WHAT IS A FAITH SENSITIVE COUNSELING AGENCY?

Samaritan Counseling Center provides counseling with trained counselors who are mindful of the relationships between mind, body, spirit and community. This counseling invites the healing love and grace of God into the relationship between the counselor and those receiving counseling.

Samaritan counselors are deeply respectful of the beliefs and values of those who come for counseling, and we help persons re-affirm and use their beliefs and values in becoming more hopeful and in finding the strength to make needed changes to resolve painful stresses.

Samaritan Counseling Center practices counseling and psychotherapy in accordance with the highest standards of the national professional organizations of our therapists as well as the accreditation standards of The Samaritan Institute.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

Samaritan Counseling Center has a main location in Athens and auxillary sites in the Madison/Greensboro area, Bethlehem, and Pendergrass.

Our main office is located at 455 North Lumpkin Street in downtown Athens. We are across North Lumpkin Street from the downtown Post Office, half way in the block between West Hancock Avenue and Doughterty Street.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?

Fees for counseling and psychotherapy services are based on a number of factors. Many health insurance companies specify the amount the Center can charge for individual, couple, family, or group sessions and the percentage for which the client is responsible. Some persons are referred by a sponsoring congregation or other referral source that have agreements with the Center for a specified fee.. Many clients elect to self-pay. Our rates are $125 for the initial session and $105 for each session thereafter, unless otherarrangements have been made between the client and his/her therapist.

The Center offers package pricing for some of our specific programs such as the PREPARE/ENRICH program, career counseling, and psychological testing.

WHAT ARE YOUR OFFICE HOURS?

The administrative office is normally open Monday-Friday, 8:30 A.M. through 2:00 A.M. Telephone calls, e-mails and fax messages received during other hours are normally responded to during the next business day.

All counseling is by appointment only. In general, counseling appointments are available the following days and times:

Monday 9:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Tuesday 9:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Wednesday 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Thursday 9:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Friday 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?

The staff of Samaritan Counseling Center represent a diverse group of trained mental health professionals. We currently offer individual services for disturbances of mood, such as depression, anxiety, and grief. Other individuals may request therapy for help in dealing with the stress of returning to school, balancing work and family obligations, healing the wounds of a difficult childhood, or dealing with a current or past abusive relationship or traumatic experience.

Samaritan Counseling Center also offers the services of trained and licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. For example, we offer couples therapy services for those couples experiencing distress, couples who feel complacent and would like to ensure that they continue to grow together (ENRICH program), and couples who have experienced infidelity (emotional, sexual, or virtual). We also offer premarital counseling in the form of the PREPARE program in which couples complete the assessment during the first session and participate in 3 feedback sessions.

In addition, Samaritan Counseling Center provides family therapy services to families experiencing transitions or distress. For example, we offer therapy services to couples with children from previous relationships to help them transition into a blended family. Some families come to Samaritan already in distress related to a family member's behavior, substance abuse, mental illness, or other stressor. Family therapy is not limited to parents and their minor children, Samaritan frequently conducts family therapy with parents and their adult children to resolve ongoing issues, heal old wounds, or help them deal with life transitions such as changes to health status or grief counseling.

Samaritan Counseling Center provides career counseling services to individuals who are either looking to make vertical or lateral moves in their career development or are considering a career change.

ARE SAMARITAN COUNSELING STAFF MEMBERS AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATIONS OR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS?

Absolutely. The staff of Samaritan Counseling Center have expertise in a number of areas. On the home page, under the tab titled Events, you can view our current list of topics by clicking the link to "Speakers and Workshops." Fees for speaking engagements are determined by the length of the program, the amount of special preparation required, and any materials needed for the engagement.