Asian Counseling and Referral Service

Beautiful community facility offering counseling, case management, food bank, job seeking, pharmacy, cafeteria, and a variety of classes including fitness, dancing, and art (and probably more services I'm not aware of). Serving all populations, not just Asian. Remarkable art throughout the facility. Main parking lot and secondary lot across the street.

ACRS is an amazing for me. Since reviews of this place seem to be varied, I will try to write as objectively as possible. What I find remarkable about this organization is its compassion. The lecturers understand that not all users are fluent in English, so they provide interpreters when needed, follow up when there is no response, and are very supportive in helping users improve their lives. When I first visited, I was impressed by how the staff greeted me and smiled whenever our eyes met. One reason for the mixed reviews might be their approach, which can be both positive and negative, and the fact that they provide services to people with mental health challenges. If you are depressed, their friendly and frequent approach might feel like psychological pressure. Also, the staff's diverse cultural backgrounds might result in someone smiling less or communicating more directly, which could leave a negative impression. I suggest starting by exploring opportunities here. If you don't find it suits you, look for other options. Especially if you have mental health issues, finding the right professionals and community that make you feel comfortable requires trial. I hope this review helps potential users.

I really recommend this place. Really nice, friendly, polite and helpful people. The lady who in charge of find job for people (Tani) she helps me to get my job and I really thankful for that and also my counselor (Hai) He also helpful. Front desk people are so nice and friendly.This place is really good and they welcomed everyone. Thank you so much guys! 😊🙏

Deserves zero stars. Avoid this place. The ACRS callously, cruelly discharged me I had been a client there seeing a really good counselor until she quit the agency for 11 months. However the former counselor did not consult with me about who would be replacing her once she left. My case was assigned to some counselor who lacked: compassion, patience, caring, and overall skills. She was like talking to a tree trunk. The replacement counselor set an appointment however she was 3 1/2 hours late. It was a phone counseling session. All she said was that 'it was an emergency' and she offered little to no other explanation. When I tried to get answers that was when I was told 'You've been discharged'. What kind of agency just kicks vulnerable people to the curb? Tried to file a grievance which I mailed to them. Later on I was told that they never received the grievance. Sure. This place is terrible I don't blame the former therapist for leaving. I sure do miss her b/c I developed a bond that took 11 MONTHS! ACRS was wrong in how they treated me because I sure didn't deserve that. Avoid, avoid this place unless you want your fragile mental health broken into a million pieces because most people in Seattle are fragile with LOTS of the substance abuse. Good thing I have a strong mind. These clowns really need to sit down to go over their procedures. & policies. It's horrible.

I have been taking my citizenship online classes with Mr. Louis from the Citizenship/Immigration Services department. I am so thankful with programs like this because it helps a lot of immigrant people like me who needs to study and take the Naturalization test. I passed my interview and I want to say thank you Mr. Louis and to this program for such an amazing and helpful program and free. If you need to take these types of classes, go to your nearest library they can provide you more information about this program. Thank you! God bless you all!

Dr. Chung hsu hsu and Dr. Raishan Lee are both amazing!!! They both helped me immensely to work through my mental issues. Very nice caring patient. Using the medicine they prescribed i have improved my mood a lot and much better! 100% would recommend

This is a terrible facility. I had an appointment scheduled, and they failed to call me to notify me that the intake person was out sick. The receptionist said I could be seen in an hour, so I waited around only to be told I couldn't be seen. Furthermore, the intensive outpatient program is a joke. The material consists of PowerPoint presentations on different classes of drugs and their effects. The instructors show up late and the claseses never begin on time. To make things worse, there are numerous translators in the classes, so there are several different languages being spoken all at once. Needless to say, this is very distracting. Bottom line: don't waste your time here unless you absolutely have to.

