Samaritan Center of Puget Sound Programs
Mental Health Counseling for Families, Couples and Individuals
Thirty-two state-licensed therapists trained at a master's or doctoral level and representing a variety of mental health disciplines help Samaritan's clients resolve a wide variety of mental health problems. Our mission is to provide high quality counseling services for all who come to us, earnestly attempting to see that no one is turned away because of their inability to pay the customary fee.
The Samaritan Fund is available to individuals, couples and families with with very limited incomes. They can qualify for a stated number of sessions (which is based on our current resources) at a fee of $1 for each $1,000 of family income. Last year, the average fee for Samaritan Fund clients was $18. This Fund is supported by donations and an annual fundraising event.
Samaritan’s Low Income Clinic meets two needs: providing mental health services for those with extremely limited incomes and providing supervision for therapists who have completed their academic training and are working toward Washington State licensure. Clinic providers are carefully screened and accepted for one-year externships in which their work is supervised by experienced Samaritan clinicians. Those who qualify for Low Income Clinic counseling pay an average of $15 per session.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
A Recent Success
Samaritan has received a grant from The Stewardship Foundation which will assist us in positioning the agency to provide mental health services in an effective way in the rapidly changing health care environment. Working with other health care providers in the area, Samaritan seeks to be a relevant resource for families, couples and individuals who seek quality mental health services provided by therapists who believe that healing takes place on multiple levels and are trained in treating the whole person--mind, body and spirit.
A Current Need
The demand for the counseling services that Samaritan provides for Puget Sound families continues to surpass our financial resources. More than half of those who come to Samaritan are unable to afford the cost of the care they need and we provide thousands of dollars in uncompensated care each year. Our Board of Directors and staff are committed to maintaining Samaritan's presence in the community -- one of the few faith-based counseling agencies that offers fee adjustment for our neighbors who are in need.