Barb M. first volunteered as a counselor for Walk-In Counseling Center in 2013, but she had already referred many clients to the free, accessible counseling service because it is a such a critical resource.
“Walk-In is there for everyone,” Barb says. “For people who don’t have a place to go for counseling, and also for people who do but want the confidentiality.” Barb vividly remembers one woman in particular who had health insurance, but was “very, very nervous” about her family finding out she was receiving counseling.
“She was able to come to Walk-In, because Walk-In is trustworthy,” Barb recalls.
When Barb did an internship at Walk-In, working with the variety of experienced counselors on her team was invaluable. “I learned so much about how to be supportive of another person, in a quiet, private, respectful place.”
Marriage and family therapy is second career for Barb. She was inspired to switch from marketing to counseling while taking care of parents with serious illnesses.
“They were in and out of emergency rooms, intensive care, and rehab. And all that time I was raising my children and working full time. I had the normal problems of what people call the sandwich generation, with my own marriage and family issues. But through that time, I felt so much kindness from the hospital staff, especially the social workers,” she recalls. “I thought about how in the world I could repay that favor and have that opportunity to be helpful. That’s when I decided to become a therapist.”
These days, Barb is still busy, now with grandchildren and other commitments. She isn’t able to volunteer at Walk-In right now. But she contributes financially as much as she can, and she tells others about Walk-In.
“Walk-In is an invaluable resource for those who need help, and for the helpers too. I’m trying to be more vocal about my support for Walk-In. I want more people to know that Walk-In really, really makes a difference.”