The Counseling & Education Center (CEC) is a non-profit organization celebrating more than 40 years of providing accessible mental health counseling to Mesa County residents of all ages, from children as young as 3 to adults and families. With no eligibility requirements and sliding scale fees available for uninsured or underinsured clients, we ensure that everyone who needs healing can access quality care regardless of their financial situation. Beyond direct services, CEC strengthens our community through our clinical training program that develops the next generation of mental health professionals and our community-based initiatives that bring support directly to those who need it most
CEC Vision: A future where all people can attain mental wellbeing through access to professional, affordable counseling services, leading to a healthier community.
CEC Mission: The Counseling and Education Center enriches our community by providing professional, affordable counseling services to all.
CEC Core Values:
Affordability: by ensuring that counseling is available to all regardless of income.
Equity: by providing the same high quality care to all, regardless of identity or payer source.
Safety: by following the principles of trauma-informed care to create physical and psychological safety for clients, staff, partners, and community members.
Integrity: by following the core ethical principles of nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy, justice, fidelity, and honesty.
Responsiveness: by using deliberate practice and cultural humility to adapt to the unique needs of each individual.
Community: by maintaining an environment of respect and hospitality for all.
CEC is staffed by a diverse community of dedicated, caring professionals who enrich our community by providing professional, affordable counseling services to families and individuals in need.
CEC was founded in 1981 by Sister Faye Huelsmann (MS, LPC) and Sister Pat Lewter (MS, LPC). In August of that year, the Sisters applied for a grant from the St. Joseph Foundation for $18,000 for start-up monies to open their nonprofit vision – an affordable counseling center for individuals and families in Mesa County. The funds were awarded to them and allocated to begin the next year. The Sisters moved to Grand Junction and set up a tent in a local campground. Every morning they set out looking for jobs. They decided to seek a local convent where Franciscan Sisters from Rochester were living. Sister Faye had a script prepared to explain their vision, but when Sister Killeen opened the door, Sister Pat blurted out, “We are Sisters of St. Joseph from Concordia, may we live with you?” The Franciscans took them in and helped them find temporary jobs.
The grant money for their counseling center – initially named the Center for Enriched Communications – began in January 1982. Both Sisters continued working their jobs until the Center was self-sufficient. Their experience working in the community served them well. The Sisters realized they would be fulfilling a great need in Mesa County by empowering people to change their lives to benefit themselves, their family and their community through counseling that is affordable for all.
In 1998 the Center merged with Individual and Family Counseling (another nonprofit organization) and became the Counseling & Education Center (CEC).
