Pennock Center for Counseling

Background Statement

Pennock Center for Counseling exists to fill a gap in mental health services for the uninsured, underinsured and working poor by making professional services available based on a sliding fee scale. Our clients pay what they can afford for our services.

We are named after our founder, Mary Pennock, who was a school teacher and a dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church in Brighton. Ms. Pennock started the center in 1983. Her vision was to help people heal psychologically, emotionally and relationally. Initially, the center was started as a counseling program within the First Presbyterian Church and later expanded services to the community. The center has evolved into an independent community counseling center staffed with graduate level therapists and student interns.

After Ms. Pennock's death, an endowment allowed the organization to move to a new level. In 2003, we acquired a stand-alone building and changed the name from Ministry of Care Hilltop Counseling to Pennock Center for Counseling.

In early years, the Church provided funding and office space and the organization operated under the Church's 501(c)(3) status. Today, the organization is financially independent from the church and has its own Articles of Incorporation, board of directors, bylaws and policies. Pennock Center for Counseling was granted its own non-profit status as a 509 (a)(3) in January of 2005. Demand for services offered at the center continues to grow each year.

Pennock Center for Counseling offers professional counseling, psycho educational programs and support groups for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Individuals are referred or seek services due to a range of concerns including: depression, relationship problems, anxiety/panic, post traumatic stress disorder/trauma, family issues, bipolar disorder, adjustment problems, stress and grief. Pennock Center's group programming includes: parenting groups at the center, parenting groups in Spanish for the Brighton 27J School District, grief support groups, children's social skills groups, DBT Skills groups and wellness groups. We also periodically offer social skills and support groups within the schools.

The center continues to have a close association with Platte Valley Medical Center, the local hospital. We provide employee assistance counseling for their employees and family members.