ACRS is such a crucial resource for the Asian and Pacific Islander community. I've been involved in the agency for decades and in recent years my mom has been a client. I'm so grateful for my mom's ACRS support team which includes an Elderly Case Manager, Mental Health Case Manager, and Club Bamboo (senior program, my mom loves the weekly watercolor classes). Thank you ACRS!

I am so appreciative a non profit like ACRS exists. I've referred so many people to ACRS who needed assistance and who were in crisis. Over the years, I've attended events and socials in which ACRS staff were present and I got to see them in community. The agencies hard work speaks volumes to the impact and social change that staff do. I love the food bank referrals, clinical resources, and translation services. I want to nominate ACRS for non profit of the year. I'm not sure if it's too late and I'll nominate them next year also. Seattle is lucky to have such a wonderful agency like this. Also, shout out to Dillon who is an amazing change agent.

I was on ACRS behavioral health program since 2012. For that program I was assigned a caseworker chauh, and was provided a housing for living. In the past 10 years everything seemed normal. Then on October 2022 my caseworker starts to shave her head. It's a warning sign. She kept telling my mental health counselors that she's tired to grow her hair. I was worried. In US, when a woman shaves her head, it's a sign of mental break and a sign of loss of self. Should I take a precaution to request ACRS to re-assign a new caseworker? I thought I should wait and see. She knows I'm a 70-year-old low-income elderly man. Whatever she will be, I hope she will spare me. Then 6 week later, when I check my medical account, I was shocked to see her accused me missing rent payment for months. It's too late to request a new caseworker because the damage has already been done to my medical account. At first, I was confused, I thought it was the new guy, the guy who just joined the housing unit in mid-2022 is the culprit. But then after careful take a closer look all the accusations posted on my medical account, I realize it's her, my caseworker, the woman I put all my trust on her in the past 10 year, she is the one who starts everything. The accusation that I miss rent payment for month is her idea. She's the mastermind behind all the false accusations posted all over my medical account. We have a very good relationship in the past 10 years, professionally. Then suddenly she starts to accuse me missing rent payment. Why all her accusations on me related to housing topic and involved my housing activities ? Are there anything anyone in housing unit that she was so interested to the point driving her to betray a client of 10 years? Does she have any crush on anyone in housing unit? Not only she accuses me miss rent payment for months but she also accuses I don't pay rent on time every month, I don't follow housing rule & I need "housing management". Her languages are no doubt try to please someone in housing unit. She knows in her heart all her accusations on me are lies. When a woman's looking for romance, she no longer cares "lies" or "not lies". She knows I live in Beacon House since 2016 without any problems. She works in ACRS more than 10 years, she knows ACRS any protocols, any tricks. She knows I always treat her with all my respects. She knows I'm under her care since 2012 but instead she intentionally let everything happen against me. I know she became mentally sick from the day she first shaved her head, so sick to understand missing rent payments for months in housing project is thing can't be done: it's impossible, because even missing couple day rent, every tenant knows right away they will be kicked out of their housing by the next month. So, if you try to accuse someone in housing project missing rent payment "for months", it looks like you want to show everybody your stupidity. Since then, she modified all her accusations and re-posted them on my medical account, but whatever she did, I already saved all her original accusations and all original notes & text posted on my medical account prior to January 2023 to my PC. She can fool ACRS & her colleagues but she cannot fool me. ACRS should re-evaluate her from the beginning, from the day she first shaved her head to ensure her mentality still stable, to see if she still fits in her job, but ACRS didn't do it. Nobody cares about this woman because everybody knows whatever she is, everybody still get paid any way. ACRS is funded entirely by WA King County: it's taxpayers money. Whatever they treat a client, taxpayers still pay them. That's how ACRS system works. Read all the notes & texts posted by all the so-called AAC title people on my medical account: their languages are idiots, bananas, lies, the dumbest of ACRS healthcare clowns. Clowns level 1, clowns level 2, AAC clowns or the FKN idiot LMHC clown: they are the backbone of ACRS healthcare circus house. 30 years ago, when ACRS still located in Chinatown district, ACRS was the house of compassion, of caring. Confidential code was strictly enforced to insure any client's safety & privacy. ACRS at that time was one of the best among Seattle social agencies. 30 years later when ACRS moves to new location at King way, everything goes downhill, ACRS today is the house of the Jokers. Confidential code is a thing of the past. You don't see a caseworker accuses her client of 10 year, who is a 70-year-old low-income elderly man, to miss rent payment for months anywhere else. It only happens in ACRS system. Who dares to criticize ACRS? Nobody dares. Why? nobody wants to be labeled hatred, racism, bigotry or schizophrenia. That's how ACRS system operates today. I was a client of ACRS on-and-off since 1985. In the last 2 years, I was treated like a criminal. I presently take refuge in a homeless shelter. Every time I think of ACRS, I feel sick to my stomach. It's time to shut ACRS down to save taxpayers' money

