Affordable Counseling Services
We often fail to realize the true costs of some relatively common services until necessity compels us to use them. Such was the case for a former telecommunications company executive when a family member required counseling; this executive was surprised at the expense. He certainly could afford the therapist’s fees, but he wondered how many people were going without needed counseling because of cost.
That realization inspired him to organize, with the support of his church, what has become the Tree of Life Counseling and Education Service. Tree of Life provides counseling for residents of communities throughout Essex and neighboring counties at fees based solely on one’s ability to pay. Since its founding in 1970, Tree of Life has provided services to more than 2,500 people, on a nonprofit, nonsectarian and nondiscriminatory basis.
Tree of Life is a resource for individuals, couples and families facing the challenges of everyday living. Counseling services are available to adults, adolescents and groups. Persons counseled range in age from 12 years and under to 60 years and over. Tree of Life provides a supportive atmosphere where people can express their feelings without fear of judgment or reprisal. Professional counselors guide clients, helping them define their own values and formulate solutions to their problems.
Services include individual, group and family therapy counseling for marital and pre-marital issues; anxiety, grief and depression; drug and alcohol abuse; coping with stress or anger; interpersonal communication; spiritual direction; and aging-related issues.
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When both partners work, it
means redistribution of
household tasks. This may
cause conflict - and growth.
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 Going off to College...Many parents. after dropping their sons or daughters off, come home very sad and empty.
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Tree of Life organizes special, topical seminars and workshops for educational purposes at various times throughout the year, dealing with topics such as the family, grief, stress management, diet and nutrition, spiritual direction, therapeutic meditation, dreams, and age-related concerns.
We base fees for services on a sliding scale, according to a person’s financial situation. Expenses for counseling services not covered by fees are accounted for by donations, gifts of securities, foundation grants and proceeds from fundraising events.
Tree of Life maintains offices at the sites of two sponsoring organizations: Prospect Presbyterian Church, 646 Prospect Street, Maplewood, and First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, Bloomfield and Roseland Avenues. St. George’s Church (Episcopal) and Morrow Memorial Methodist Church, both of Maplewood, are also sponsors.
Counselors advocate no particular religious doctrine and counseling services are available to persons of all faiths, as well as those unaffiliated with any religious organization.
Anyone wishing to contact Tree of Life should call directly 973.763.2091.
The Executive Director of the Tree of Life: W. Ross Warfield, MDiv., is a graduate of Duke University and Princeton Theological Seminary. He is a Clinical Member of the American Association of Pastor Counselors and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, and he is also a Certified Spiritual Director, receiving his training from Oasis Ministries. He has been the Executive Director and Counselor at Tree of Life Counseling Service for 37 years.
