When Jennifer Frank Smith asked me to contribute to the newsletter, I responded enthusiastically with a storm of ideas for future issues. Then it occurred to me that, perhaps, other residents would enjoy sharing their budding expertise and emerging professional identities with the broader MCS community. And thus, the inception of "Residents' Corner".

Residents' Corner designates a space, outside of consulting rooms, for residents to express and cultivate their own experiences of change and growth in therapeutic process. We invite readers to join us in our own learning as we reflect on our own techniques, styles, and voices in psychotherapy.

Issues pertinent to clinical work and relevant to the community which holds and supports MCS will be explored in the Residents' Corner. The content and form of the issues will vary; we will represent the diversity of residents' creative talents, the range of residents' therapeutic approaches, and the variety of clinical issues residents engage. Residents will reflect on topics from the slightly abstract and theoretical, "Sitting with Not-Knowing in Uncertain Times" to the more applied and practical, "Exercise and Nutrition Tips for Clients (and Their Therapists)."

Another motivation for creating Residents' Corner is to provide newsletter readers the unique opportunity to gain a better sense for "who" the residents are; "what" we are learning; and, "why" we do "what" we do.

by
Stefanie L. Speanburg, LMSW

We are honoring Beth Galvin of Fox 5 Atlanta with the 'MCS Caring Award' at our 4th annual Night on the Town fundraising event. Her Health Watch series "Live Through the Crisis" highlighted several nonprofits, including MCS, which offer help to people in financial need. Her sensitive and insightful treatment of these organizations helped connect people in the community with needed services. See below for more about Beth Galvin.

Beth Galvin (beth.galvin@myfoxatlanta.com) gets to the heart of the story.. literally! Inspiring and informative, Beth brings you comprehensive and intelligent health stories you won't see on any other Georgia TV station.

She began her on-air career at Chattanooga's WTVC-TV and was first seen on Atlanta area televisions as a general assignment reporter for WXIA-TV. In 1996, Beth joined FOX5 Atlanta and became the regular face of FOX5's HealthWatch.

Battling a serious health problem reveals a person's strength and vulnerability. Beth has been touched by many of the people she has covered, like a 19-year-old's lifesaving heart transplant and a baby's struggle with a defective heart. Her reporting has not only caught the attention of viewers, but of media and medical professionals as well. She has won a regional Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Medical Reporting and an award for Specialty Reporting from the Georgia Associated Press Broadcasters. The Georgia Physicians Association/Atlanta Medical Association also presented her with an award for Outstanding Health Reporting.

Beth attended Wesleyan College in Macon, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations.

Beth resides in Decatur with her husband Brad. When she's not working, Beth enjoys curling up with a good book, digging in her garden and traveling to national parks.

With sincere appreciation for the support of MCS's many donors, volunteers, staff and residents, we celebrated on June 13th at the eclectic Studio Chambers. There was great food, lively music, and fantastic photography provided by award-winning Don Chambers.

Metropolitan Counseling Services (MCS) is a nonprofit center providing quality, affordable counseling and psychotherapy to adults in the Metropolitan Atlanta area.

Over the past 12 years, MCS has provided hope and health for people suffering from a wide variety of mental health concerns, including the pain of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, problems in relationships, and unresolved issues from childhood abuse and trauma. organizations helped connect people in the community with needed services.

Our resident therapists offer individual, couples, and group psychotherapy on a sliding fee scale based on household income and number of dependents. Fees start as low as $25 per session.

Here's an insider's view of what's been going on at MCS lately:

• We are delighted to welcome back resident Stefanie Speanburg, LMSW to MCS
• Congratulations to Jennifer Collins, MA, LPC for completing her residency at MCS and gaining licensure!
• Home improvements - the waiting room has been updated with new furniture!
• We have also introduced the OQ-45 as a questionnaire to measure client progress