By Jonathan R. Kelley, DMin, LCMHC, Executive Director
While it may not be immediately obvious, Southport Presbyterian members are important partners in the ministry of counseling. Through the mission support of SPC, church members contribute to each therapy session conducted. The church also makes space available for a satellite counseling office. The main office is on Wrightsville Avenue in Wilmington.

The Center addresses a broad range of mental health issues. These include such things as depression, life adjustment disorders, grief/loss, marital/divorce, parenting, cancer/chronic illness. Substance abuse may also be a complicating factor in many cases. Sometimes clients are not able to put their finger on the specific issues. They simply feel stuck or sense that something is “not right” in their lives. Therapist and client explore together, identify and discover, and work toward resolution.

Presbyterians have proudly sponsored the Community Counseling Center and its work to provide mental wellness for everyone. Its tagline is “hope and healing for all.”

Members of Presbyterian churches established the Center 40 years ago as an independent non-profit organization. They wanted to extend the churches’ ministry of care into the community. As the field of psychotherapy developed, the Center also evolved thanks to gifted, highly-trained, licensed therapists.

A hallmark of the Center is welcoming everyone regardless of their financial circumstances. No one is denied services due to inability to pay. Last year the Center conducted 2,781 therapy sessions. The subsidized amount of counseling services amounted to $135,547. That’s the difference between the full cost of those sessions and what was collected.

The Center’s four therapists work with individuals, couples and families. Two are Licensed Clinical Social Workers. One is a Licensed Psychologist, and one is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Two of the four are also ordained Presbyterian ministers. Another is a Presbyterian Ruling Elder

Check out the Center’s website at: wantcounseling.com and “Like” Community Counseling Center on Facebook. Call the Center at 910-452-7370.