<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600281611037.jpeg" alt="The receptionist at Turning Point Professional Counseling takes a call. The clinic is offering a new walk-in clinic service from 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays." />
 <figcaption>The receptionist at Turning Point Professional Counseling takes a call. The clinic is offering a new walk-in clinic service from 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostTurning Point Professional Counseling Services is trying to improve access to mental health care by offering a walk-in mental health clinic.The clinic is offered 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Cost is $10 per session. You do not have to have insurance to participate in the program.The therapy sessions are offered for adults or teens with parents's permission.&nbsp;Most sessions will be about 30 minutes, said Michelle Fairbank, licensed clinical professional counselor at Turning Point. However, they can be longer if the client needs it.The walk-in clinic tries to offer solution-based therapy to help clients with coping strategies for specific issues, she said."If someone has a really difficult serious issue, they will stay with the client until they feel like the client has reached at least some sense of clarity about their issue or at least has an action plan about what to do about it," Fairbank said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600281840213.jpeg" alt="The Turning Point Office is at 1301 Oak, Hays." />
 <figcaption>The Turning Point Office is at 1301 Oak, Hays.</figcaption>
 </figure>The walk-in clients will be seen by one of three Fort Hays State University interns who are working at the mental health clinic. Two are from the counseling department, and one is from the social work department.A licensed therapist is available during the walk-in clinic, if needed.Turning Point has four licensed therapists on staff, and the interns can refer clients to one of those clinicians for longer-term therapy if needed,&nbsp;Fairbank said. The clinic offers a full slate of psychiatric services."Sometimes there is a stigma about mental health help," Fairbank said, "and sometimes it is just getting here realizing that talking to a neutral ear is sometimes all they need to be able to figure out their issue."Clients can come back to the clinic more than once. However, Turning Point can't guarantee the client will have the same therapist. Turning Point can also offer longer-term therapy for clients who do not have insurance through the interns.Unlike services at a community mental health center, the walk-in clinic does not require a lengthy intake process. Participants only need to sign a consent to treat form."Our goal is, 'How can we help you now?' " Fairbank said. "We call it solution-focused therapy or positive psychology — something that is helping them find a little bit of hope in what they are going through and encouragement."Fairbank also stressed all visits are confidential.Turning Point began the clinic last fall, but the program had to be suspended during the shutdown. It rebooted the program on Sept. 3.Fairbank said she thought the walk-in service is needed now more than ever."I have lived in this community 43 years, and I am constantly asking myself, 'What does Hays need? What does my community need?' " Fairbank said.People who have never had mental health issues before are feeling additional stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety.A survey by the National Center for Health Statistics shows almost 30 percent of Americans are experiencing symptoms of clinical depression, compared to 6 percent at the same time last year.The survey also showed 36 percent are feeling more anxious about life now compared to 8 percent last year."This is a hard time," Fairbank said. "We are being kept from loved ones and maybe jobs and travel. There are a lot of stresses right now. People are hesitant to plan right now because they don't know if they are going to be able to complete it."Turning Point also has therapists in Dodge City, Scott City, Colby, Bird City, Quinter, Plainville, Stockton and Russell, but Hays is the only office offering the walk-in clinic. Fairbank said she would like to see that program expand if there are resources and a demand for it."There is such a need across the United States," she said. "I would say we need more mental health specialists."Turning Point is taking precautions to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19. Therapists wear masks. Clients are asked to wear masks in the lobby. They can wear a mask in therapy sessions or sign a waiver that they will not hold Turning Point liable if they contract the virus.The clinic also offers appointments through telehealth if the client's insurance allows it.Fairbank said the clinic hopes to soon offer groups, including anger management, parenting and restorative yoga.You can learn more about Turning Point's services by calling 785-628-3575 or visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.turningpointpcs.net/">website</a>. The clinic is located at 1301 Oak, Hays.

Turning Point Counseling offers mental health walk-in clinic