Family and Community Services Inc - Gougler Counseling Department

Community-Based Care for All Ages

The counseling department serves children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in a small-city community. Clients come in with everyday stress, grief, or more complex mental health and substance use concerns. Because services are delivered in outpatient and intensive outpatient (IOP) settings, people can keep up with school, parenting, work, and caregiving while receiving support.

Integrated Mental Health and Substance Use Support

The program offers individual, group, and family counseling, couples therapy, psychiatry, and diagnostic assessments alongside substance use programs. Clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders can address both at the same time, instead of navigating separate systems. Suicide prevention services, outreach, and follow-up after discharge help create continuity of care for people who are struggling with safety or stability.

Trauma-Focused Therapies and Health Education

Clinicians use evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), along with trauma-informed counseling, anger management, relapse prevention, and brief interventions. Education on HIV, hepatitis, and general health, plus smoking and vaping cessation counseling, supports clients’ physical health alongside emotional recovery.

Support for Justice-Involved and Vulnerable Clients

The clinic runs court-ordered diversion and educational programs and offers a specially designed track for people with driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated charges. It also serves clients involved in other parts of the criminal justice system. Dedicated programming is available for people who have experienced intimate partner violence, domestic violence, or other trauma, aiming to provide safer options and support around difficult legal and family situations.

Recovery Housing and Practical Life Support

Family & Community Services connects clients to recovery housing for men and women in Portage County and offers housing services, case management, and mentoring or peer support. Self-help groups, recovery coaching, and social skills development help people build a support network. Employment counseling, vocational training, and educational support can make it easier to find or keep work and pursue school goals.