LAFC News:
May is Mental Health month and the Los Alamos Family Council (LAFC) wants you to know, they are here for you.
Since 1949, May has been established as, Mental Health Month, to increase awareness of mental health needs. During this time of social distancing and other efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, mental health needs may be increasing as well.
To help with that, they have increased their counseling staff, and extended their hours of availability to include Fridays, Saturdays, and some evenings.
While social distancing and the change of routines for so many people have been difficult, therapists are working hard to connect with clients in a meaningful and engaging way.
“Our therapists utilize secure video-conferencing software to meet with clients as regularly scheduled,” LAFC Executive Director Jordan Redmond said. “We’re looking forward to seeing our clients in person again, but understand that it may be quite a while before it’s safe and comfortable for everyone to connect in the office setting again.”
Redmond also has passed the one-year mark, in the role of executive director, which has been full of many new things.
“I am most excited about the expansion of our therapy staff – we are now able to offer nearly double the client hours we had available this time a year ago,” Redmond said.
LAFC hated having to refer people on as they were increasing their capacity to meet needs and expanding services. Now, they have the capacity to prevent that from happening again.
“During these stressful times, the Los Alamos Family Council is here to meet the needs of the community, not only for existing clients, but welcoming new clients,” he said. “I am so blessed to have an amazing staff!! The therapists have worked so hard to connect with their clients using the phone and video platforms, and I know how difficult that is in comparison to being face-to-face. “The Youth Activity Center staff have been amazing as well, preparing for the YACs to reopen and finding other creative ways to reach out to all of our member families.”
The Los Alamos Family Council has served the community since 1962 and understands how difficult this time is for everyone. They want everyone to know that the Youth Activity Center staff and the Counseling Center staff will do everything they can to help their members get through this time of transition.
Redmond’s staff members work hard to successfully build the connections between therapist and client. The addition of social distancing, maintaining and building connections with others might be hard, but their therapists are here to help. They accept all Medicaid, Presbyterian and BlueCross BlueShield. Therapists are available appointment times 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.and Saturday.
LAFC works with all clients regardless of their ability to pay. They collaborate with several sources to help cover the costs of treatment.
Those include the Los Alamos County Health Care Assistance Program (HCAP) and an established Financial Hardship Fund to collect donations. Those interested in donating to the Financial Hardship Fund to help cover the cost of treatment, can go to www.lafamilycouncil.org to learn more.
They have openings with therapists for individuals, couples and families. Those seeking counseling for children, will know that they work with children as young as 7. The LAFC therapists also specialize in several different treatment modalities.
