Grace Counseling to hold open house

Newly opened facility provides help for substance abuse

Grace Counseling Center will hold a Holiday Open House Thursday, Nov. 17 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., according to Shelley Cloninger, office manager.“We will have an open house Thursday, with food and prize drawings,” Cloninger said. “We will be open to the public so that people can come visit, walk around, get a look at the clinic and meet the counselors.

Located in Texarkana at 6500 Summerhill Road, Suite 2B, Grace Counseling Center seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of those seeking help for substance abuse support, including mental and physical health services for various groups and ages.

Cloninger said Grace Counseling is an outpatient center, and that they provide free screenings for anyone with substance abuse issues, whether it be issues related to alcohol or other drugs. Since Cloninger is working to complete her degree as a substance abuse counselor, she is dedicated to trying to get people the help they need—even if Grace Counseling Center isn’t a fit for them. 

“We are an outpatient center and some people might need inpatient care,” Cloninger said. “For screenings, we do sit down and talk about insurance, care credit or a payment plan. If someone comes in and can't do any kind of payment plan I’ve sat up for two days until I could find funding for just one person.

Licensed professional counselors are on staff and they have group meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Everyone gets a chance to speak alone with their counselors to make sure they get a chance to say what they didn’t want to say in a group setting, she said.

Cloninger said Grace Counseling Center was opened earlier this year by Bloomburg High School Graduate Cheryl Rayl LPC-S, MAC. Rayl moved to open a facility after seeing how out-of-control the opioid epidemic and other drug addiction is in east Texas.

“She saw the opioid problem and she really wanted to make a difference in the community,” Cloninger said. “There were no resources…she didn’t do a business plan or a loss evaluation, she just saw the problem and jumped in to fix it.”

Holiday Open House is a chance for the public to visit the center Thursday and check out their facility. Food, fun and festivities are sponsored by The Prairie Recovery Center, an inpatient care facility.

Cloninger said those hoping to come for a screening or that want to RSVP can contact her at 1-800-972-0643 and select option 3. If the call is rerouted, ask for Shelley or email the center at inquiry@grace-counseling.com.

Cass County Now

306 West Main St
Atlanta, TX 75551
903.796.7133