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.

Before guiding our work, they were just kids with big hearts, big ideas, and maybe a few piggy banks and color-coded fol...
03/14/2026

Before guiding our work, they were just kids with big hearts, big ideas, and maybe a few piggy banks and color-coded folders. 🐖💰✨🗂️

Meet the executive team behind the work we do every day for children and families. 💚

Your voice matters. 💬Join us for Community Voices, a focus group hosted by The Guidance Center’s Family Resource Center ...
03/10/2026

Your voice matters. 💬

Join us for Community Voices, a focus group hosted by The Guidance Center’s Family Resource Center in partnership with CSULB social work students. Together, we’ll discuss community needs and ideas that can help shape future programs and resources.

✨ Participant incentives:
• The first 10 participants each day will receive a $10 gift card
• All participants will be entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card at the end of each session

Light refreshments will be provided for all parents, caregivers, and community members in attendance.

📅English Session: Tuesday, March 17
⏰4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
🔗 Register: bit.ly/CommunityVoicesFocusGroup
📍 1301 Pine Ave, Long Beach

📅Sesión en Español: Wednesday, March 18
⏰4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
🔗 Registro: bit.ly/Voces-de-la-Comunidad
📍 1301 Pine Ave, Long Beach

At The Guidance Center, we believe community voices help guide meaningful change and strengthen the programs that support our families and neighbors. We hope to see you there. 💚

Step into an evening of vintage glamour as we celebrate 80 Years of Impact at Sunset Sip. ✨📅 Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 6:0...
03/07/2026

Step into an evening of vintage glamour as we celebrate 80 Years of Impact at Sunset Sip. ✨

📅 Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 6:00 PM–10:00 PM
📍 Hotel Maya, Long Beach | 700 Queensway Drive

Join us for a night of timeless celebration featuring:

Unlimited Wine Tastings | Delectable Four-Course Dinner | Live & Silent Auction | Live Music | Inspiring Program & Guest Speakers

We are proud to honor the Children's Benefit League with the Tim Sailor Legacy Award for their investment in children’s mental health and unwavering commitment to the children of Long Beach.

Tickets and sponsorships are now available. Visit bit.ly/sunsetsip26 to secure your spot!

  is here! 🥕🍊Stop by our Family Resource Center today and fill a bag with FREE groceries for your family. This week’s pr...
03/06/2026

is here! 🥕🍊

Stop by our Family Resource Center today and fill a bag with FREE groceries for your family. This week’s produce includes bell peppers, lemons, squash, carrots, oranges, and apples.

🕚 Available today: 11 AM – 12 PM AND 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

📍 1301 Pine Avenue

No RSVP required. Available while supplies last. 💚

March is bringing the fun to our Family Resource Center! 💚Join us for 4 FREE community events this month held at The Gui...
03/04/2026

March is bringing the fun to our Family Resource Center! 💚

Join us for 4 FREE community events this month held at The Guidance Center's Headquarters in Long Beach. | 📍 1301 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813

🎬 3/5 (Thurs) - Shrek Family Movie Night | 4PM-6PM
🍀 3/14 (Sat) - Lucky Day Family Craft Celebration | 11AM-1PM
🧠 3/19 (Thurs) - Managing Stress & Well-being | 4PM-6PM
☕ 3/28 (Sat) - Cafecito de Bienestar | 11AM-1PM

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

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!

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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