Hope Realized

Therapeutic Services Agency, Inc (TSA) opened on August 1, 1978. The 70’s were at the end of the second progressive era with new laws and policies emphasizing mental health and intervention services for children and youth. The importance of family counseling as an intervention was being recognized. TSA’s first program was, and still is unique in Minnesota; a foster home based intensive mental health treatment program with an emphasis on family involvement. Judges, probation officers and social workers in Pine, Chisago, Kanabec and Isanti County as well as local schools all had a hand in the design of the program. In fact, TSA offered the first family counseling in Pine County and was the first out of home care program in Minnesota to require weekly family counseling. 

Pine County commissioners recognized the cost savings and increased effectiveness in serving children locally by cutting down on costly social worker trips and payment to facilities far removed from children’s families. A welcomed benefit was the creation of local jobs, a half dozen in 1978 and now up to 115+ jobs in recent years.  In addition to the creation of local jobs, TSA has in its 35+ years, brought over 100 million dollars into the local east central economy. Another innovation TSA offered in 1978 was the first outcome measurement of social services.

In 1981, TSA in cooperation with Isanti County, began the area’s first in-home counseling program, with Chisago County following suit shortly thereafter. Since that time, TSA has partnered with several counties to design and begin new initiatives and programs while continuing to work with children, youth and families. Since 2000, TSA has expanded to incorporate outpatient counseling for adults, youth, children and families; has developed a Day Treatment Program for children and adolescents in North Branch and Pine City; and has incorporated strong collaboration with area schools to provide School Based Services. Additional specialized services include: family assessments, deaf and hard of hearing services, early childhood mental health services, and mobile crisis services in collaboration with Canvas Health. TSA trains and supports staff specializing in adoption, early childhood, trauma focused work, and an array of specialized therapy interventions and evidence based practices.

In addition to three locations in Pine City, TSA has satellite offices in Coon Rapids, Cambridge, North Branch and Lindstrom. Staff working out of those offices serve clients in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Pine, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Washington and Dakota counties.