Counseling and Psychotherapy Services

The Counseling and Psychotherapy Program is a division of the Community Service Center created to provide low-cost and affordable counseling and psychotherapy based upon income. Therapists are licensed by the Georgia State Board and are dedicated to providing quality services.

The Benefits of Counseling

There are many benefits to counseling including improved relationships with friends and family, better stress management and increased academic and professional success. However, it is important to be aware that counseling is not a "quick fix" and is most effective when individuals are committed and cooperative.

Schedule and Fees

Counseling and Psychotherapy Services are available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM

All fees are determined on a sliding scale based upon income. No insurance providers are accepted.

Generally, counseling sessions last fifty minutes, and every attempt is made to begin and end sessions on time. During the intake appointment, clients will develop a course of action with their counselor, which may include continuing therapy at the Community Service Center or receiving a referral to another counselor. Most counseling sessions occur on a weekly or bi-weekly basis; however, our counselors will work with clients to determine the regularity and number of sessions necessary to adequately address their needs.

Therapeutic Support Groups are available for women and men who have experienced trauma. Please call for schedule and availability.

Common Concerns Leading to Counseling and Psychotherapy Services

There are many concerns that may lead to counseling including:

Family and Couple Relationship Problems
Depression and Anxiety
Post Traumatic Stress
Self-Defeating Behaviors
Personal or Family Crisis
Difficulties making Decisions or Choices
Parental Conflict

Healthy Relationship Project

The Healthy Relationship Project targets pregnant, parenting, or co-parenting adults and adolescent couples residing in Northeast Georgia. This unique program provides healthy relationship skills counseling, parenting education, and linkage to community resources as needed.

The Healthy Relationship Project facilitates an examination of the family's current state of functioning and works to identify an objective picture of individual family strengths and areas of growth to begin to understand current vulnerabilities affecting families in our community. The Healthy Relationship Project also works to increase healthy and functional parenting practices and knowledge within the family unit in order to enhance healthy patterns of communication and improve family interaction for fragile families.

Kinship Care Program

The mission of the Kinship Care Program is to identify families raising grandchildren as well as other relatives and provide them with the tools and resources to successfully address their unique family situations.

Kinship Care Program Services include:

Support from other Kinship Care families
Monthly support meetings and educational programs for adults
Monthly children's activity groups
Social activities
Free counseling and psychotherapy services for the family
Assistance with other community services and supports

Staff

Jack Mallory, L.C.S.W., L.M.F.T., and Clinical Supervisor

has worked with families, couples and children for over thirty five years. For twenty years, he directed the Domestic Crisis Intervention program, a joint project of the Atlanta Police Department and Families First. He has extensive experience working with families in crisis and was named NASW Social Worker of the Year in 1980. He has done numerous workshops on work with families under stress and has done extensive training with police. He is currently an instructor for the court mandated seminar for divorcing parents. Over the last eight years, he has specialized in couples therapy and work with adolescents.

Lisa Clement, M.Ed., L.P.C.,

has been counseling individuals, couples and families as well as facilitating groups for over fifteen years. Lisa has extensive training and experience in trauma resolution, particularly with adult victims of sexual abuse and sexual assault. She has certification in several trauma resolution techniques, including TRT, TIR and EMDR. Lisa is trained in Adventure Based Counseling techniques and is working with multi-family groups using experiential activities. Lisa received her Masters in Education and Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Georgia.

The Counseling and Psychotherapy program receives funding from the Georgia Department of Human Services, City of Gainesville, Hall County and client fees.

To make an appointment or for more information regarding counseling and psychotherapy services, therapeutic groups, Healthy Relationship Project, or the KinCare Program, call 770-503-3330.