DAYTON, Va. (WHSV) — Hometown Pastoral Counseling Group in Dayton recently opened a new office in August, expanding the range of mental health services it provides to the community. The group is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent individuals from accessing essential mental health resources.
La Dawn Knicely, the owner and a pastoral counselor licensed as a professional counselor (LPC), emphasized that mental health challenges should be treated with the same seriousness as physical illnesses. “We need to dismantle the barriers to access mental health resources,” Knicely stated. “There is a stigma and shame surrounding mental health issues, so we aim to create a space where it’s okay to discuss these topics openly.”
With the addition of LPC Harvey Yoder to the team, Knicely and Yoder are focused on addressing the pressing need for more counseling services in the area. “There are long wait times to see mental health counselors, and a significant shortage of professionals in this field,” Knicely explained. “We want those who are struggling to know that we see them, we hear them, and they are not alone.”
To further alleviate obstacles to mental health care, Hometown Pastoral Counseling Group employs a sliding fee scale based on individual income, with a minimum charge of just $20. Importantly, the group does not require insurance for services. “Mental health services can often be cost-prohibitive,” Knicely noted. “Many people prioritize everything but their mental well-being. Our sliding scale ensures that no one is turned away and that everyone has access to the counseling they need.”
Knicely pointed out that one in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year. “There needs to be more education and awareness surrounding mental health,” she stressed. “This advocacy is vital not only for our clients and their families but for the entire community. Churches, public officials, and elected representatives all have a role to play in this effort.”
In addition to her work at Hometown Pastoral Counseling Group, Knicely serves as the secretary of the Valley Justice Coalition, which advocates for increased counseling resources for inmates in jails and prisons. She expressed her aspiration for the counseling group to become a training hub for aspiring counselors.
Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney Marsha Garst praised Hometown Pastoral Counseling Group for its efforts. “It is essential to have mental health resources available in our community to help those struggling, preventing them from resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse,” Garst said. She reiterated the importance of erasing the stigma associated with mental health and ensuring that those in need can access the support they require.
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