A Safe Place

How does it feel to be the first contact when someone calls for counseling? Listen to the perspective of Jean Lambert, ACC’s office manager.

Mrs. Lambert came to work for ACC in 1998. At the time she was not working, but heard about a part-time position and decided to apply. “I fell in love with the place when I came for my interview,” she said. In the past 6 ½ years, both her hours and responsibilities have increased.

As office manager, Jean’s duties include handling intake calls which generally makes her the first contact someone has with ACC. “When someone calls for an appointment, they are often very upset or under great stress due to a current crisis. My goal is to communicate to them that ACC is a safe place and help reassure them. I then set about information gathering—presenting issue, insurance information, etc. Once insurance is checked, a clinician is assigned, and I call back to schedule their appointment,” Mrs. Lambert stated.

“Communicating that ACC is a safe place is easy,” she shared. “I know from working here that both the support staff and the clinicians are here because they have a heart for ministry and a heart for hurting people.” Just as in Romans Paul describes the Body as being made up of members with different gifts, so Jean sees her co-workers at ACC as fitting their gifts together, as in a puzzle, to function as a whole. She said she has been nurtured personally by seeing such compassion around her.

When asked what she would like people to know about ACC, her answer came quickly. “Calling for counseling is not a sign of spiritual weakness. It is the wise person who makes a call to seek help. We are urged constantly to care for our physical health. We should make our mental and emotional health a priority as well, without feeling shame or embarrassment.”

To contact Associates in Christian Counseling to set up an appointment, call Jean Lambert at 336-896-0065, ext. 203.