The Refuge Center for Counseling opened in December 2005 as the vision of its founders Amy Alexander and Jennifer Gillett. Amy and Jennifer had a strong desire to serve their county of residence-Williamson county. This county is often recognized for its wealth, which overshadows those who are in need. To live among great prosperity and to be in need is to often feel invisible.
The vision of The Refuge Center was to make sure that every individual and family had the opportunity to seek therapeutic resources, regardless of income level. Jennifer and Amy had discovered that there were few opportunities for affordable counseling in the area, as many local therapists charge $90-$150 per session. They wanted to be able to offer therapy to those who could not afford these fees, so they created a sliding-scale based on income that ranges from $10-$85.
The name for the center came from a passage in Isaiah which says, “It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and a hiding place from the storm and the rain.” (Is 4:6). The vision is also that beyond being a place to receive affordable counseling, The Refuge will also be a place where people are able to find hope and healing from the storms of their daily lives.
The Refuge currently has six therapists and five master’s level interns on staff. Each counselor has a different area of focus, including domestic and dating violence, adolescent behavioral issues, play therapy, addictions, marital-therapy, grief and loss counseling, family counseling, and therapy for parent-training and adoptions-related issues.
The Refuge receives referrals from over 35 sources including child advocacy centers, churches, health clinics, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, DCS, and other counselors.
