Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The mission of the VCDHH addresses the quality of life of deaf and hard of hearing individuals and the organization provides a spectrum of educational and human services in order to achieve this mission. Mental health services for children, families, and adults are one of the services offered by the VCDHH across the state of Vermont.

The Mental Health Program provides counseling and assessment services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families. Services are provided by master’s and doctoral level clinical staff who are fluent in American Sign Language and have expertise in working with persons who are deaf and hard of hearing. Staff members are familiar with the varying types of communication used by deaf and hard of hearing persons, and the issues they face in their lives. They strive to meet the needs of each individual.

Counseling services for adults and families are provided either at one of the VCDHH offices or at one of the designated mental health agencies in Vermont, depending upon where in Vermont the individual requesting services lives. Counseling for children may take place in the child’s school, if the school is the referring agency, at a designated mental health agency, or at one of VCDHH offices. The services provided by the program include individual counseling, family counseling, and group counseling, and psychological assessment. In certain cases, case management services are available as well.

The VCDHH Mental Health Program can work with community rehabilitation and treatment (CRT) program clients on a fee for service basis in order to assist designated mental health agencies in providing linguistically and culturally appropriate services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Individual and family counseling, case management/service coordination, supported employment, community outreach and support, transportation, and consultation regarding psychiatric services can be provided through fee-for-service agreements.

For more information about the Mental Health Program, call 802-258-9595 (v/tty.)