Counseling clinic marks new location

A family counseling center offering a wide selection of supportive services recently moved its headquarters to Columbia County.

//

In July, The Family Counseling Center of the CSRA Inc. moved to 3711 Executive Center Drive off Davis Road in Martinez.

The center was on Ellis Street in Augusta.

The nonprofit agency celebrated its new location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday with its staff and board of directors along with the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.

"We were moving to be more conveniently located to the population center," said Dawn Jett, the center's executive director.

"Most of the people who attend counseling at The Family Counseling Center are from the Columbia County and South Augusta areas, so we thought this would be a better middle point."

The center was established by the United Way in 1981 as a means to provide services and resources for strengthening family relationships, Jett said.

The center offers individual, family and group counseling services for clients dealing with divorces and relationship difficulties, violence; abuse, illness or death of a loved one, children with behavioral problems, depression and anxiety.

The agency also provides professional in-home counseling for the elderly, an adoption program and a women's self-esteem support group.

Jett said the center's five clinicians provide services to many groups of people regardless of their ability to pay.

"We can provide counseling services to those who don't have insurance coverage, to those who can't afford to pay $100 (per) hour," she said.

The new location has drawn new clients and existing ones, Jett said.

"We're still working on getting the word out that we're out here and we're just around the corner," she said.

The center is not just limited to people in crisis, Jett said.

"This is such a valuable service," she said. "You don't need problems to come and get counseling. It's just more of maintaining healthy relationships and open communication with your kids."

Though the center's building is similar in size to its former one, Jett said, the Martinez location is updated and has better parking.

Appointments can be made by calling (706) 722-6512 during business hours, which are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

A limited number of evening appointments also are available.

For more information about the counseling center, visit www.fcccsra.com.