The Family Counseling Center has a whole new service to offer in its new location.
The Center, which is part of Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services Inc., moved to a new location closer to the community of Ruston on September 28. In addition to the move, the Center now offers divorce mediation and other counseling services.
According to FCC Director Jessica Williams, the service is “fairly new” to the community.
“I think a traditional thing that most people skip is to contact a lawyer and go through this process, so just having that opportunity and having the service as an extra option for people that we think will be of benefit, especially in the long run. run, “Williams said.
Chad Frederick, a licensed professional advisor to the FCC, is one of two therapists at the Center now certified by the Louisiana State Bar Association for Divorce Mediation. Frederick said the new service is intended to help resolve high-conflict divorces, and the process can be done with or without lawyers involved.
“This process actually helps people learn to communicate better with each other and resolve some of these conflicts without having to go to court or to third parties,” Frederick said. “So they really have the opportunity not only to solve current problems, but also to develop skills so that they can handle problems in the future.”
Frederick said previous interactions regarding the divorce were outside of the actual divorce process. He said couples usually had a hard time but sometimes left services if things didn’t go well. Then Frederick said clients who choose to return to services sometimes continue to struggle with conflict.
“The ability to intervene or work with them in a way that helps prevent some of the negative impacts that a high-conflict divorce would have on the family unit or on these individuals is an exciting prospect,” says Frédéric.
Community members can access FCC Divorce Mediation Services at their new location. Prior to the impact of COVID-19, FCC operated as part of the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home campus. However, when the children’s home needed a place for children and staff with COVID to quarantine, FCC switched to online operations and worked from home. In January, Williams said FCC was able to secure a lease for their new building, which would allow them to return to office counseling sessions.
“We were happy that they had a place on our campus to have these children and staff safe, but we were also very excited about the opportunity to move into the community, because that’s what we do. let’s serve – community members, ”said Williams. .
FAC is now located at 206 E. Reynolds Dr., Suite A1 in Ruston. For those looking to start services, Williams said to call FCC. Williams said there are several payment options available depending on a customer’s financial situation; the Center offers a subsidy through United Way, a sliding scale of fees and accepts insurance.
More information about FCC can be found online at lumcfs.org/family-counseling.
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