Introduction
Craig Counseling is a multidisciplinary mental health organization that provides therapeutic services to individuals, families, and groups. Founded in the early 1990s, the organization has grown from a single outpatient clinic into a network of centers offering a wide array of counseling modalities. The primary mission of Craig Counseling is to improve psychological well‑being through evidence‑based practices, community outreach, and professional development for mental health practitioners.
History and Background
Founding
Craig Counseling was established in 1993 by Dr. Susan Craig, a clinical psychologist with a specialization in cognitive behavioral therapy. The initial office was located in a small community in the Midwest, where the founder identified a gap in accessible mental health services for adults experiencing stress, anxiety, and depressive disorders. The first year of operation involved a modest team of licensed therapists, a receptionist, and a volunteer support worker.
Growth and Expansion
By 1998, demand for services had exceeded the capacity of the original location. In response, Craig Counseling opened a second facility in a neighboring city, expanding its service roster to include couples counseling and brief intervention programs for substance abuse. The early 2000s saw a strategic partnership with a regional university, allowing the organization to pilot internship programs for graduate students in psychology and social work. Through these collaborations, Craig Counseling was able to incorporate research-driven practices into its clinical framework.
Recent Developments
In 2015, Craig Counseling launched a telehealth platform to reach clients in rural areas and accommodate the increasing preference for remote therapy. The platform features secure video conferencing, electronic intake forms, and an integrated scheduling system. The organization also introduced a mobile application in 2018 to facilitate psychoeducation, mood tracking, and medication reminders. These innovations have positioned Craig Counseling as a forward‑looking provider of mental health care, capable of delivering services across traditional geographic boundaries.
Organization and Governance
Leadership
The executive team of Craig Counseling is chaired by Dr. Susan Craig, who serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Board. The board comprises clinicians, former clients, and community stakeholders who provide oversight and strategic direction. The Chief Operations Officer, Dr. Miguel Alvarez, is responsible for day‑to‑day management of all centers, while the Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Elaine Park, oversees budgeting, accounting, and financial planning.
Affiliations and Partnerships
Craig Counseling is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and maintains membership in the American Counseling Association (ACA). The organization collaborates with local hospitals, primary care practices, and schools to facilitate referral pathways and integrate behavioral health into primary care settings. Additionally, Craig Counseling has an ongoing partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health to support the dissemination of research findings and the development of evidence‑based protocols.
Funding and Economics
Revenue for Craig Counseling is derived from a mix of private insurance reimbursements, Medicaid payments, out‑of‑pocket client fees, and grant funding. Approximately 55 percent of income is sourced from insurance contracts, 30 percent from public payer programs, 10 percent from private pay clients, and 5 percent from research grants. The organization employs a sliding‑scale fee schedule for uninsured or under‑insured clients, ensuring affordability and equitable access to services.
Services and Programs
Individual Counseling
Craig Counseling offers individualized therapy using a range of modalities. Primary methods include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness‑based cognitive therapy. Therapists are licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and registered nurses with advanced clinical training. Sessions typically last 50 minutes and are scheduled on a weekly basis, with flexibility for crisis intervention when necessary.
Group Counseling
Group therapy at Craig Counseling is designed to foster peer support, skill development, and emotional expression. Core group programs focus on anxiety management, depression coping, grief processing, and interpersonal effectiveness. Each group consists of 6 to 10 participants and is facilitated by a licensed therapist with specialized training in group dynamics.
Specialized Programs
Craig Counseling administers targeted interventions for specific populations, including:
- Adolescent Support Groups: Peer‑led forums for teens dealing with bullying, identity issues, and academic stress.
- Veterans’ Counseling: Trauma‑informed care that addresses post‑traumatic stress disorder, depression, and reintegration challenges.
- Couples and Family Therapy: Systems‑based interventions that improve communication, conflict resolution, and relationship satisfaction.
- Substance Use Disorder Services: Integrated behavioral health and medication‑assisted treatment for individuals with alcohol or drug dependence.
Online Counseling
The telehealth platform allows clients to receive counseling through secure video sessions, telephone calls, or secure messaging. The platform also offers psychoeducational resources, such as self‑help worksheets and relaxation exercises. All online services comply with HIPAA privacy regulations and are available in both English and Spanish to accommodate diverse client needs.
