Refuge Center offers counseling in time of need
BY KELLY BOURQUE • MAY 4, 2009
Millions of Americans watch the news every day and try to wrap their heads around the global financial crisis. Ultimately, it comes down to this — no matter the reason for the economic climate, the effect it is having on people's lives is large, and it is real.
As a therapist at The Refuge Center for Counseling, I have seen this firsthand.
The Refuge Center is a local nonprofit that offers a variety of counseling services to people regardless of income level. For people who are struggling economically, places for them to turn are few and far between. Whether they are suffering from depression or trying to cope with marital problems or trauma, The Refuge Center offers them an affordable counseling option.
My role at The Refuge Center is to work with children and their families. Many of the families I see come for services about a problem with such urgency that it makes counseling a high priority — even when they think they can't afford it. When I dig deeper, I find that the problem is further complicated by job loss.
In these uncertain economic times, the families I counsel are experiencing an incredible amount of stress. Daddies and mommies are doing things they never wanted to do, such as commuting to other states to take jobs because they can't wait any longer for something local, relying on extended family for temporary loans, or working more hours to keep the family budget afloat. Fast-forward several months, and you see the consequences — marital struggles, behavioral problems in children and overall family tension.
It's not that my clients wouldn't have come in for services eventually; it's just that financial crisis has made matters of mental health more complicated, more urgent and more overt.
In such tenuous economic times, when our clients need us more than ever, The Refuge Center depends upon our many donors, grant monies and fundraisers. Our fee is based on income — $1 per thousand that a family brings in per year (gross) is what we charge per session. The sliding scale starts at $10 an hour and caps at $85 an hour. Our needs are growing as quickly as the number of hurting people who need our services.
One way individuals can support The Refuge Center's efforts and learn more about how to cope with financial stress is by attending its workshop titled "An Evening of Hope: How to Find Calm in the Midst of a Financial Storm." The event will take place on May 5 and will feature renowned author and counselor Dr. Ted Klontz.
I encourage you to join us and help us to continue to spread the message of hope to Tennesseans in need. For more information regarding the workshop and the services that The Refuge Center offers, call 615-771-1155 or visit www.therefugecenter.org.
Kelly Bourque, M.M.F.T., is the Children's Program coordinator and therapist at The Refuge Center for Counseling.
BY KELLY BOURQUE • MAY 4, 2009
Millions of Americans watch the news every day and try to wrap their heads around the global financial crisis. Ultimately, it comes down to this — no matter the reason for the economic climate, the effect it is having on people's lives is large, and it is real.
As a therapist at The Refuge Center for Counseling, I have seen this firsthand.
The Refuge Center is a local nonprofit that offers a variety of counseling services to people regardless of income level. For people who are struggling economically, places for them to turn are few and far between. Whether they are suffering from depression or trying to cope with marital problems or trauma, The Refuge Center offers them an affordable counseling option.
My role at The Refuge Center is to work with children and their families. Many of the families I see come for services about a problem with such urgency that it makes counseling a high priority — even when they think they can't afford it. When I dig deeper, I find that the problem is further complicated by job loss.
In these uncertain economic times, the families I counsel are experiencing an incredible amount of stress. Daddies and mommies are doing things they never wanted to do, such as commuting to other states to take jobs because they can't wait any longer for something local, relying on extended family for temporary loans, or working more hours to keep the family budget afloat. Fast-forward several months, and you see the consequences — marital struggles, behavioral problems in children and overall family tension.
It's not that my clients wouldn't have come in for services eventually; it's just that financial crisis has made matters of mental health more complicated, more urgent and more overt.
In such tenuous economic times, when our clients need us more than ever, The Refuge Center depends upon our many donors, grant monies and fundraisers. Our fee is based on income — $1 per thousand that a family brings in per year (gross) is what we charge per session. The sliding scale starts at $10 an hour and caps at $85 an hour. Our needs are growing as quickly as the number of hurting people who need our services.
One way individuals can support The Refuge Center's efforts and learn more about how to cope with financial stress is by attending its workshop titled "An Evening of Hope: How to Find Calm in the Midst of a Financial Storm." The event will take place on May 5 and will feature renowned author and counselor Dr. Ted Klontz.
I encourage you to join us and help us to continue to spread the message of hope to Tennesseans in need. For more information regarding the workshop and the services that The Refuge Center offers, call 615-771-1155 or visit www.therefugecenter.org.
Kelly Bourque, M.M.F.T., is the Children's Program coordinator and therapist at The Refuge Center for Counseling.
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