St. Edward's to offer low-cost mental health care to the Austin community
Austin American-StatesmanJan 17, 2020
Looking for low-cost mental health care?
On Wednesday, the school's counseling department will open the
Practical experience is the hallmark of many top-notch counseling programs, said
"There is, I would say, a dramatic need in the
Some agencies have a 400 or 500-person wait list, said
"That really prohibits care from being given to them when it's an acute time in their lives," said
Maye is one of the four students at St. Edward's who will be seeing eight clients one day a week, for a starting total of 32 clients (the center may take on more after the initial opening). Individuals are asked to pay
"Our worldview is that the person or the couple or the family, they are unique in the world and we have to meet them where they are," McHenry said. "So, when we get clients who are wanting to come in for services, we will look at each one individually and figure out the best possible plan to support them."
Some might be wary of the fact that students will be the ones leading the counseling session, but Taylor said there's no need to be worried. In addition to the rigorous academic hoops they've had to jump through, several have already worked as interns at other agencies. All will be monitored by supervisors via confidential video recording.
"This is my second career, and I have life experience. I have work experience, and a lot of our classmates are in the same boat," Scheyd said. "So you may be getting somebody who's referred to as a student intern, but you're also oftentimes getting a person who has done some living."
Taylor said the faculty will watch the students for skill and theory use, but "want to make sure that ethical behavior is happening as well." If a supervisor feels they can help what they see happening on the screen, they'll call the student therapist on the phone during the session and provide guidance.
"Sixty percent of the factors that contribute to change in the client is in relationships," she said. "So we want to make sure our students are building therapeutic relationships that are effective with the client."
The center is located on the ground floor of East Hall. The space used to be a medical clinic for student residents, but has since been converted to include private rooms with love seats, arm chairs, cozy lighting and bookshelves. The center also includes a waiting area and toy room where counseling students can work with kids.
For the students, the center not only is a chance to spread their counseling wings, but also an opportunity to give back to the community.
"I think we have a lot of privilege," said
Scheyd said it "feels like a real honor" to be one of the center's inaugural group of students.
"Because it's something that can last, and obviously there's a great need for no- and low-cost mental health services, there's no end to that need. I'm really glad that the university is taking that on as a priority," Scheyd said.
Potential patients can learn more by emailing counseling@stedwards.edu or calling the center at 512-428-1242. The program is open to anyone in the greater
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