The Counseling Center at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks has witnessed an increase in the number of people calling the center to report a wide range of psychological problems and a pressing need for affordable counseling as a result of the economy's effect on families. Many callers are reporting fears of losing their homes or jobs, or actual losses.

Concerns over financial issues can lead to psychological problems that include anxiety, depression, strain in relationships, conflicts at work, drug abuse and other manifestations of deteriorating psychological wellbeing. At a time when a person may need counseling services the most, but can afford them the least, the solution is to forgo any treatment.

The Community Counseling Services and Parent Child Study Center have obtained two grants that help with the cost of counseling for families who are experiencing an increase in psychological problems in the economic climate.

One of the grants was made possible by the support of the Swift Healthcare Memorial Foundation, a foundation with a longstanding tradition of helping families. The other grant came from the Lutheran Pastors' Fund, an in-house funding source for families who need affordable counseling.

The center offers counseling in Spanish and English to children, couples, families and individuals on a sliding scale with no client being turned away due to an inability to pay.

For more information about counseling services at CLU, call (805) 493-3390.