The Asian American Family Services (AAFS), established in 1994 as the Asian American Family Counseling Center, is the only community-based, non-profit agency of its kind in the Southwestern United States. AAFS is dedicated to serving the mental health and social service needs of the diverse multi-ethnic Asian American community in Texas by providing bilingual and culturally appropriate mental health counseling and family support services. Today AAFS conducts myriad interventions and prevention-oriented programs for more than 2,000 families annually.
Our staff speaks more than 16 Asian languages and dialects, including Burmese, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Taiwanese and Toishan), Korean, Hindi, Malay, Nepali, Urdu and Vietnamese.
AAFS’ ability to assess the needs, anticipate change, and readiness to adapt to the changing environment has manifested in its tremendous growth in the last decade. Removing the word “counseling” from its former name was both a subtle and overt way of eliminating the stigma attached to mental health in the Asian community. Family-centered services that encompass the individual need of each member of the family (the children, the parents, and the grandparents) enhance and restore a sense of well-being and balance that is the essence of a traditional Asian family. The holistic approach has been the cornerstone of AAFS’ success.
Culturally and linguistically competent professionals
AAFS’ new 8,100 square feet facility in the heart of Asia-town allows for easier access for services to our constituents, especially for the Burmese and Bhutanese/Nepali refugees.
In addition to psychiatric and counseling/therapy services, AAFS conducts many specialized programs, including those for youth suffering from intergenerational and cultural conflicts, for the elderly struggling to become more self-sufficient, and for the families and couples in building better relationships and parenting skills. A legal consultation clinic, a rent/utilities assistance program and employment training/placement program in conjunction with other family- centered supportive services narrow the gap of needed services for the mostly immigrant Asian American community.
AAFS established two centers to achieve its mission of enhancing the mental health and social well-being of the Asian American community: the Stanley Sue Center for Cultural Competency for professional training and development (internship and practicum) while the A.H.E.A.D. (Asian Health Education Advocacy Development) Center initiate programs for self-sufficiency for the low income and limited English proficient population.
Embracing Hope │Changing Lives │Every Day
Building Stronger Foundation for Healthier Families
Partners and Supporters
Services and programs are made possible by the generosity of various foundations, corporations, individuals, and public entities, including the City of Houston, Houston-Galveston Area Council, Harris County Area Agency on Aging, Harris County System of Hope, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, Houston Endowment, Wells Fargo Foundation, Simmons Foundation, Shell Oil Co. Foundation, McNair Foundation, and JPMorgan Chase Foundation, among many others.
Community Partners and Collaborators:
Hope Clinic
Chinese Community Center
ESCAPE Family Resource Center
VN Teamwork
Boat People SOS
Energy Arts Alliance
Houston Independent School District
Alief Independent School District
St. Cloud Apartments
Stone Mountain Properties
Mandy Kao Foundation
Asian American Bar Association
Burmese American Association of Texas
Willow Falls Apartments
Bellerieve Senior Housing
Rainbow Village
Hamilton Park Apartments
Sun Blossom Mountain Apartments
Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition
Harris County Hospital District
Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Lone Star Legal Aid
Theresa Tien Law Firm
Houston Police Department
Texas Regional Psychiatry-Psychology Minority Mentor Network (TRPMMN)
Houston Community College
University of Houston (Dept of Psychology)
University of Houston (Graduate College of Social Work)
Members of or affiliated with:
Care for Elders
Asian Seniors Coalition
Houston Asian American Health Collaborative
Network of Behavioral Health Providers
Gateway to Care
Houston Healthy Marriage Coalition
Houston Asian Community Crime Advisory Board