Counseling

The Highland Counseling Center was opened with the purpose of providing accessible and affordable mental, emotional, and relational help for Highland members and the community of Abilene.
About the Counseling Center
About the Counseling Center

Highland Counseling Center is a professional counseling practice and a Church-based ministry. Our counselors/therapists are local professionals who collaborate with us to provide exceptional care at a convenient location and an affordable price. Each counselor has a Master’s Degree in the field of Marriage & Family Therapy and is either fully licensed or provisionally licensed as a counselor in the state of Texas. Many of our practitioners have other practice locations but  agree to meet with our referrals at 238 Sayles Boulevard.  It is our goal to create the most effective therapeutic relationship by choosing the particular  professional(s) within the practice that will best meet each individual client’s needs.

While the counselors at Highland Counseling Center may have different approaches to treatment, utilizing a variety of techniques, theories and interventions, they all share in their belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Our belief that all healing counsel flows through Christ is the overriding influence of our counseling ministry. We believe in a holistic approach and the importance of psychological, emotional, relational, spiritual, and physical health and healing. It is not essential that you share your counselor’s Christian faith, but you have the right to know that their value assumptions are rooted in their faith and influenced by their experiences. We encourage you to discuss with your counselor his or her background and training before your proceed with counseling to ensure you are comfortable and confident in him or her.

Restoration comes in many forms at the Counseling Center
Restoration comes in many forms at the Counseling Center

We offer help for a range of needs, including:
– Premarital counseling
– Marriage counseling
– Family therapy
– Divorce recovery + Adjustment
– Unhealthy coping mechanisms
– Sexual abuse trauma
– Grief counseling
– Anxiety
– Depression
– Self Exploration

Online Therapy
Online Therapy

Technology assisted therapy, or online therapy is becoming increasingly more common because of its convenience and accessibility. Technology assisted therapy sessions utilize live video through a secure (HIPAA Compliant) platform. Online therapy could be a beneficial option for a stay at home parent during nap time, a client with limited time to leave their office during the day, or a couple or individual who might prefer the comforts of their own home for their therapy session.

If you are interested in online individual or couples counseling, please let us know so we can discuss with you if this would be a good fit to meet your mental health and relational needs.

Current Group Offerings
Current Group Offerings

Sexaholics Anonymous

Sexaholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem of lust, sex and pornography addiction and help others to recover. This is a closed group that follows the 12-step tradition. For weekly meeting time and information, click the button below or call (325) 704-8847.

Counseling Center Staff

Gretchen Etheredge

Counseling Center Director

Emily Savage

Counselor

Julia Six Aldriedge

Counselor

Eric Prato

Counselor

Carissa Elk

Counselor

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks and benefits of therapy?

Research studies repeatedly demonstrate the effectiveness of marriage and family therapy in treating the full range of mental and emotional disorders and health problems. Clients report marked improvement in work productivity, co-worker relationships, family relationships, partner relationships, emotional health, overall health, social life, and community involvement. Other benefits of counseling you may experience are improvements in your general mood; increased self-esteem and self-confidence; increased ability to set realistic goals and accomplish them; increased ability to manage stressful life circumstances; increased ability to manage strong emotional reactions such as anger, fear, or sadness; increased ability to trust, feel close to, and communicate your feelings, thoughts, and needs more openly to others; and an increased ability to stop behaviors that are not serving you well and start engaging in healthier behaviors.

A few risks associated with therapy and counseling include: some feelings or behaviors may seem to get worse, especially in the beginning; important people in your life may not support your decision to be in therapy; and you may develop strong positive feelings for your counselor and feel sad or distressed when therapy ends. Effective therapy is sometimes uncomfortable as sensitive issues may need to be explored or challenged. You are strongly encouraged to discuss any fears, concerns, or doubts you have with your counselor, including specific risks and benefits not listed that may be associated with your situation. Every effort will be made to support your personal needs.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Initial appointment inquiries are made by calling The Highland Counseling Center at (325) 201-3030.

Do you accept insurance? How much does it cost?

We do not accept insurance at this time. However, we can provide a detailed receipt for those who would like to file on their own. The counseling center uses a sliding scale based upon annual income to calculate fees. We work hard to provide options that keep finances from being a barrier to help.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.

You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

What should I expect in a therapy session?

Typically, a counselor will allot approximately 45-50 minutes for each session. During sessions, the primary goal is to establish a trusting relationship that is honest and genuine in nature and purposed for the client’s individual growth and positive change in emotional well-being. Additionally, in order to protect the client-practitioner relationship and ensure that it is a professional one, the practitioner will focus sessions solely on the client, and every effort will be made for the contact between practitioner and client to be limited to session time only. Since Highland Counseling Center is a church-based ministry your counselor may attend your church or be at local functions. Contact in these situations should be limited in order to protect the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

Do I have to be a Christian?

While the counselors at Highland Counseling Center may have different approaches to treatment, utilizing a variety of techniques, theories and interventions, they all share in their belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Our belief that all healing counsel flows through Christ is the overriding influence of our counseling ministry. We believe in a holistic approach and the importance of psychological, emotional, relational, spiritual, and physical health and healing. It is not essential that you share your counselor’s Christian faith, but you have the right to know that their value assumptions are rooted in their faith and influenced by their experiences. We encourage you to discuss with your counselor his or her background and training before your proceed with counseling to ensure you are comfortable and confident in him or her.

Resources for Counseling Center

The Best of You

Good Inside

Restoring the Soul

Bare Marriage with Sheila Wray Gregoire

Meditative Story

Foreplay Radio (for couples)

  • Attached to God by Krispin Mayfield
  • Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for
  • Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton
  • Invitation to Solitude and Sabbath: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley Barton
  • Atomic Habits by James Clear
  • Boundaries for Your Soul by Alison Cook, PhD & Kimberly Miller Mth LMFT
  • Try Softer by Aundi Kolber
  • Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa Terkeurst
  • Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
  • The Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary McBride, PhD
  • Love Sense by Sue Johnson
  • Magnificient Sex by Peggy Kleinplatz, PhD
  • The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach & Loanna Sawatsky
  • Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa Terkeurst
  • Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
  • Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want To Be by Dr. Becky Kennedy
  • Understanding Your Grief by Alan D. Wolfelt, PhD
  • Finding Daylight After Loss Shatters Your World by Elizabeth Harper Neeld, PhD

Contact Us

Location

238 Sayles Boulevard, Abilene,Texas 79605

Directions

Phone

(325) 201-3030

Email

counselingcenter@highlandchurch.org

Email Us