FAQ
Who does MCS serve? Adults, ages 18 and over, who can benefit from outpatient psychotherapy. The center has served clients from 19 Georgia counties.
What services are provided? Individual, group, and couples psychotherapy of exceptional quality on a low-cost, sliding-fee scale.
What kinds of mental health issues and concerns are addressed at MCS? MCS therapists see clients with a broad array of issues and concerns, including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, childhood abuse and trauma, grief and loss, personal growth, post-traumatic stress, sexual identity/orientation issues, addiction recovery, and eating disorders.
How do I become a client? Call 404-321-1794, Ext. 1, and leave a message for a therapist to contact you. The therapist will ask some basic questions by phone to determine your needs. When appropriate, an intake appointment will be scheduled to further assess your situation and to see whether or not our center can effectively address your needs and concerns. If MCS is a good fit, you will begin working with a therapist on an ongoing basis after you both agree on a convenient schedule. If our clinician determines that another setting might be more appropriate, a referral will be made in order to achieve the right fit for you.
What are your fees for services? Fees are based on a sliding fee scale, ranging from $25 to $85 per session. The sliding scale is based on the client’s income and number of dependents.
What about people who can’t afford even $25 per session? There is scholarship money available for clients who qualify for a limited number of sessions at $10 per session.
What are your hours? MCS has appointments available beginning at 9:00 in the morning. Our last scheduled appointments are at 7:00 in the evening.
Where are you located? MCS is located in Northeast Atlanta near the intersection of Clairmont Road and I-85, inside I-285. Our address is 1900 Century Place, NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345-4302. For a map, as well as public transportation information, click here.
How long is a session? 50-minutes in length for individual and couples psychotherapy. Group therapy sessions will vary, depending on the nature of the group provided.
Does MCS take insurance? Because our fees are considerably lower than what it actually costs the center to provide our services, we are unable to accept 3rd party payments. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted at time of service.
Do you take credit cards? Payment for services can be made online by credit card.
How long has MCS been in operation? The center was founded in October 1995 as a grass-roots project of the partners of Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates (MPA), a full service multi-disciplinary group of psychotherapists in private practice.
Who are your therapists? Our therapists are experienced clinicians with post-graduate work in the field of mental health and Master’s degrees in Professional Counseling, Clinical Psychology, or Clinical Social Work. They are working under close clinical supervision to fulfill their 3-year post graduate licensure requirement in the State of Georgia. Some of our therapists have pursued their graduate and post graduate work directly following college graduation and some are mid-life career changers who have chosen to enter the mental health field in their late 40’s and early 50’s. All of our therapists have been carefully screened and receive excellent supervision and ongoing training by our Clinical Director and individual Clinical Supervisors.
What if I need medication? Your MCS therapist can refer you to a low-cost psychopharmacology clinic for medication if you do not have insurance. If you are insured and are willing to use your insurance, your therapist can coordinate care with physicians in private practice who can treat you for any medication needs.
How is MCS funded? MCS is a 501 (c) (3) organization, relying on grant monies and individual contributions to supplement revenue derived from client fees. The center receives no public funds. MCS has been awarded grants from a number of foundations, including: All Saints’ Episcopal Church Community Ministries Allocation Committee; Central Congregational Church Endowment Committee; The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Inc. – Catherine R. Arnold Fund, The Sundown Fund, Technical Assistance Fund, and General Unrestricted Funds; Lois and Lucy Lampkin Foundation; Microsoft and NPower National Partnership; United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta – Homefront Effort Grant; and Jesse Parker Williams Foundation.
What is the residency program? MCS offers one of the few settings in the metropolitan Atlanta area where therapists working towards licensure can receive clinical supervision and hands-on clinical experience to satisfy licensure requirements. MCS clinical supervisors are qualified to oversee clinicians seeking licensure as social workers and licensed professional counselors. 19 therapists have achieved licensure through their work and clinical supervision received at MCS. A total of 33 post-graduate therapists have received training and clinical supervision at the center.
How do I apply to become a resident? Mail your resume along with a cover letter to Kathy Steele, MN, CS, MCS Clinical Director, at MCS, 1900 Century Place, NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345.
How many people have you served? MCS provided 15,701 hours of direct clinical services to over 1146 clients during the center’s first 12 years of operation.
How do I make a referral? Fill out this MCS Referral Form and/or call us at 404-321-1794.
