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Annual Report 2010

Our Mission

We provide emotional healing, guidance and support through professional, spiritually-integrated counseling and education.

Vision

The Samaritan Counseling Center provides an environment in which the client’s spiritual and religious beliefs are honored and integrated into the healing process by professional counselors who receive on-going theological training.  In the image of “The Good Samaritan”, the Center serves anyone who seeks counseling, with financial assistance available for those in need.

Organizational Background

The Center was founded in 1997 as one of more than 300 counseling centers across the United States, and now the world, accredited by the Samaritan Institute.  Since 1972, the Institute has been establishing professional non-profit counseling centers founded on the premise of providing quality mental health care through cost-effective management strategies.  In over 14 years of operation, the Center has provided thousands of hours of professional counseling and education services to individuals, families and organizations in the Eagle River Valley and surrounding counties.  We are also accredited by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Increase in Clients Served – 2008 to 2010

2008 -
Clinical Hours: 705
Group Hours: 48
Clients Served - Individual Session: 133
Clients Served - In Group Setting: 240

2009 -
Clinical Hours: 1080
Group Hours: 260
Clients Served - Individual Session: 180
Clients Served - In Group Setting: 2080

2010 -
Clinical Hours: 1604
Group Hours: 159
Clients Served - Individual Session: 242
Clients Served - In Group Setting: 795

2010 Goals

•Ongoing Individual Counseling - We expect, due to the increase in need for our services, a 75% increase in clinical hours in 2011.  We are well positioned to meet this demand.

•In collaboration with other agencies, we will continue outreach into the community in areas of youth mental health, addiction and suicide prevention.

•Conduct community-wide needs assessment in collaboration with Eagle County Public Health and the Denver Depression Center to determine gaps that yet need to be filled in our community. 

•Search for a psychiatrist who could work on our staff, in collaboration with Vail Valley Medical Center and Colorado Mountain Medical.

•Continue working on reducing stigma regarding mental health.

Samaritan Center Staff

Elizabeth Myers, MBA – Executive Director - Elizabeth brings her deep commitment to the mission of helping others to the Center.  Her extensive business experience has helped shape the SCC into an agency-model counseling center with professional business practices, a clear fund raising strategy, and a clear identity.  Elizabeth plays a major leadership role in the community in mental health improvement and suicide prevention.

Randy Simmonds, PhD, LPC – Dr. Simmonds is the Clinical Director of the Center, providing supervision and education for the staff, in addition to providing counseling for adults, couples and adolescents.  He has been a counselor for 28 years, is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

April Wilson, MSW, LSW – April is a licensed social worker with a commitment and passion for the ministry and work of the Center.  She specializes in mood disorders, addiction, trauma and anxiety.  She works with adults and adolescents experiencing significant stress.  April also does work in mental health and case management in both the medical and and criminal justice settings.

Bryan Austill, MDiv, PhD, Lic. Psych. – Dr. Austill has a PhD in Counseling Psychology. Bryan’s areas of specialization include couple’s relationships, mood disorders, end-of-life issues, and integration of mental health and spirituality.  His background includes social work, hospital and hospice chaplaincy, and parish ministry. Dr. Austill is a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Vanessa Lewis, MSW, LCSW – Vanessa practices a brief solution model of therapy with a focus on systems. She works with adults and young adults assisting individuals and families in life transitions.  She also specializes in grief counseling.  Vanessa is also the oncology clinical social worker for the Shaw Regional Cancer Center.

Nicholas J. Hoeger, MAE, NCC, LPC – Nic is a board certified counselor, licensed school counselor, and licensed psychotherapist.  He makes therapy accessible through his pleasant demeanor and by providing services in the center, in the homes of clients, and at local schools. Nic works primarily with adolescents, and is a school counselor at Battle Mountain High School.

Lynne Perry, MA – Lynne works with children using Expressive Arts Therapy. This therapy uses different art forms – visual art, drama, writing, play, movement and music – as a catalyst for healing.  Lynne is also an art teacher at Berry Creek Middle School.

Donations to the Center are tax-deductible.  Contributions may be mailed to Samaritan Counseling Center, PO Box 122, Edwards, CO 81632 or made through our website, http://www.samaritan-vail.org.