the problem

Did you know that 2/3 of people in America have experienced at least one source of childhood adversity? Of those, 1 in 11 have experienced up to 6 different types of childhood adversity. Childhood adversity is linked to adult mental health issues, relationship issues, addiction, and medical issues and is now considered the #1 determinant of the health and well-being of our nation (Felitti, 2004). It also impacts one’s view of God.

We believe that God loves people and wants to have a relationship with each and every one of us. But the enemies plan is for people to wound people, creating adversity, and these wounds grow into behavioral health issues such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and addiction. These wounds, and the issues they create, distort people’s view of God and block their path to a relationship with Him. We focus on healing the wound of adversity, therefore resolving the issues that have grown out of it. We use professional counseling to prepare the way and clear the path for people to hear the Holy Spirit calling to them so that they have a chance to choose a relationship with God. We are impacting not only the present by easing people’s emotional pain, but also eternity by partnering with God to clear the path as He draws them to Himself.

ELCCC provides multiple services.

We employ professional counselors who specialize in working with people of all ages and believe in the integration of Biblical principles with current psychological research. We see children as young as three years old and have no top age limit.

We offer:

• Individual, marriage, family, and group counseling, with a focus on trauma-informed care.

• State approved mandated substance abuse evaluations for DUI and other offenses, ASAM Level 1 substance abuse outpatient treatment for DUI and other substance use issues.

• Insurance subsidized counseling, as well as reduced-cost and even free counseling services.

• Free or low-cost classes in our office and in local churches that focus on informing people about the impact of trauma in their life and the opportunities for healing.

• Training, supervision, and internships to train newly educated counselors in the integration of Biblical theology with the science of psychology and a trauma specific model, Strategic Trauma and Abuse Recovery©.

• Training for professional counselors, addiction counselors, marriage and family counselors, social workers, and pastoral counselors.

As our communities grow, we must to continue to grow!

We have grown from serving 75 clients per week in 2010 to serving 250 people per week in 2018. We currently have two locations, impacting people’s lives in more than nine counties; including Henry, Clayton, Butts, Spalding, Fayette, Fulton, Newton, Rockdale, and Walton. We have grown from one professional counselor and four lay-counselors in 2007 to a total of 18 counselors; 12 fully licensed counselors, 2 associate licensed counselors under supervision, and 4 student counselors preparing for licensure; give away up to $150,000 a year in free or low-cost behavioral health care; provided free practicums and internships to 15 developing professional counselors in the past 10 years; and offer Telemental Health treatment for clients who contact us from out of the area.

Our plan

The population of Henry County alone is predicted to double over the next 15 years. At peak times NOW we have a waiting list for counselors on insurance panels, sometimes 1-2 months out. To meet these needs we have leased the entire building we are currently housed in. However, we will outgrow it within 12-18 months.

1. We plan to purchase the building we are in, reducing our overhead and allowing us to put more money into programming. Cost: $600,000

2. We plan to either add on where we are, and/or build a second building in a newly developing ministry village to allow for expansion. Cost: $250,000

3. While we are now able to provide some type of treatment for most people who contact us, we want to provide services for any client who contacts us but is not able to use health insurance or may not be able to pay their deductible or co-pays using scholarship funds. This includes Medicare clients, the population of which is growing rapidly and the federal government will not allow professional counselors to be on Medicare panels. Cost: $150,000 annually.

4. We want to develop a walk-in service in our center to provide crisis counseling the same day a client calls. This service requires a part- or full-time counselor who does not maintain a client load and is able to see walk-ins. Pastors, doctors, and other referral sources will be informed that they can send individuals and couples in crisis to our center for same-day treatment. This will be a service supported by donations. Cost: $45,000 annually.

5. We have initiated research on Strategic Trauma and Abuse Recovery©, a spiritually-integrated three-phase model. We plan to move it to “evidence-based” status and introduce it globally as a method of recovery to be used in counseling centers everywhere. Cost: $10,000 to start, more as needed.

ELCCC is making a Difference!

One client recently shared in her church that when she was referred to our center for trauma counseling, she was Muslim. Because of the Christian focus, she decided she wanted to become a Christian but didn’t know how. Her counselor was able to talk to her about Jesus Christ, and connect her with the pastor of the church she was attending that day where she knelt down and accepted Christ. While salvation didn’t fix all her problems on Earth, it gave her the hope to continue in her journey to pursue recovery and restoration. She continues to grow as a person and as a Christian.

Another client recently shared that for the first time she was able to wear a colorful headband and carry a colorful purse. Due to horrific childhood trauma, she had been hiding from people all of her life. Now that she has completed one protocol of Strategic Trauma and Abuse Recovery© and started another, she states that she feels alive and valued for the first time in her life, and brave enough to allow herself to be noticed. While her new consciousness has led her to set boundaries, and that has created some awkwardness in relationships, she no longer wants to be invisible and pursues her God-given gifts by sharing her talent and testimony.

PARTNER WITH US

Be a part of using professional counseling to bring people hope and a future, clearing the path and making way for the Holy Spirit; bringing healing to people who want and need to see God as being for them, and not against them.

GIVE 

Give online at www.ELCCC.org and click “Donate Now”. Register with Smile.Amazon.com and Kroger.com to donate when you shop. Send checks to Rhonda Burchette, 1944 Brannan Rd., McDonough, GA 30253. Be sure to include your address where you would like the tax-deductible receipt sent. Or stop by the office any time.