Lutheran Family and Children's Services - South East
Lutheran Family and Children's Services - South East
Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri (LFCS) is a not-for-profit social services organization serving the State of Missouri. Over the past 30 years, LFCS has extended its physical presence from the St. Louis area across the state, expanding services into Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Springfield, and Franklin County. Time and time again, LFCS has taken on new challenges and expanded its capacity to serve.
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Services Offered
Maternal Mental Health Program LFCS staff provide therapy sessions that focus on family strengths and creating goals to help mothers battle depression while parenting their children.
School Counseling LFCS is thrilled to be able to place licensed, professional counselors on-site at over 70 Lutheran, Public and Private schools throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Our counselors are able to supplement the resources of the schools we serve, providing much-needed help and support to students and families.
Child / Youth Therapy Our counselors are licensed or provisionally licensed, professionals who have experience working with children and adolescents. They work to create a safe, positive therapeutic environment which encourages the child or youth to share their concerns and discuss issues that are impacting their lives in a negative way. Issues addressed may include:
Couples Therapy The conflict is frequently intensified by the hurt and anger that the partners may feel when their expectations for the relationship are being frustrated. In couples therapy the therapist will meet with both partners together and separately. Issues may include:
Marriage Preparation Communication Problems Financial Problems Conflict Substance Abuse Separation & Divorce Sexual Problems Abusive Relationships Mental Illness
Family Therapy The emphasis in family therapy is on relationship patterns. The primary goal is to improve the quality of the relationships within the family. Family therapy combines sessions with individuals and sessions with the entire family.
Issues may include:
Separation & Divorce Extended-family or Blended-family Concerns Chronic Illness Single-parent-family Concerns Parenting Financial Stress Parenting Children With Special Needs Family conflict Substance Abuse Family reunification Grief & Loss
Fees and Payment
Based on residency of the child, the services may be offered at no cost or at a greatly reduced cost. Children and youth who reside in St. Louis, St. Charles and Franklin Counties can receive counseling through the subsidy of the St. Louis County Children's Service Fund, the Community and Children's Resource Board of St. Charles or the Franklin County Children and Families Community Resource Board. Some insurances and sliding fees are also accepted. Please talk with the intake counselor to learn more about any fees relate.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual Faith-Based LGBTQ
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono Medicare Medicaid
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
Qualifying for assistance from Missouri's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Missouri's program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
