BREAKING: The newly opened Children’s Way Counseling Center in Kingston, NY, is already making a significant impact, serving 86 children and families just months after its soft launch. The center officially celebrated its grand opening on January 15, 2026, and is poised to address the urgent need for youth mental health services in Ulster County.
Located at 368 Broadway, Suite 301, within the Ulster County Center for Well-Being, Children’s Way is the first outpatient counseling center of its kind in the region. It offers critical services including early assessments, crisis intervention, psychiatric care, and counseling for children and adolescents. The center is administered by the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger emphasized the center’s importance, stating, “This is exactly the kind of resource our community needs — one that meets children where they are, supports families, and provides the care they need.” The center extends its hours until 8 p.m. four days a week, a vital feature for working parents seeking mental health support for their children.
Since its launch, Children’s Way has already welcomed clients, including children as young as 5 years old. The center offers individual and family psychotherapy, medication management, and crisis intervention, ensuring comprehensive support for young clients and their families. Metzger noted the center’s mission to create a sustainable mental health option that is easily accessible to all families in the area.
Attended by nearly 50 supporters, including state Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha and representatives from U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan’s office, the grand opening highlights community commitment to mental health resources. “When we first envisioned the Center for Well-Being, I spoke about creating a place where people of all ages could access the mental health care they need,” Metzger added.
The center is strategically aligned with local school-based mental health providers and the Ulster County Crisis Support Center, which also recently opened at the same location. This collaboration aims to provide comprehensive care to address the growing youth mental health crisis. The Crisis Support Center offers immediate support for all ages facing mental health or substance use crises, operating 24/7 for urgent needs.
For families seeking evaluation or services, Children’s Way is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.. More information is available on their website or by calling (845) 386-0083.
As Ulster County continues to prioritize mental health services, the establishment of the Children’s Way Counseling Center marks a significant step forward in addressing the needs of families and children in the community. This development is not just timely; it is a beacon of hope for those seeking support in challenging times.
