My visit to CCWTN counseling services By Luke Waters, CCWTN Intern

 

          This week I visited and learned more about the counseling department of CCWTN, which offers three counseling services.

          One is for people placed in Genesis House, a program of CCWTN that takes in homeless individuals who have a dual diagnosis, meaning they have both a mental illness and a substance abuse issue.  People who come into Genesis House have usually been struggling with a substance abuse for some time, frequently relapsing. The counselors’ job is to treat the patients and help them cope with both their mental illness and their substance abuse.

          Community counseling is the second counseling service at CCWTN. People from the community or those referred from a parish within the diocese can call in and ask for an appointment.  The price is adjusted based on their income and it is far below the market cost.

          Third, the counselors at CCWTN take walk-ins. Frequently, when people come in from the street to come to our food pantry and clothes closet, they want to talk to a counselor and CCWTN’s counselors are available.

          Last week I wrote about how CCWTN provides basic necessities to many in need in the local community through our food pantry and clothes closet. Providing basic necessities is an important function of CCWTN, but the counselors’ jobs are possibly even more important.

          When people are struggling with a mental illness, substance abuse, or other issues, basic necessities are not enough to get them back on track. They need someone to listen to them and help them work through their issues so that they are able to begin providing their own basic necessities.

          The counselors’ jobs here are immensely difficult; handling not only the 30 plus patients at Genesis House, but also the walk-ins and people from the community and parishes. Meeting with the counselors, I could immediately tell that they are committed to helping those that need them most. They want nothing more than to help the people in this community, and they are doing a wonderful job.

          If you would like to have a session with our counselors you are welcome to call Felix Smith at (901) 722-4787 or email him at felix.smith@acc.cdom.org. The areas the counselors cover include marriage; divorce and separation; depression; grief; family conflicts; physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; alcohol or drug use; sexuality; stress and anxiety; and domestic violence.