It is stressful to be told that you must be evaluated. Attorney visits, financial worries, insurance concerns, public embarrassment, coping with the reactions of friends and family, and the lack of privacy as you wait in public lobby areas in court can all make this a difficult situation to cope with. If you then choose to wait nervously in the lobby of a hospital or mental health center for it to be your turn to be evaluated, you may begin to wonder, "When did I lose control of my life?"

Q: What is The NESS Counseling Center Inc.?
A: The NESS Counseling Center Inc. is dedicated to bringing quality counseling and treatment services to the greater Los Angeles area. Our unique and innovative philosophy focuses on providing such services in a nurturing and spiritually sound environment.

Q: Who does The NESS Counseling Center Inc. serve?
A: Anyone in need of quality counseling in a nurturing environment. The Center has individual and group programs geared towards people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Q: Is The NESS Counseling Center Inc. equipped to deal with drug and alcohol related problems?
A: Absolutely. Our counselors have many years of experience with the problem of chemical addiction in both adolescents and adults, and we work with the addict, the potential addict and those affected by an addict's behavior. We are equipped to do chemical dependency assessments where and when necessary, and can determine -with an accuracy rate of 90% for adults and 95% for adolescents- whether or not the client is actively using and/or is on the verge of using chemically addictive substances. Treatment includes individual and/or group counseling from both the therapeutic and "twelve-step" points of view and referrals will be given if residential or in-house treatment is indicated.
Both our individual and group counseling programs qualify for court-mandated counseling.

Q: What about battered women... emotionally, sexually and/or physically abused children and adults...rape victims... their abusers?
A: Here too, we have the experience and expertise to help. Whether still in the abusive situation or trying to adjust to the memories it left, the victim will feel cared for and validated as our programs teach them to take control of their own lives. The abusers will receive intensive counseling to help identify the cause of the abusiveness and the inner and outer resources available to help them learn how to better place their aggressive behaviors. Our programs are qualified for receiving court referrals, with a one-year minimum counseling commitment and mandatory attendance required for offenders.

Q: Can you help me cope with depression and grief?
A: Once again, the answer is yes. Both group and individual counseling are available to help you find the strength to move beyond your depression or grief -whether it be situational or chronic- to a fuller, more productive life. We recognize that such afflictions are caused by a variety of sources including trauma, death of a loved one (even a beloved pet), unfulfilled expectations of life, loss of a job, divorce, physical ailments, and more. In those cases where depression appears to be caused by chemical imbalance and best treated by a psychologist or in conjunction with a physician, appropriate referrals will be made. Similarly, if the problem is not one our staff has expertise dealing with, our policy will always be to refer you to someone better suited to help you.

Q: If I can't handle my child's behavioral problems or my marriage is falling apart, can you help me, too?
A: What would a nurturing counseling facility be without a focus on the child and family? Parenting groups, family groups, couples groups and individual counseling are all available at The NESS Counseling Center Inc.

Q: What can you tell me about the staff at The NESS Center?
A: Founder and Director of The NESS Counseling Center Inc., Dennis Brown, MA, MAC, NCAC II,CADC, has nearly twenty years counseling experience, serving for the past twenty years as administrative director of the Chabad Residential Drug Treatment in Los Angeles, California. All members of his counseling staff are California certified drug and alcohol counselors, nationally certified psychologists and/or internationally certified. They are well trained in the areas in which they will be offering care.

A new approach... Innovative and unique!
At The NESS Counseling center Inc., we believe there is a definite need for spiritual support in our clients' lives. We present this concept as goal-setting ideals with no preordained direction. We guide our clients to find their own spirituality so they can discover their own realistic and attainable personal goals...all in a spiritually nurturing environment.

At NESS, we don't count on miracles. But with hard work, patience and commitment, miracles will happen.