Overview
Adolescent & Family Behavioral Health Services (AFBHS) was founded by Dr. Valencia Agnew. It is a private group practice with 3 Michigan locations in Grand Rapids, Holland, and Saginaw which provides clients with the support, tools, and structure that will assist them in living life verses just existing. AFBHS provides mental health/counseling services specifically tailored to the needs of individuals, adults, kids, adolescents, families, and couples through the use of evidence-based approaches. The practice is comprised of mental health professionals of diverse ethnicity, backgrounds, education, and training who specialize in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) who provide the highest quality of clinical services and training for clients, the community, and other professionals. We are the only private practice in the area to offer a comprehensive DBT program and the only practice in West Michigan to offer a Family Matters group. We are the only practice in Michigan to have participated in specialized DBT-Children’s training. In addition to our practice specialties, each therapist maintains additional specialties and certifications. Services available in Spanish.
Mission
As a group of dedicated clinicians, we are committed to helping clients identify goals, overcome obstacles, and resolve problems that may be impeding their lives. We aim to help each individual, family, and couple achieve life-enhancing, enduring change. Our Motto is “Compassionate counseling on your journey to emotional wellbeing.”
Values
We consider it a privilege and an honor to help every time a client walks in the door. We do not take your trust lightly as you are allowing us to walk beside you and view the world through your eyes. You ask us to witness your heartaches and joys, struggles and successes, as well as your strengths and weaknesses; our response to you is that it will be done with warmth, validation, and respect while incorporating evidence based approaches. Our commitment, dedication, empathy, and genuine concern is something we take pride in and aspire to maintain in every facet of our practice.
Community Education & Outreach
As a group, we are committed to supporting the community in bringing awareness of suicide and prevention by establishing our own interactive event You Matter: Putting Suicide Prevention Into Action as well as partnering with Community of Hearts, and participating in the West Michigan Foundation Stomp Out Stigma Walk and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of Darkness Walk. We are committed to ending racism as well. Did you know that Black/African American children ages 5-12 are 3 times more likely to take their lives by suicide than White children? The impact of racism on mental health increases stigma and we, therefore believe with education & outreach we can equip the community with tools. In addition, we provide education in schools, doctor’s offices, and community events to help decrease mental health stigma, and to bring increase to self injury awareness, and suicide prevention. Read our Response to Social Injustice.
Meet The Advisory Board
Schedule and Appointment with one of our therapist online or call
the
office (616) 719-0194
In The News
Read what the press has said about Dr. Agnew.
Grand Rapids
Business Journal Article
West Michigan Woman Magazine, March
2016, Where There’s Breath,
There’s Life
Grand Rapids Press interview about newly married
couples managing holidays
Awards
- Winner March 2017 – Grand Rapids Business Journal’s Top Women Owned Businesses, Read article
- Winner February 2018 – Giants Eugene Brown Medical Service Award, Read article
- Winner March 2018 – 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan
- Finalist October 2019 – Grand Rapids Chamber Small Business of the Year Epic Award
- Finalist 2020 - MPWRD Influential Business Awards Nominee
- Winner September 2021 - Brilliance Award Woman of the Year
Forms of Payment
Here you will find the list of insurances I accept. On the
About page of each therapist you will find a list of their accepted
insurances.
Insurances List
Presentation
We have done a variety of presentation for the community, schools, physicians, agencies, webinars, and conferences.
Specialty Training
It’s important to us to continue our education regarding topics
that will keep us knowledgeable and trained in the areas that best
serve you. On the therapist’s about page you will find areas
we specialize in and continue to maintain a high level of
expertise.
To see a detailed
description about specialties, click here.
Professional Affiliations
We have chosen to be affiliated with specialty organizations because they provide research and trainings that are pertinent to our areas of expertise. On the therapist’s About page you can view a list of membership organizations.
Contact Us
Emergencies:
If you are experiencing an
emergency or if your need is of an urgent nature,
please call 911 or go to your local hospital.
Contacting us does not constitute a client therapist relationship
unless you are a regular client who is being treated in this
office.
• Inform the 911 operator that this is a psychiatric emergency.
• Ask for police officers and first responders trained in crisis
intervention or trained to support people and families experiencing
a psychiatric emergency.
US Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
1-888-SUICIDE (1-888-784-2433)
1-877-SUICIDA (1-877-784-2432) (Spanish)
Administrative Hours
(Front Desk Hours)
Monday & Tuesday: 9:00am to 5pm
Wednesday: 9:00am to 5pm
Thursday: 9:00am to 5pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Therapy Hours
While therapists work
these hours, administrative staff does not and phones are not
answered after 5pm or on Friday – Sunday.
Monday – Thursday: 9:00am to 8pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9:00am to 2pm
DBT COACHING:
Current clients are welcome to call the emergency line at all hours for coaching assistance.
EMERGENCIES:
If you are experiencing an emergency or if your need is of an
urgent nature, please call 911 or go to your local hospital.
Contacting us does not constitute a client therapist relationship
unless you are a regular client who is being seen by a therapist in
the office.
- Inform the 911 operator that this is a psychiatric emergency.
- Ask for police officers and first responders trained in crisis intervention or trained to support people and families experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
1-888-SUICIDE (1-888-784-2433)
1-877-SUICIDA (1-877-784-2432) (Spanish)
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
We are available to present at your events, large or small. Please contact us for details and availability.