History and Purpose

The Family Enrichment Institute began in the fall of 2001. It is an extension of the Graduate Counseling Program at Carson-Newman College. This program is designed for students who are studying for a professional career in counseling. The Institute is an integral part of this program, providing opportunities for graduate students to expand their training beyond the classroom by engaging in community education projects. Our goal is to provide, free of charge, educational opportunities in a counseling setting that will enable participants to manage their lives more effectively and successfully, as well as strengthen their family relationships. While many of our graduate students have experience in teaching life-skills in a professional setting, all students involved in the Institute’s programs are enrolled in graduate counseling classes and are under supervision.

Parenting Training

Training in Parenting classes have changed from the original structured classroom setting to one-on-one sessions with participants (individuals/couples) to focus solely on their specific parenting needs. The individualized sessions give participants more flexibility in scheduling.

Expanded Services

The services of the Family Enrichment Institute have bee expanded and now include:

Individual/Couple Sessions

• Pre-marital Counseling
• Parenting Skills
• Anger management
• Divorce counseling for couples with children
• Life-coping skills

During the first session an assessment is done to determine the problem areas, to develop a tactical plan to achieve the desired outcome, and to estimate the number of hourly sessions needed.

Groups

• In partnership with Samaritan House, practicum students develop and lead a life-coping skills workshop for current residents on a rotating basis throughout the school year.

• Periodically, practicum students offer support groups (6 – 8 weeks) on topics of their choosing. Examples are Surviving Grief, Working with Children and Child Care Workers, and Anger Management for Adolescents.

These services are offered at no charge to participants.

 

Appointments

Appointments are available Monday – Thursday and Saturday morning.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, contact:

Edra Garrett, Coordinator
The Family Enrichment Institute
C-N Box 71900
Jefferson City, TN 37760

Phone: 865-471-3311
Email: egarrett@cn.edu
Fax: 865-471-3502

Location

The Family Enrichment Institute is located on the campus of Carson-Newman College in room 200-A of the Baker Building, at the corner of Russell Avenue and College Street, Jefferson City, TN 37760.

Graduate Studies in Counseling Faculty

Dr. William L. Blevins
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Director of Graduate Studies in Counseling

C-N Box 71900
Jefferson City TN, 37760
Phone: 865-471-3274
Email: bblevins@cn.edu

Dr. Mark Heinrich
• Professor of Psychology
• Director, School of Counseling Program
• Dean, Division of Social Sciences
• Licensed by Health Related Boards

C-N Box 71945
Jefferson City TN, 37760

Phone: 865-471-3271
Email: mheinrich@cn.edu

Dr. Lori Atwood
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Adjunct Instructor of Counseling
• Practicum Supervisor

C-N Box 71900
Jefferson City TN, 37760
Phone: 865-471-3274
Email: 865-471-3508