By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Counseling Connection offers affordable same-day therapy for mental health challenges in Hays, supported by student interns.
Counseling Connection, established in 2021, is a mental health service provider in Hays, 2703 Hall St., Suite 13.
The clinic's owners are three licensed therapists, Deanna Rupp, Tess Bennett, and Michelle Fairbank, who said providing affordable care for those in need is important.
"Depression and anxiety are most common," Fairbank said. "Sometimes you need a little help when you're going through life challenges."
Walk-in sessions are available to anyone from 3 to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays during the Fort Hays State University academic year.
The one-hour sessions are made possible through FHSU's counseling department and clinical social work program, with student interns providing services under supervision.
Fairbank said incorporating interns allows clients to access counseling more quickly, avoiding long wait times.
"The benefit of having interns available is sometimes when somebody asks for help, they want it right then and there," she said. "They wait two weeks to a month, and it's resolved itself."
Counseling Connection provides support for mental health challenges such as grief and loss, work-related stress, family dynamics, divorce and adjusting to a new community.
You can make an appointment with The Counseling Connection at 785-261-0694 or at [email protected].
The $10 fee helps cover basic expenses like utilities and office supplies. Counseling Connection provides waivers funded by the Women Who Lead program for those unable to pay.
Counseling Connection provides telehealth sessions as an alternative for clients in rural areas who find traveling for in-person support challenging.
Fairbamk said the partnership between Counseling Connection and FHSU provides Hays with much-needed services while offering interns experience and training before entering the workforce.
"The interns are studying at the master's level," Fairbank said. "As soon as they graduate, they will apply for the license and become licensed therapists."
Counseling Connection will bring on two graduating interns as full-time therapists in May.
Counseling Connection interns are not employees but earn college credit while supporting individuals without health insurance, those with high deductibles, other students and minors accompanied by a parent.
Fairbank said many mental health clinics now have waiting lists, attributing this trend to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Mental health should be just as important as taking care of our physical health because it's all related and connected," she said.
The clinic is also considering offering group therapy for anxiety and depression if there is sufficient need or interest.
The Counseling Connection is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.
You can visit The Counseling Connection's website here and follow them on Facebook.