Founded and directed by Dudley Bienvenu, BCS is a 501c non-profit, faith-based agency in Lafayette, Louisiana, whose mission is to strengthen and support individuals, marriages, and families through professional Christian counseling, enrichment seminars, and educational materials. BCS is not allied with nor does it endorse a particular church or denomination, providing services to people seeking help regardless of background, race, or religious belief.
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Services Offered
Counseling Services We offer individual, couple, and family counseling for adults, adolescents, and children in standard formats as well as special programs in order to better meet a wide variety of client needs. Fees vary depending on the counselor and modality and are listed below. Our multi-denominational staff of six professional Christian Counselors is composed of Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, and a Licensed Addiction Counselor. Each has received specialized training in their chosen fields of expertise and adheres to the ethical guidelines of their respective licensing boards and the American Association of Christian Counselors. While we consider ourselves to be a Christian based organization, we re not allied with, nor do we endorse any particular church or denomination. our services are offered to anyone seriously seeking help regardless of background, race, or religious belief.
Fees and Payment
BCS is not an approved provider for Medicare or Medicaid, so unfortunately clients cannot use these benefits to pay for our services.
Payment, Financing, and Discounts: Fees are payable at the time of each visit. Please have a check, credit card, or exact cash available. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover credit cards. Regarding cancellations: you are asked to give 24 hours notice in the event that you are unable to keep your appointment. If you fail to notify us by 3:00 PM on the day prior to your appointment, you will be charged your full fee.
BCS Discount Program: We are not an agency who offers primarily low cost counseling services, nor is it our mission to serve the poor and indigent. However, we do want to be able to provide counseling fee discounts to our clients going through special or difficult circumstances, as resources allow. In order to qualify for a counseling fee discount, the following criteria must be met and process followed: - The person (or family) seeking a discount must be a current client of BCS, having been seen by one of our counselors at least two times at the regular counseling fee. - There must be a sincere and significant financial need, and no other available financial resources to pay for counseling, such as insurance, family, friends or church. - The client must ask for financial assistance. - The client must fully complete the required application form and provide all of the requested information, which includes a copy of the last year's tax return and most recent pay stub of all significant income earners living in their home and turn in to the secretary or their counselor. - The client must be able to clearly identify the problem they want help with and their goals for counseling. - The client must be highly motivated to work toward their goals and demonstrate compliance with their treatment plan. - The counselor must believe that he or she can help the client, want to work with the client, and be able and willing to offer the discount. - BCS must have the financial resources available to help. - Discount applications are reviewed bi-monthly and decisions rendered within two weeks, after which the counselor will be informed and notify their client. - If a counseling fee discount is approved, the discount rate will go into effect from that point forward and be honored for up to 8 sessions per calendar year, per client or couple. - The client's counselor may, at his or her discretion, offer additional or greater discounts than that approved and for more than 8 sessions, but will not be reimbursed by BCS for this amount. In such cases, this is a matter to be discussed and decided between client and counselor, not with the secretaries.
This is a non-profit agency.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual Faith-Based
Payment: Sliding Scale
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Qualifying for assistance from Louisiana's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Louisiana'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.