LifeSpring Counseling Center to open in Fort Wayne
FOR RELEASE: Monday, January 13, 2014
HUNTINGTON, Ind. Huntington University's free counseling clinic, LifeSpring Counseling Center, will open a new office in Fort Wayne near the Parkview Randallia campus. The university has operated the Huntington clinic since 2009 as a way to train graduate counseling students while offering a valuable resource to the community. The expansion to Fort Wayne will allow students taking graduate counseling classes at the Randallia campus to gain real-world experience by working with clients at the clinic.
"I'm excited that we can expand the impact we can have on mental health in the Fort Wayne community," said Dr. Jerry Davis, director of the graduate counseling program.
The Fort Wayne clinic will be located inside Park Center's Administration Building, 909 E. State Blvd. It will offer free individual, family and group counseling for all ages. Appointments will be available from 5-9 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 260-203-2239 to schedule an appointment.
"We are very thankful for the warm welcome that Park Center has given us, and we are excited to offer this clinic in the East State neighborhood so close to the Parkview Randallia campus where our graduate counseling classes are held," said Dr. Ann McPherren, vice president for strategy and graduate/adult programs. "This is a great opportunity for our students to expand their skills while supporting the local community."
The Fort Wayne clinic will operate three counseling rooms where clients will be seen by graduate interns. Each session will be taped and will be under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor employed by the university. This clinic is not affiliated with or the service of Park Center Inc.
The clinic will open its doors Jan. 21.
"When we opened LifeSpring, one of our goals was to respond to the needs of underserved populations," Davis said. "I think this clinic and others like it have made a huge impact on mental health in the state."
In addition to the local clinics, Davis has been instrumental in opening free counseling clinics in both Marion and Indianapolis.
HU first opened graduate and adult programs at the Parkview Randallia campus during the 2012-13 school year. The university offers a master's degree in counseling and a certificate in TESOL/EL as well as bachelor's degrees in nursing, not-for-profit leadership and human resource management. This fall, Huntington also will launch its first doctorate degree in occupational therapy at the Fort Wayne site.
For more information about HU's Fort Wayne programs, visit www.huntington.edu/fortwayne.