Unsure what happened to my other review. I've already written about the cafeteria staff. Which was poor. But I used to be a client at Asian Counseling Referral Service. I went there in Jan 2019-Dec 2019. May I offer a suggestion PLEASE: When one's assigned therapist leaves after so many months once we've gotten to know each other? Would you all please have something in place to help with the loss of a therapist! Please! I strongly feel ACRS that none of you were very sensitive when it came to myself & my therapist Nidhi Berry. She left the agency in or around Feb 2020. Nothing was done to ease the separation I felt. Why? I'll never know b/c you did nothing. Nidhi did call to tell me that she was leaving the agency but that was it. My case was turned over to a woman whose name was Joy? Oh God, she was dry! But I still wanted to give her a try but it took much effort as I was still grieving the separation loss of Nidhi leaving. The big unprofessional deal breaker? COVID 19 y'all sure messed things up leaving me in the lurch! Why? Joy & I had an appt by phone on an assigned date & time. Joy called me 3 hours late! I was waiting for her call at my apt. When Joy did decide to call me it was to say she had: 'An emergency' Joy offered no other explanation for me. Now, I'm in dire mental health needs. I had zero support, no family, because my mother disowned me. No siblings just nothing I'm all on my own + I'm a Black woman who faces hate & discrimination from all sides White, Black, everyone! Yes even other non whites hate me. I deal with this on top of everything else. So, as a seasoned 'adult' who has been around + has much insight you all there really need to regroup your policies & offer better support so that this sort of thing never happens again. I remembered once on an appt I saw SPD probably due to lack of taking care of your clients. And, to put the cherry on the Sunday? Not long after Joy decided to call me 3 hrs late I tried to file a complaint! Guess what happened? I was discharged by ACRS! One of the staff a woman whose name I never got had told me herself. Great way to treat the vulnerable! Again no one did anything. If I remember, I even reached out to the director himself: Gary something. Again? nothing. Don't come here! I got lucky getting Nidhi she was good, however when she left she didn't want me as a client which sucked. Go on her website she is in private practice now. I have rights. This is the truth.

My family practitioner in UW clinic introduced this facility to us in June 2022. It's first time for me but not for my mom since she came here before when she immigrated to the US in 2013. I have some words that I want to share with yelp community. They enrolled me into Asian counseling behavioral health program and I was assigned to a Mandarin speaking case manager named Cheryl who has been a helpful role during my treatment. Also my psychiatrist Dr. Veena is an amazing caregiver. I would recommend both of them to my Chinese friends or relatives who need help mentally. Shout out to the volunteer group as well for their hardworking efforts and translations. The campus is very organized with a colorful diversity, by the way they accept medicaid so I save the co-payment. Only thing ACRS need to improve is the ease of online scheduling, I and my parents find it somewhat difficult doing so. Besides that, wonderful team members and caretakers.

