Counseling & Education Center

The need is real. Anyone who has tried to find a therapist knows how hard it can be. Waitlists are long, insurance often won’t cover it, and private rates are out of reach for many families. For people in Mesa County living with low incomes, these barriers can mean going without care entirely. With changes to Medicaid beginning in 2027, more of our neighbors may soon lose the coverage they rely on.

For 45 years, the Counseling & Education Center has provided professional, trauma-informed counseling to adults, teens, children, and families, regardless of income or insurance. With our new building in Orchard Mesa now open, we expect to serve over 600 people this year across our two offices.

Your support helps local families get the professional counseling they need, when they need it. Your gift helps provide:

• Affordable counseling for everyone, with a sliding scale starting at $15 per session and acceptance of Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. There are no eligibility requirements or session limits.
• Timely care, with an average wait of just 9 days to begin counseling.
• A comfortable, home-like setting for counseling at our two locations in central Grand Junction and Orchard Mesa.
• Play therapy for children as young as 3
• Help with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship struggles, and life transitions from our team of highly trained therapists.
• Community-based therapy that brings mental health care directly to neighbors at partner sites like HomewardBound, The Joseph Center, and Mutual Aid Partners, where people experiencing homelessness and financial instability are already receiving support.
• Training for the next generation of therapists, growing Mesa County’s mental health workforce.

YOUR DONATION DURING COLORADO GIVES HELPS MORE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ACCESS PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING THAT THEY CAN AFFORD.

Testimonials

A sampling of comments from our counseling clients (anonymous to protect confidentiality):

"You were there for me when nobody else was."

"My husband had suffered a lot of childhood abuse and trauma. We are so grateful to have been guided, loved, respected, and counseled to get our lives back on a path we can navigate again in a positive manner, both individually and as a couple."

"CEC helped me get my life back."

"The most compassionate and professional care I've ever received from counselors and staff."