Hope Counseling Center celebrates grand opening

On January 17, Hope Counseling Center hosted an open house to dedicate their newly renovated office space and celebrate their ongoing commitment to affordable mental health services in Branson and surrounding communities. Members and friends of the Branson Chamber/Convention and Visitors Bureau; Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce, Forsyth Area Chamber of Commerce, and Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand to enjoy tours and refreshments and celebrate with ribbon cuttings. 

Hope Counseling Center was founded in 2009 as Faith Community Health. The clinic in the former Branson Elementary School building downtown was a cooperative effort of local faith leaders and health professionals concerned about the lack of affordable healthcare in the Branson area. The clinic focused on essential primary care services to uninsured and underinsured area residents, funded by grants and donations supplemented by income-based patient fees. 

Over the years, FCH moved to a larger facility and expanded services to include vision care, Missouri’s first charitable pharmacy, and mental health services. In keeping with changing community needs, the recent open house celebrated the transition to focusing on compassionate, high-quality mental health services for those who need them but may lack resources or insurance to pay for them. 

Information was also distributed at the open house for Hope for Children, a capital campaign to expand children’s therapy services at Hope Counseling Center. Recent statistics from the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services indicate this is a growing need in much of Missouri, including Taney and Stone counties; a 2024 Student Survey reported that 10.4% of Stone County students and 13.4% of Taney County students between grades 6–12 had “seriously considered” suicide in the last 12 months. Unfortunately, the report also found limited treatment options and therapists available at fees families could afford. In response to this need, Hope Counseling Center is developing a designated children’s waiting room, play therapy room, and two individual counseling offices with dedicated child therapists. 

Hope Counseling Center offers individual therapy, couples and family therapy, and group therapy. Counseling team members currently include counselor Reuben Smith, MS, LPC; Matt Vermillion, MS, PLPC; social work intern Elena Durocher, and counselor intern Faith Nelson. Kyle David serves as executive director, with a support of a dedicated administrative staff and board of directors. Visit the website, www.hopecounselingmo.org, to see income-based payment options as well as insurances accepted, or to schedule your appointment; or call 417-336-9355. 

Hope Counseling Center is located at 1232 Branson Hills Parkway, Suite 104, in Branson.