
⏰ 4:00 PM–7:00 PM
📍 Family Resource Center at The Guidance Center | 1301 Pine Avenue

This is a free event and open to the community; no registration is required. All supplies will be provided. We hope to see you there!

02/04/2026

New year, new opportunities to learn and grow! 💚

At The Guidance Center, we offer affordable, APA-approved Continuing Education trainings designed to support professionals working with children and families.

✨ Upcoming CE Trainings ✨
• Psychosis Assessment & Intervention - February 4, 2026
• Neurodiversity-Affirming Play Workshop – March 4, 2026
• Treatment of Eating Disorders – April 1, 2026
• Kinship Care, Adoption & Attachment – May 6, 2026

More trainings (including Clinical Supervision in June!) coming soon.
🔗 Save the dates and keep an eye out for registration links.

February is full of fun, connection, and learning at our Family Resource Center 💕Join us for free community events all m...
02/03/2026

February is full of fun, connection, and learning at our Family Resource Center 💕

Join us for free community events all month long:

💌 Feb 11 – Valentine’s Day Crafts
🍿 Feb 19 – Family Movie Night
📊 Feb 28 – Financial Literacy & Mental Health

All events are free to attend, open to the community, and held at our Family Resource Center in Long Beach! 📍1301 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813

At The Guidance Center, we believe in creating welcoming spaces where families can connect, learn, and thrive together. 💚

Mark your calendars and join us this February!

Our 2025 Adopt-A-Family Tribute Book is live! 📣At The Guidance Center, we believe in the power of showing up for familie...
02/01/2026

Our 2025 Adopt-A-Family Tribute Book is live! 📣

At The Guidance Center, we believe in the power of showing up for families when it matters most. Thank you to everyone who participated this past year and helped bring much-needed care, comfort, and joy to children and families across the communities we serve. 💚

Read the full tribute book to see the impact you helped make:
🔗 tgclb.org/wp-content/uploads/Adopt-A-Family-2025-Digital-Tribute-Book.pdf

Want to learn how to better identify and support psychosis in children? Join clinical psychologist Dr. Francesca Bahn fo...
01/29/2026

Want to learn how to better identify and support psychosis in children?

Join clinical psychologist Dr. Francesca Bahn for this training focused on assessment, early intervention, and evidence-based care.

📅 Wednesday, February 4, 2026

⏰ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (3 CE’s Provided)

📍The Guidance Center, 2nd Floor Training Room | 1301 Pine Avenue Long Beach CA, 90813

💵 $30 to attend; free to TGC staff

Register Here: bit.ly/PsychosisinChildrenTraining

01/26/2026

Isha Bhatt, LPCC, helps children at our Compton site feel safe enough to open up — often through play, creativity, and quiet connection.

She shares how much the community has taught her and why she’s proud to be someone who holds space for healing to begin. 💚

🎥 Watch her story: link in bio


Address

1301 Pine Avenue
Long Beach, CA
90813

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15625951159

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