Free COVID-19 Counseling Available in Katy
There's no dispute that everyone has been affected by COVID-19 in some way. Many have fallen ill to the virus, loved ones have lost their lives to COVID-19, people lost their jobs due to long-term effects, lives were interrupted and even turned upside down, and much more. One of the most common ways COVID-19 has affected people is one that cannot be readily seen: the mental and emotional toll.
Grief is a dominant factor in the affect that COVID-19 has had on survivors, which comes in many forms on its own. From grieving the loss of family, friends, neighbors and community members to the loss of time, where nearly everyone lost the ability to do the things they enjoy, grief is a nearly universal experience that survivors have in common. For many, this grief has had a profound affect on daily life, often enmeshed with the effects of trauma. Traumatic events that have happened leading to depression, anxiety and traumatic stress disorder make trauma a broad sweeping phenomenon in that has touched us all in different ways.
Quality mental health services like therapy and counseling can help those suffering with the effects of COVID-19 by providing tools and perspectives to work through their grief and trauma. But for many, the cost for mental health services makes acquiring them prohibitive. Even with health insurance, a mental health therapy session could cost $20 but for a family that is struggling to pay for basic needs like food and shelter, that $20 could make all the difference. Without health insurance, a quality mental health therapy session can cost nearly or over $100, which is too often out of the question for families struggling to keep food on the table.
One local non-profit is offering a solution: free mental health therapy sessions for Fort Bend County residents who have been affected by COVID-19.
About one year ago, a special grant was awarded to Katy Christian Ministries to help fund their mission to address this concern. Their COVID-19 counseling program provides for 12 in-person or virtual sessions, which includes a free 15-minute consultation to determine the best treatment plan. KCM has three therapists on staff including Eric Keil, who is currently specializing in therapy related to the effects of COVID-19 for clients. The therapists work with individuals, couples and families. If at the conclusion of a client's 12-session plan and additional services are needed, KCM will work on a case-by-case basis to determine how to help the client get additional assistance.
Compounding the issue of grief and trauma in relation to COVID-19, many of the individuals KCM is seeing who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are also currently in crisis. Clients that KCM has historically served commonly fall within this demographic, which are individuals that typically cannot afford quality therapy or any therapy at all.
"What we do in therapy is try to help people to find those inner answers and be able to work to the things going on inside of them so that they can hopefully work through that crisis and be able to make a better living for themselves or be able to come through it on the other side," said Keil.
For those interested in KCM's COVID-19 therapy services, simply call KCM between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM at 281-391-9623 and ask to speak with social services reception or Eric Keil directly. Interested individuals can also email Eric at eric.keil@ktcm.org. In-person sessions are held at KCM's main building, located at 3506 Porter Road in Katy.
KCM also has a crisis center that specifically offers free therapy services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. These services are similar to those offered in the COVID-19 program and also come with 12 free sessions, but are specific to this population of survivors. If you need help immediately for these issues, you are welcome to call KCM's 24/7 hotlines: Domestic Abuse at 281-391-4357 (HELP) and Sexual Abuse at 281-693-7273 (RAPE). To reach KCM's crisis center, please call Domestic Abuse at 281-391-4504 or Sexual Assault at 281-391-5262. They are open from Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
For more information about Katy Christian Ministries and their wide array of services, please call 281-391-5261 or visit ktcm.org.
 |
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
|
