“More than 15 percent of Americans are, at some point, diagnosed with clinical depression. Even more suffer daily from stress and relationship issues. If you know anybody who suffers from any of those issues, the University of Akron’s Clinic for Individual and Family Counseling might have what they need.”
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More than 15 percent of Americans are, at some point, diagnosed with clinical depression. Even more suffer daily from stress and relationship issues.

If you know anybody who suffers from any of those issues, the University of Akron’s Clinic for Individual and Family Counseling might have what they need.

Located in Carroll Hall, the department dually serves the Akron area by training the university’s masters and doctoral-level students in the mental health professions with new custom-developed technology while offering genuine and affordable help to the community.

The clinic specializes in patients dealing with depression, anxiety and stress, grief and loss, self-esteem issues, behavior problems, anger management, phobias, sexual orientation issues, career or work-related issues, relationship conflicts, divorce and blended family issues.

The director of the clinic, Robert Schwartz, said he is excited for the clinic’s new transformations. After a four-year effort to raise money for the state-of-the-art technology for the students to observe the patients from almost any room, the clinic will soon enter into a comfortable and quiet building in Fir Hill Plaza.

The new equipment and location will allow patients to connect with the counseling trainees in an unperturbed and peaceful environment.

The new, discreet cameras need only a small space in the corner of the room for an image to screen over to the clinic’s computer server.

The password-protected server is connected to its own network, making it impossible to be tampered with.

Every single person has a chance; an opportunity to figure out ways to be happy in life, Schwartz said.

He is proud of the clinic’s ability to quickly respond to the community, and the fact that the clinic is here to build trust with their patients in order to help them reach their goals.

The clinic is opened Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On average, 32 pre-professional trainees serve about 230 patients each semester.

Patient fees run on a sliding scale, allowing for no one to be denied help regardless of ability to pay.

The most common way patients hear of the clinic is from a family member, friend or word-of-mouth. If you know anyone who is in need of help, they can reach the center at (330) 972-6822.

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