The Optimist

The Marriage and Family Institute opened its doors to the public to show off its recently renovated facility, which was contributed by an anonymous donor for $113,000.

The MFI is located on the second floor of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building on campus. This institution provides counseling and therapy for couples, families and individuals at the lowest prices available in the Abilene community.

The donation was specifically given to improve the institute's look and feel.

"We wanted to create a warmer, more inviting environment for our clientele," said Jaime Goff, assistant professor of the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy and director of the Marriage and Family Institute. "We jazzed it up. This works more to our clients' needs."

The MFI installed new carpeting in all 11-therapy rooms, as well as new furniture to accommodate comfort for everyone. The institute also upgraded from florescent lighting to recess lighting and lamps, and the walls were painted from white to a variety of hues differing in each room. 

David Todd Harmon, second year graduate student of marriage and family therapy from Aledo, said, "It's much more inviting. The old style was sterile and had a doctor's office feel. This is still professional but warmer and more comfortable."

The Marriage and Family Institute serves people with problems ranging from extra-marital affairs to depression and anxiety, as well as child and adolescent behavior problems.

The cost is based on income from $5.50 per hour to $22 per hour.

Every counselor at the MFI is a student of the graduate program of Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently there are 38 student counselors. To ensure clients receive the best service possible, the MFI installed cameras to record every therapy session so graduate students can learn and be closely supervised by the licensed faculty. The institute logs around 8,000 hours per year.

Goff said the students are encouraged to try a variety of therapy theories and practices to see which will best help their clients.

"We provide services for every kind of client," Goff said. "We operate from the systemic theory. The difference between marriage and family therapy and psychology is in paradigm. Psychology looks at the individual where marriage and family therapy looks at the context that influences the individual's behavior."

E-mail Lehmann at: optimist@acu.edu

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