West Texas Counseling and Guidance, based in San Angelo, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, offering a vital link to mental health services for half a century.
Originally opened as the Samaritan Counseling Center in 1976, the San Angelo location was operated as a satellite of the Abilene Pastoral Care and Counseling Center and involved a lone therapist from Abilene travelling to San Angelo once a week for appointments, often held in client’s homes or borrowed offices.
By 1978, the Center’s operations had expanded, allowing them to purchase the property at 2001 Colorado St., which was transformed into offices. They also received official 501(c)3 nonprofit status from the IRS that year.
In 2012, the Center dropped its affiliation with the Samaritan Institute and rebranded as West Texas Counseling & Guidance, and in 2016 operations were moved into the historical Cactus Hotel in downtown San Angelo.
Today, the Center is the only non-profit, outpatient, mental-health service provider dedicated to counseling across 36 counties in the Concho Valley, Val Verde area, and the Permian Basin, as well as in three counties in Southeastern New Mexico.
Counselors offer in-person sessions and through telehealth services. The organization provides a range of services, from children’s play therapy to veteran support and crisis intervention. They can connect individuals with immediate support when they need help.
West Texas Counseling and Guidance officials will celebrate their 50 years with a special event on May 28 at the Cactus Hotel.
