LSS expands to new office space

Lutheran Social Service's financial counseling program and The Counseling Center have moved into new office space at 318 W. Laurel St. in Brainerd in the recently constructed office center.

Four other service areas provided by Lutheran Social Service, including Energy Assistance, Youth Services, Housing and Personal Support Services for people with disabilities will remain at 716 E. St. in Brainerd.

The new office opening reflects Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota's desire to better serve the community by expanding services, the company reported.

"We are extremely excited to have the new space," said Mary Beth Galey, statewide senior director of Counseling and Family Services for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. "We feel we can better fulfill the Lutheran Social Service mission and better serve the people of the community."

With the new office space, LSS mental health services will expand hours, serving individuals and families until 7 p.m. during weekdays. Lutheran Social Service will also be hiring additional clinicians to fulfill needed services.

In addition to expanded services, The Counseling Center will continue to offer excellence in clinical and therapeutic services to people of all ages in the Baxter/Brainerd area. Services include individual, family and marital counseling, specialized play therapy for children, psychological evaluations and diagnosis. The center accepts a variety of insurance and is a widely-credentialed Employee Assistance Program and county-funded service provider. Lutheran Social Service also provides free counseling services to veterans and their dependents through the state-funded CORE program, in addition to group therapy services including anger management and eating disorders.

LSS Financial Counseling helps individuals and families sort through the maze of credit and debt problems to find workable solutions. Programs include budget counseling, debt management, housing counseling, bankruptcy counseling, reverse mortgage counseling and financial education workshops. Financial counseling is offered in the office, over the phone or Internet counseling.

The new office on West Laurel Street will have an open house from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 19. Community members are welcome to attend to learn more about the services Lutheran Social Service provides.

For more information, call The Counseling Center at 828-7379 and LSS Financial Counseling at (888) 577-2227.