Getting to Know Cumberland Counseling By Kristen Eleveld
It’s no secret that many communities are filled with people seeking help and advice to address mental health struggles in their lives. But finding affordable, accessible care can be a struggle of its own, and while many churches and other organizations stand ready and willing to help, it can still be difficult to find the specialized resources people so desperately need. Now, thanks to Cumberland Counseling Centers, many of those in Gwinnett and its surrounding cities are able to receive care from experts whose passion is to love the community around them. Founded by Alexandra Thompson, LCSW, Cumberland Counseling Centers was created to fill a need that Alexandra saw in her church and in her community. She volunteered to counsel people seeking mental health services at her church. While the staff at Cumberland Community Church was working to provide as many people as possible with counseling, they were in need of some additional expertise to address specialized issues, which Alexandra was more than willing to provide. As Alexandra began counseling more and more people, she decided to make her services official and created Cumberland Counseling Centers. “We feel that this is something every church should be doing!” said Alexandra, speaking about how so many people in the community already turn to houses of worship for help and advice. “We want to love our community and partner with faith-based organizations and churches to become a place where someone can go for therapy.” Headquartered in Smyrna, Cumberland Counseling Centers has additional offices in Lawrenceville and Buckhead and partners with a church in Marietta to offer counseling services there. Alexandra and her team work hard to be intentional about creating an environment that allows their clients to feel safe and heard. The staff at Cumberland Counseling, which now has eight therapists plus an intake coordinator, recognizes the diversity of the people they counsel and have worked to reflect that diversity in their own staff. “We want to provide intimate relationships and safety with each of our clients,” said Alexandra. “Many of our team members have experienced struggles unique to different situations and have a heart
Rainbow Village Continued from page 21 talent by hosting on-campus events for Rainbow Village families, including Spring Break Bash, Back to School Events, sprucing up the campus with holiday decorations, providing the opportunity for resident kids to attend a ballet, and so much more. Rainbow Village is not the only beneficiary of Subaru of Gwinnett’s love and support PAGE 22
to reach those groups who may not otherwise find the counseling they need.” In addition to creating a safe space for anyone to receive mental health services, Alexandra and her team have also made it a priority to provide services at a cost that is truly affordable for a wide range of the surrounding community. They offer income-based scholarships on a sliding scale, allowing people from a wide range of financial backgrounds to get the care they need. “We will financially support those in need whether they are with us in counseling for six months or two and a half years,” said Alexandra. “We don’t want finances to be the reason a person ends their therapy journey.” Cumberland Counseling Centers is excited to be taking on new patients and offering as much help as they can to tackle financial obstacles. In 2022, the center gave away $45,000 in scholarships. Alexandra estimates that number will be doubled for 2023. Partnership with churches and non-profit organizations within the community is not just limited to special events. Alexandra and her team are always open to creating new partnership with local churches or other faith-based organizations who are passionate about being a leader in community healthcare. And for those churches or other organizations that are interested in having mental health services for their attendees, they only have to reach out and ask. Cumberland Counseling Centers has created a system that allows churches to use their existing model to build on what the church already has. Alexandra’s vision is to link arms with these churches and help them develop mental health service offerings that complement each individual church or organization. “We want to supplement what churches are already doing—we don’t want to take over,” said Alexandra. “We just want to help them serve their community and handle the details so they can focus on loving those around them.” If you need mental health services or want to find a way to bring those services to more people, Cumberland Counseling Centers is ready and waiting. Check out their website for more information on how you can get involved in helping Gwinnett become a leader in mental health resources. More information at cumberlandcounselingcenters.org or (404) 884-8247
of the community. They also support Planned Pethood, The Elachee Nature Center, Hopkins Elementary School, and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Jennifer Kessler, General Manager, and Julie Adams, Warranty Admin and Love Promise Champion, accepted this award. While the event has come and gone for another year, opportunities to support Rainbow Village and the families it serves exist year-round. More information at www.RainbowVillage.org.
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