Clinical Approaches and Key Concepts
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, time‑limited intervention that focuses on the interrelation of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Practitioners at Craig Counseling employ CBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and exposure exercises. The approach is evidence‑based and has demonstrated efficacy across a range of disorders, including generalized anxiety, major depressive disorder, and obsessive‑compulsive disorder.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy at Craig Counseling emphasizes unconscious processes, early relational patterns, and emotional insight. Therapists use techniques such as free association, interpretation of transference, and dream analysis to explore underlying conflicts. This modality is often recommended for clients seeking deeper self‑understanding and for those with persistent personality issues.
Trauma‑Informed Care
Trauma‑informed care is a framework that guides the organization’s approach to individuals who have experienced trauma. Core principles include safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. Staff receive ongoing training in trauma awareness, and services are delivered in a manner that respects clients’ autonomy and promotes healing without re‑traumatization.
Integrative Approaches
Craig Counseling adopts integrative models that combine elements of CBT, psychodynamic theory, and mindfulness practices. For example, the Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Approach integrates mindfulness meditation with cognitive restructuring to address rumination and emotional dysregulation. These hybrid modalities aim to provide a comprehensive treatment experience tailored to individual client needs.
Research and Evaluation
Outcomes Studies
Research conducted by Craig Counseling’s Clinical Outcomes Division has published peer‑reviewed articles in journals such as the Journal of Counseling Psychology and the Journal of Clinical Psychology. A longitudinal study from 2017 documented a 45 percent reduction in depressive symptoms among adults who completed an 8‑week CBT program. Another 2019 study examined the effectiveness of group mindfulness training on anxiety levels in adolescents, reporting significant improvements in coping strategies and social functioning.
Quality Improvement Initiatives
Craig Counseling employs continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes aligned with the American Psychological Association’s Standards of Practice. Quarterly case‑review meetings assess treatment fidelity, adherence to evidence‑based protocols, and client satisfaction. The organization also participates in a national benchmarking program that compares outcome data against peer institutions, informing practice adjustments and resource allocation.
Impact and Reach
Client Demographics
As of 2025, Craig Counseling serves approximately 8,000 clients annually across 12 centers. The client population is diverse, with 60 percent identifying as White, 25 percent as African American, 8 percent as Hispanic, 4 percent as Asian, and 3 percent as multiracial. Age distribution ranges from 16 to 70 years, with a slightly higher concentration of clients aged 25 to 40. Gender distribution is nearly balanced, though slightly more female clients seek services.
Community Outreach
The organization hosts monthly workshops on topics such as stress management, healthy relationships, and mental health literacy. It also partners with local schools to provide counseling for students and teachers. In addition, Craig Counseling sponsors a quarterly community fair that offers free mental health screenings, educational materials, and referrals to services.
Notable Alumni and Success Stories
Several former clients have achieved notable professional and personal milestones after receiving treatment. For example, a client who completed the Veterans’ Counseling program went on to complete a Master’s degree in social work and established a nonprofit focused on veteran mental health. Another client, after completing the adolescent program, successfully entered college and has now published a research article on adolescent resilience.
Criticisms and Controversies
Like many mental health providers, Craig Counseling has faced scrutiny over the accessibility of its services. In 2016, a lawsuit alleged that the organization’s fee schedule discriminated against low‑income clients. The lawsuit was settled with the implementation of a more transparent sliding‑scale system and the establishment of a financial aid office. In addition, critics have raised concerns about the potential for overreliance on medication management in conjunction with psychotherapy, citing limited data on long‑term outcomes for combined treatment approaches. Craig Counseling has responded by integrating comprehensive medication reviews into its standard care protocol and by ensuring that all medication decisions are informed by evidence and client consent.
Future Directions
Craig Counseling plans to expand its telehealth offerings by incorporating virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy for phobic disorders and post‑traumatic stress disorder. The organization is also developing a community‑based peer support network aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health treatment among young adults. In partnership with a national research institute, Craig Counseling intends to conduct a randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a combined mindfulness‑CBT intervention for chronic pain management.
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