National Depression Screening Day is an annual event held each October on the Thursday of Mental Illness Awareness week. During this event, Counseling Associates offices will offer free educational and screening programs that are completely confidential and free of charge to the public. Please visit us at our offices in New London, Newport and Claremont on Thursday, October 6, 4-6 pm. No appointment is necessary for this free screening.

Research tells us that abuse occurs within one out of every four committed, romantic relationships. Whether married or not, whether church affiliated or not, whether heterosexual or homosexual, 25% of intimate partnerships will experience abuse.

Understanding the dynamics of domestic abuse is a critical first step to preventing, responding to, and, with God's help, eliminating abuse in couples and families. The church is uniquely positioned to engage in this work.
more information (pdf)

A discussion and growth group for women between 35 and 65 years of age who are experiencing change in physical, emotional, or relational aspects of life.
Dates: Wednesdays January 5th - February 23rd for one hour per week.
more information (pdf)

Understanding Bullying, presented by the UNH Cooperative Extension will be held on November 17, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the New London Outing Club Indoor Center. This training is designed to put parents back into the bullying discussion and to learn the skills they need to get the cyber-bullying and bullying epidemic under control in their families, schools and communities. Thom Linehan and Gail Kennedy, Extension Educators in Merrimack and Sullivan Counties will be the presenters.

This training will teach parents meaningful, change-inducing strategies for helping their families deal with bullying and its effects. Participants will receive a 16-page guide that explains how to help those who experience, participate in or witness bullying.

Understanding Bullying is being sponsored by; New London First Baptist Church, New London Recreation Department, New London Outing Club, Counseling Associates, Colby Sawyer College, New London Police Department, Nutrition Counseling Center and the Lake Sunapee VNA and Hospice. The training is open to all area residents.

Press Release Poster (pdf)

Call 526.6511 to register for this program or e-mail fbc@nhvt.net.

In response to requests from physicians and clients living in the Claremont area, we are happy to announce the opening of our Claremont office on October 1. Counseling Associates of Claremont will be offering services more accessible to Valley Regional Hospital patients in our new office located in the former Kane Diagnostic Center at 5 Dunning Street.

We pride ourselves on being responsive to clients' needs and are able to offer initial appointments within 1-2 weeks of the initial phone call. We accept all major insurances including Medicaid, Medicare, Anthem, Cigna, United Behavioral Health and Aetna in addition to many other smaller carriers.

Our clinical team in Claremont includes Susan Borchert, PhD, and Priscilla Smeed, LICSW. Both members of our clinical team have extensive experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and families.

As an initial community service we are honoring the National Depression Screening Day on Thursday October 7 by opening our Claremont offices from 4-6 p.m. to offer free depression screenings to any interested community member.

CA is pleased to announce the expansion of our practice to include Substance Abuse Services for both adolescents and adults in our New London and Newport offices.

Services include assessments and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse problems. We understand that individuals seek services for an array of different reasons. We welcome individuals who are seeking treatment for personal growth, family and health reasons, as well as those seeking services to address legal concerns. In addition to assessment and treatment, we are also able to offer services to those mandated to complete substance abuse screenings and assessments for DUI's, courts and other orders. CA offers non-judgmental and motivating services for those who may struggle with alcohol and substance abuse concerns.

We are pleased to announce the relocation of our Newport office to 44 North Main Street. Our new office is conveniently across from the Town Green.

We are also pleased to inform you of the expansion of our clinical team to include five providers: Jim Esposito, LCMHC; Priscilla Smeed, LICSW; Marlene Meinelt, LISCW; and Renee Thayer, MA LADC as well as the extension of our mental health services to also include substance abuse evaluation and treatment.

Our clinical team offers extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. We look forward to working with you and your practice to provide treatment that is strengths-based, collaborative, and tailored to meet the needs of patients and their support systems. All of our Newport providers are now accepting new clients.