Executive Director's Greeting

It's easier to build a child than it is to repair an adult!

It has always been my belief that in order to help a child, there should be a strong emphasis on family involvement. While it is a child that comes in with a problem, it is usually the family situation which may be contributing to the child's issues.

South Shore Child Guidance Center offers individual, family, multi-family, psycho-educational and various group therapy options. Every child and family situation is unique. Treatment options, therefore, are geared to the specific needs of the child and family.

Many children come from families with alcohol and other drug abuse problems. Our goal is to help children deal with the alcohol or drug addiction in the family, and to prevent this child from following down a similar destructive path.

So often today families are faced with significant challenges, South Shore Child Guidance Center's programs and services are here to help.

About Dr. Mary Lou Jones

Embarking on her tenth year as Executive Director at South Shore Child Guidance Center, Dr. Jones originally started with the agency in 1984 when she developed and directed the C.A.R.E. Center (Children's Addiction Resource & Education Center). This program was the first program funded by NY State focusing on children of addicts.

After 14 years, she stepped up to the well-deserved position of Executive Director which she still approaches each and every day with energy, enthusiasm and tremendous compassion.

Dr. Jones has worked both in the addiction and mental health fields for over 25 years. She currently sits on the Health And Welfare Council Board of Long Island, and she is Chair of the Coalition on Voluntary Mental Health Agencies in Nassau County, and also the President of the Agency Executive Council Board of the United Way of Long Island. In addition, Dr. Jones has also taught on the adjunct staffs of Stony Brook and Adelphi Universities.

Published in numerous papers and journals, Dr. Jones is a well sought after expert in the field of mental health with a specialty interest in children and families. Read some of these articles here.