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Pam is 16 years old. She, like other teenage girls, was struggling with the normal questions and problems of being an adolescent until last fall. Pam's mother died - suddenly, traumatically, and violently. Her grief was overwhelming. Pam let her father and friends know that she was depressed, anguished and was questioning her own continued existence. They worried that Pam might take her own life. Pam's schoolwork went from excellent to failing. Her friends were ignored or pushed away. Pam's love of sports held no joy for her and she often left school to wander around town by herself. She was looking for a reason to go on.

For three months, Pam had no answers. Her father, concerned for Pam's welfare, brought her to LCFS of Michigan for counseling. Pam worked with a therapist to examine her feelings regarding her life, the loss of her mother, and her revelation of abuse as a young child. Pam worked very hard at constructing a life that she could be proud of and happy in. She was able to make some decisions not only about her future but also concerning what was important to her.

Today Pam has renewed her involvement in school activities. She has received a scholarship for college. She is seeing an improved relationship with her father and is basking in his love and pride of her -he is quick to point out that Pam will be the first in their family to go on to college. Pam now has the confidence in herself to meet her challenges head-on. She has also discovered that she is not to blame for past tragedies, nor does she have to go on living in their shadows. 

• Counseling

• As our world grows more complex, the compassionate care of a Master's degree trained professional counselor may be helpful in sorting through and making sense of these challenges. LCFS counselors are available to provide outpatient services in offices in Bay City; Grand Rapids; Oak Park; and Petoskey.   While the counseling staff has expertise in a variety of areas, examples of concerns clients have been assisted in coping more effectively with include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Relationship problems
  • Parenting
  • Family concerns
  • Abuse or Mental Trauma (emotional, physical, sexual, verbal)
  • Grief and loss
  • Work/school concerns
  • Addiction
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Self-Esteem
  • Stress Management
  • Play Therapy for children
  • And many others

   

  Counseling service costs are handled in a number of ways:

  • Insurance plans may cover LCFS clinicians, and our staff will assist clients in determining this.  While awaiting insurance certification, clients are expected to pay their sliding fee scale rate for any counseling sessions, unless prohibited by the insurance company.
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  • For clients with a church background, LCFS has worked with the church on subsidizing an agreed upon number of counseling sessions. 
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  • An employer may refer an employee for counseling, and LCFS staff has served the function of an Employee Assistance Program.  
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  • LCFS has established a moderate sliding fee scale based on income.
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  • Through generous donors, LCFS has a limited amount of client assistance funding available for those with no other means of payment.