Family Life Center at St. Mary’s University

The counselors at the Family Life Center are clinicians-in-training, supervised by licensed University faculty.

The counselors are students enrolled in programs within the Department of Counseling and Human Services at St. Mary’s.

All counselors speak English; some speak Spanish. Counseling services are open to the public.


Counseling Services in San Antonio

The counselors at the Family Life Center are trained to provide services to children, adolescents and adults.

General services

  • Low cost counseling
  • Marriage and family counseling
  • Counseling
  • Child counseling
  • Marriage counseling
  • Mental health counseling
  • Couples counseling
  • Psychotherapy
  • Play therapy

For adults

  • Couple relationship problems
  • Premarital counseling
  • Communication skills
  • Divorce recovery
  • Depression
  • Career planning
  • Managing stress
  • Grief

For children and adolescents

  • Parenting challenges
  • Family conflict
  • Behavior problems
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Peer relationships
  • School challenges
  • Attention deficit and hyperactivity

Play Therapy

family life center counselor showing stuffed animal eagle to two children

Play is a natural way for children to learn from and communicate with adults. Research has shown that play is an essential part of child development. Through play, children can learn creativity, self-control, emotional expression and social skills.

There are many different therapeutic treatment modalities for children referred to as play therapy that are utilized by family therapists, social workers, counselors and other mental health professionals.

All of these methods use play as a way of engaging children in the therapeutic process.

Also, because children learn and process experiences through play, play therapy is used to communicate with children and help them with a variety of issues.

You can view an informational video about play therapy on YouTube for more information.


Interested in the Family Life Center?

  • Cost of Services

    In order to accommodate the needs of clients with limited resources, the Family Life Center offers high quality services on a sliding scale based on a client’s household income and personal financial situation. Fees are determined when a client’s first therapy session is scheduled.

  • Hours

    Daytime and evening appointments are available except on university holidays.

    • Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Location

    St. Mary’s Family Life Center
    251 W. Ligustrum
    San Antonio, TX 78228
    View on map


Make an Appointment

exterior shot of the Family Life Center

Schedule an appointment over the phone by calling 210-438-6411, or online by using the form below. Appointments can usually be scheduled within a week.

The Family Life Center will be closed for the holidays on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 1
  • Saturday, Dec. 21, through Sunday, Jan. 5

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