MHA’s New Counseling Center Project
Renovations are completed for MHA’s free counseling center at 3701 Latrobe Drive, Suite 140 in Charlotte. Through a major investment from Mecklenburg County’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funds, MHA was able to completely repurpose the office suite, to improve services to local individuals who may not be able to afford counseling.
“As we have returned to the office in a post-pandemic environment, many of our employees continue working within a hybrid model,” said Executive Director Kathy Rogers. “As a nonprofit, we want to fully utilize our assets in a way that better serves the community and fulfills our mission to provide help, offer hope, and promote mental wellness.”
The organization has transformed Suite 140 offices into MHA Counseling Center: Where Mental Health Matters. The Center is staffed with students from Johnson C. Smith University and UNC-Charlotte who are in graduate programs (including MSW and MA in Counseling) seeking to pursue an internship experience. A new Clinical Director, Megan Bryant, MS, LCMHC, LCAS-A (pictured above), joined the team on August 30, 2022 to provide clinical supervision to the interns and leadership to the project.*
Creating a counseling center at MHA will achieve the following outcomes:
- Increase access for uninsured or underinsured Mecklenburg residents (youth and adults) to receive free counseling services;
- Provide students the opportunity to learn and practice, under clinical supervision, and receive clinical experience through a meaningful internship.
- Provide universities with a partnership to connect students to clinical/counseling placements
- Increase the pipeline of therapists of color, through internship opportunities.
The new counseling center opened January 17, 2023. In addition, free short-term counseling is available through MHA for both Cabarrus and Mecklenburg community members. More about both counseling programs here.
* Megan is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist-Associate. With a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling and 13 years of experience in the mental health field working with children, adolescents, adults, and families, Megan’s working experience ranges from foster care, inpatient hospitalization, community support, and residential facilities. When providing counseling services, she utilizes therapeutic techniques from evidence-based models such as behavioral modification, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma focused.
Funding from UnitedHealthcare and Mecklenburg County’s ARPA grant allowed MHA to create a new full-time position which will help with counseling intake, as well as answering calls and connecting individuals to resources. Rebekah Bagley was named MHA’s Mental Health Navigator in May, a position created to improve our Information and Referral services. The position provides support to overcome obstacles faced in accessing or receiving services needed to maintain well-being. Rebekah offers compassion and understanding as a certified peer support specialist, who formerly supported individuals at Promise Resource Network. Rebekah is a NAMI Youth Ambassador, Emotional CPR Facilitator, and QPR trainer. Rebekah has experience working in a peer run respite, and warm line where she assisted individuals experiencing emotional crisis. She is an experienced public speaker, speaking at events to share her mental health wellness journey to inspire others. Rebekah is excited to start the Masters of Social Work program at UNC Charlotte in summer 2023.