Community First brings drug, alcohol counseling to West Chester

An agency that serves clients primarily through its Hamilton and Middletown locations now has a West Chester Twp. office to offer treatment for adults struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.

Community First Solutions opened a counseling service earlier this month inside the West Chester Activity Center. The nonprofit has leased the property at 7900 Cox Road since 2010 and also operates a senior center there.

“The services we are offering are counseling for individuals struggling with drug or alcohol problems,” said Danielle Webb of Community First.

Laura Sheehan, vice president of Community First’s Behavioral Health Services, said West Chester is one of many areas dealing with behavioral health issues affecting all segments of the community.

“West Chester is a very vibrant community dealing with an issue that is affecting all socio-economic backgrounds,” Sheehan said. “We are enthusiastic to respond to the needs of this community dealing with the nation-wide crisis.”

Certified Counselor Steve Brown has been tapped by Community First to lead the new location. He believes that the location “can help direct the people of West Chester struggling with addiction towards healing.”

Brown has over 30 years of professional experience as a social worker and says he is ready for the challenge of growing Community First’s efforts in West Chester.

“I am excited about growing this new program,” he said, adding that the location will offer intensive outpatient programs three times a week for three hours and outpatient treatment services are twice a week for two hours.

“In our world intensive outpatient refers to the length and frequency of a counseling group such as three times for three hours versus two times for two hours,” Brown said. “A full group can have up to 12 participants. Individuals may also schedule one on one counseling on an as-needed basis.”

The office will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and can be reached at 513-805-2873.

A small section of the building that is separate from the main activity center has been converted from office space to room for the counseling services.

“It has a completely separate entrance so clients will not have any connection with the seniors,” Webb said. “In addition, the groups are held in the evening when the senior center is not in use. So far everything has gone well.”

Community First Solutions, which has grown to be one of Hamilton’s largest private employers of approximately 700 workers, provides health care, behavioral health, pharmacy, retirement lifestyle and community services.

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