The King County Drug Diversion Court (KCDDC) awarded Antioch University Seattle (AUS) a $198K contract to provide mental health services to individuals struggling with mental health issues in addition to addictions and legal difficulties.
Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, services will be provided by qualified students enrolled in clinical master’s and doctoral degree programs at AUS under the supervision of faculty members who are licensed psychologists or mental health professionals and offered at the AUS Community Counseling and Psychology Clinic (Clinic).
The psychology students and faculty members from AUS will assist referred individuals in acquiring skills to help them resolve or reduce the impact of mental health issues on their day to day lives; increase their ability to cope and function as productive citizens; and increase their chances of successfully completing the KCDDC program.
“Many individuals enrolled in the KCDDC still suffer from the long-term effects of childhood abuse, domestic violence and other trauma. This is an incredible opportunity for these individuals to address lingering issues with state-of-the-art therapy and counseling,” says Mary Taylor, MSW, Program Manager, KCDDC.
“The program is a win-win-win for the clients, the Clinic and King County,” according to Doug Wear, Ph.D., Clinic Director. “KCDDC participants that would otherwise lack access to timely and affordable care are getting the help they need.”
Carol Stanley, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Applied Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy explains, “The Clinic gets a significant contract and a diverse training opportunity for its students. KCDDC fills a gap in treatment for its participants through a federally funded program.”
The Clinic has been in operation since 2006 and offers AUS students the ability to gain real-world experience that is integrated with classroom learning to develop highly qualified psychology professionals. Students work with a wide range of clients in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, psychological issues and diagnoses.
The partnership with KCDDC began in March 2010 and will continue through August 2011.
Learn more about our Psychology and Counseling and Wellness programs.
