Deb Ralston, LPC
Dr. Julian Pickens
Jean Wheeler
Sun Lakes United Methodist Church (SLUMC) recently entered into an agreement to coordinate and work with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8053. This is believed to be the first agreement of this kind between a church ministry and a VFW Post.
The agreement signed between the Post Commander Pastor of SLUMC allows professional counseling services made available to veterans and direct family members. Sun Lakes Counseling Services has been serving the community for over 18 months.
Two counselors, Dr. Julian Pickens, a licensed substance abuse counselor as well as a licensed marriage and family therapist, and Deb Ralston, a licensed professional counselor nationally certified, provide these services. Typically, clients are involved in making healthy adaptations to patterns in their lives through the counseling experience.
This ministry of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church offers a sliding fee scale from $25 to $65 for professional counseling. For veterans and their family members, this professional counseling is offered at not only a sliding fee scale, but if they cannot afford these services that are offered, the VFW Post will pay the full or partial cost for their counseling on a sliding fee scale. There have been accolades coming from several different directions regarding this service.
The initial meeting is a complimentary consultation, and there is no fee. Should you know of someone who might benefit from professional counseling and is a veteran, please call the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church office at 480-895-8766.