Counseling Center Names New Director

By Jan Howard

The new executive director of the Family Counseling Center comes well equipped to do the job.

Theresa A. Blackmer of Danbury, who was appointed as the new executive director effective October 8, has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years. The former director, Judy Gilkes Benson, is moving to Illinois later this fall.

Mrs Blackmer is a 1978 graduate of Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York and is a licensed clinical social worker.

She is enthusiastic about her new position and the possibilities facing her at the center, located on Mt Pleasant Road in Newtown. “I’m excited. It’s a new opportunity for me to grow,” she said, noting she is looking forward to working with the volunteer board of directors, staff and volunteers to further the agency’s mission.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to lead an agency that is licensed and accredited and has such strong support from the board, volunteers and community,” she said.

Mrs Blackmer held the position of director of professional services at Catholic Family Services of Danbury for the past ten years.  While there, she was responsible for the daily operations of its Mental Health Clinic and served as the supervisor of program directors and clinical staff. She also coordinated the field instruction for graduate social work students.

Catholic Family Services “is similar but larger than this,” she said.

Mrs Blackmer is a certified field instructor for Columbia University, Fordham University and the University of Connecticut School of Social Work as well as an adjunct instructor for Western Connecticut State University’s Bachelor of Social Work Program. She is also a peer reviewer for accreditation process of family service agencies for the Council on Accreditation of Children and Families.

Mrs Blackmer and her husband, James, have two children, Bryan, 19, a student at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, and Kristen, 16, a junior at Danbury High School.

She likes to walk, ski and swim.  “I love the beach,” she said. She also loves to go to craft fairs.

Formerly called the Family Life Center of Newtown, the Family Counseling Center has been in operation for 16 years. It was created by the outreach committee of Trinity Episcopal Church.

The main role of the center is to meet the mental health needs of children and adults who live or work in the greater Danbury and Southbury areas. It is licensed by the State Department of Public Health and nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children.

A non-profit agency, it provides individual, couples and family therapy, group therapy, support groups, and psychiatric assessment to about 600 clients. A crisis intervention service provides help seven days a week, 24 hours a day. It also provides consultation, training or workshops to businesses, school systems, preschools, day care providers and nursing homes.

The Center’s budget of about $350,000 is supported through the United Way of Northern Fairfield County, special fund raising events, such as the Holiday Festival, grants, churches, individual donations and the Town of Newtown.

 The professional staff includes, in addition to Mrs Blackmer, a medical director, clinical director, consulting psychiatrist, therapists, two social work interns and office support staff.

Mrs Blackmer said she is currently looking at programs the agency offers. “I would like to see us grow as a family service agency as long as it fits with our mission,” she said. “There are many opportunities for families, children and the elderly. I’d like to see new programs, perhaps in collaboration with other community agencies.”

She added, “We have something that works well and can expand. I’d like to let people know what we are. People need to know we’re here. We’re a viable resource for the community.”