Professional Counseling Program

This program provides individual, marriage, and family counseling by a licensed therapist at two different sites.

The LSS/SC Long Beach/South Bay Professional Counseling Program was started in March 1985.  Counseling is provided at Bethany Lutheran Church (Lakewood-Long Beach) and the LSS/SC Long Beach Center with Lutheran church members and other individuals requesting counseling for a fee based on a sliding scale with a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

Goals of the program include: 1. To provide quality counseling (individual, family, and group) with a licensed counselor for members of area Lutheran Churches and those requesting counseling for a fee based on a sliding scale; 2. To provide referral and follow-up for area Pastors and church members when the need presented at intake requires more specialized treatment; 3. To provide consultation with area Pastors; 4. To provide educational programs and seminars for area churches, groups, and Pastors.

Currently, counseling is being offered through the LSS/SC Long Beach/South Bay Area Professional Counseling Program for those experiencing grief and loss from a broad range of issues including loss of spouse from death or divorce; loss of sibling, parent, child, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or any relative or friend; loss of job or employment; loss of health and/or disability; and any other loss or expected loss and change in life situation.

Increasingly with the volume and wide range of requests for counseling we experience, referrals are made to two respected agencies in Long Beach and Los Angeles County: ChildNet Youth and Family Services (formerly Long Beach Youth Center) and INTERCOMMUNITY Counseling Center (formerly Interchurch Counseling Center).  Both organizations have been providing services for many years in the community, and we have worked successfully with their staff members.  Most important, our experience has been that these two organizations share our values of dignity and respect for clients and approach their work in a caring and compassionate manner.

INTERCOMMUNITY Counseling Center (ICC) offers individual, couple/marital, and family therapy sessions.  ICC is sensitive to each client’s financial needs, and a sliding scale is used.  Individuals requesting may ask for a Christian therapist.  The staff is composed of Masters and Doctoral level students, as well as licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and a Psychologist.  The Center also offers a variety of workshops such as Active Parenting, Anger Management for men, and others.

ChildNet is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe homes, education and counseling to vulnerable children and families.  The Behavioral Health Services (BHS) program at ChildNet was launched in 1999 to meet the mental health needs of underserved and at-risk youth and families in the greater Long Beach community.  BHS provides an array of community-based services including in-home individual and family therapy, group therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication support when needed.

We are in the process of forming a working partnership with ChildNet Youth and Family Services.  ChildNet will provide professional counseling for our low-income families with children and also workshops at the LSS/SC Long Beach Center.  Clients they refer to us will have access to our full range of services including emergency assistance and programs providing long-term work such as our Hispanic Outreach Project and Preparation for Employment Program.

Ruth Foelber

562-599-1321

1611 Pine Avenue

Long Beach, CA 90813

Mon-Thu 8:00 am - 4:00 pm