Front desk folks are very friendly, and helpful. There are bilingual services as well. They take medicare insurance. When calling them on the phone, they are helpful, and it is easy to get to a real person to talk to. Translator service and in-take person both are very friendly and productive, from what I've heard. Inside decoration is pretty and creative.

This is a great referral service center! The service center relies on many wonderful volunteers. A very well established service center for various Asian American and immigrant groups. They also offer classes and workshops that focus on community support. I met with its volunteer coordinator for a class project and he seems to be a really nice guy. The building is new and clean. It is easily accesible by bus or sound transit train. They have been hosting for the annual Walk For Rice event for over many years. Here is a linke with more details: http://walkforrice.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1012916

ACRS is one of the most amazing organizations I've ever worked with. Their passion and dedication to uplifting the Asian community is nothing short of inspiring. My parents were immigrants to this country just a short 20 or so years ago, and if they had access to an organization like ACRS it would have made their transition so much easier. I am so proud that this organization is thriving in our community. Please consider donating, and volunteering! You can do both on the ACRS website.

This is a beautiful location. I love going here for my appointments, rather I'm taking a class or some kind of workshop. It's an exciting place full of life and colors. Beautiful designs all over the place. They provide many services for the community. Closer to the light rail, not far from downtown. They have wifi for guest, just ask the front desk for the password. Parking is not that great so leave early to find a good parking on those people that are leaving. If they don't have the service you needed, they can refer you somewhere else. Bathrooms are always clean whenever I'm there.

Once my regular therapist quit & I was reassigned to another less than sensitive therapist that's were the problem began. The other therapist wasn't very warm, and I should have been reassigned to another therapist the choice should have been UP TO ME!. Then during Covid the agency was overwhelmed acting like chickens with their heads cut off so the counselor who was supposed to call me, calls me 3 1/2 hours late from the time that she is supposed to call and gives no good excuse nor an apology. They really don't like African Americans. I've heard that they don't. And no sensitivity whatsoever. But I sure do hear a lot of whining & excuses. I kind of miss going there however, but with N.B. gone what is the point! I'm pretty mad that this agency didn't do all that they could to keep N.B. because I LOST A VERY GOOD THERAPIST! I blame them for not having their darn act together . I miss you Nidhi! Also I have a question why didn't you all there HELP ME with the readjustment once Nidhi left? Did you NOT think that I would be NOT be impacted negatively by her leaving? What's wrong with you all over there? Clearly, the client sure doesn't come first at your agency. Sheesh! reminds me of growing up in the abusive parents home more of the same old NEGLECT & INDIFFERENCE! I'll miss the artwork thou.

This agency really needs better problem solving skills. This place lacks that, and they will discharge you in a heartbeat! As they did to me. Your not provided with a fair chance everything is one sided. Steer clear of this place they're totally biased.

I volunteer here two days a week as an ESL and Digital Literacy Tutor. The staff are friendly and amazing at what they do. The people who go to ACRS are awesome and so inviting and open to their culture. I need to add that even though it's an "Asian" counseling and referral service NOT ALL of the patients and students who go here are. Some of the students I tutor with are Somalian or Eritrean. It's a very diverse campus that offers lots of help! They are also in need of volunteers as well! John Malcomson is in charge of it and he's so chill with everything. There are also internship offers as well!!

This is an absolutely horrible place. They've called and sent me text messages (robo texts), yet I have NEVER used their services, called them or visited their website or even knew this place existed until they continually harassed me with unwanted text messages in the past month. I asked to be removed from their contact list 3 times, blocked the number which contacted me, yet I continue to receive messages from a number I haven't blocked. Be wary if you actually intend to use their services. Spamming me does not endear me to your services.

Great organization that really wants to help and make a difference in the Asian community. They have some really great programs there that are offered for free.

My wife and I volunteer by taking food and dropping off at their food bank each week. They hav a wonderful staff to work with and have a good footprint in the International District. They are always looking for volunteers, so please lend out a helping hand if your time permits. Great organization.