WHY I love VC3

by Liz Wile

I’m so grateful that Village Community Counseling Center (VC3) exists and is growing! The cost of therapy can be really prohibitive. In fact, when we were newly married and when going through a job transition, there have been several times in my life where I just couldn’t have afforded typical therapy rates.

That said, I was able to utilize a model very similar to VC3’s to help me and my family through some challenging times. I went to a clinic in Pasadena that’s very similar to how we operate. There I saw pre-degreed therapists via telehealth online sessions. Both times, once in couples therapy and once individually, I had great experiences. While I saw my therapist weekly (or biweekly), they would then anonymously review my case with their supervisor. I don’t know what magic was in those conversations, but I know occasionally my therapist would come back with a new idea or a tool to share with me that might have been suggested by their licensed supervisor. Maybe it was about the pain cycle and how to move from that into a place of peace when interacting with my spouse. Or maybe it was a new breathing and visualization exercise to quell anxiety. So I really felt like I got “two for the price of one,” if you will.

We have the exact same model at VC3, which makes therapy more affordable AND is a great place for therapists themselves to learn as they pursue their hours toward licensure. I’ve been changed for the better from this type of counseling center and I hope others can be, too!

The other thing I love about VC3 are the group classes. As a community counseling center, we are not only focused on individual and couples or family counseling, but we are also focused on connecting with folks together in community. My daughter participated in our preschool class last year where the kiddos learned about emotional regulation. The “Positive Power Hour” was so good for her to learn some tools for dealing with her big emotions.

I hope you’ll join me in supporting VC3 through prayer, fundraising, volunteer opportunities and referrals. If you have ideas for the website, for fundraising or for reaching the broader community, I’m all ears! Shoot me a note at vc3@villagechurchburbank.org.

Know someone who is looking for a therapist? Send them to VC3! Click the link below. Together, let’s see marriages heal, people freed from patterns that hold them, and communities transformed!