The African American Family Services (AAFS) works with people in need that are affected by mental illness and addiction, giving them the resources needed to foster hope, empowerment, and wellness. They work with individuals, families and communities taking a holistic approach and providing culturally-specific chemical and mental health services that impact family preservation and promote community-based change and wellness.

AAFS is a nonprofit organization that provides outpatient chemical dependency treatment to adults, adolescents, and clients with children, and clients with mental health disorders. At AAFS, they realize that every person is different therefor treatment is designed to meet the unique needs of each client.

A Holistic Approach which is a wellness-based method is taken at the African American Family Services for clients recovering from chemical addiction. Treatment services promote physical, psychological, social and spiritual health, wellness and growth.

Programs of treatment include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Twelve Step Philosophy, Person Centered Therapy and Harm Reduction.

Assessment-Evaluation

A comprehensive interview with an addictions counselor is the first step taken at AAFS. After full assessments are done clients are referred to chemical health services that best fits their specific needs for treatment.

To restore wellness with their clients the following is utilized:

1. Motivational Interviewing
2. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (E.M.D.R.) which is used for Post-Traumatic Stress and Compulsive Disorders
3. Dialectic Behavior Therapy (D.B.T)
4. Hypnosis
5. Traditional Group and Individual Therapy

AAFS Adult Outpatient Treatment

This outpatient treatment program helps people understand the causes of chemical dependency and work to restore wellness within self, family, and community. AAFS employs culturally responsive, evidence based models, and uses industry best practices grounded in African American culture.

Co-Occurring Disorders

AAFS offers screening to determine if the client has a co-occurring disorder like bipolar disorder, anxiety or depression. Clients who also suffer from a co-occurring mental health illness receive the therapies needed to achieve holistic healing and wellness.

Continuing Care

AAFS understands how critical it is to their client’s long term recovery to have ongoing support once they’re out of chemical dependency treatment and transitioning back into their community. Their Continuing Care Services include Transition Lecture Series, Relapse Prevention for African Americans, and Support Groups.

Mental Health Services at AAFS

Counselors and facilitators help clients identify their source of unrest and offer stability and wellness through culturally responsive and holistic mental health services. AAFS services address mental health concerns like depression, trauma, family violence, grief and loss, parenting skills and many other issues.

Individual and Family Counseling for adults and adolescents is provided by licensed mental health therapists at AAFS. Individual and family counseling is provided by appointment or walk-in when available.

African American Family Services in Minnesota has a Hope for Healing Center that’s licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. They provide group, couples, family and individual therapy through their innovative tier programming. Their clients receive health assessments, psychiatric evaluations and diagnoses that are then followed by regular therapy appointments and medication consultation as needed.

Therapeutic approach to treatment includes Gestalt, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Comprehensive fitness programming, Team building, self-esteem building, and confidence building courses.

Founded in 1975, AAFS and is now the Twin Cities preeminent holistic behavioral health and wellness service provider for the African American community. Their mission is to help the African American individual, family and community to reach a greater state of well-being through the delivery of community-based, culturally specific chemical health, mental health, and family preservation services.