BETTENDORF, Iowa — Vera French is celebrating its new location in Bettendorf, which aims to provide mental health services to an added 100 people each day.
On Oct. 11, the company held a ribbon cutting at the Duck Creek Plaza location on Middle Road. The new location will bring around 20 new jobs and will offer therapy and counseling services along with housing some of Vera French's administrative staff.
The opening is another milestone for nurse Chris McCormick-Pries. "If you do the math, you know, 48 and a half years," she said with a chuckle.
Vera French herself hired Chris in May 1975, giving her a long career that's ever-changing. "I think over the years, there has been more specific definition of different disciplines and different skills," Chris said.
Vera French's programs in play therapy includes a method called Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) where a parent and kid can interact in a play room, and in an adjacent room, a therapist can observe from a one-way mirror.
"The therapist will be in the booth with earbuds, working with the parent, coaching them through how to do this bonding — how to develop that relationship, how to intervene in misbehavior," therapist Joyce Morrison explained.
The location will also provide Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) which helps teens involved in crime, substance abuse and other issues.
"We know that putting kids in detention, sending kids into residential treatment is not particularly helpful. It doesn't help them, it doesn't help our community ... we see families in home, working with them to help them to put their youth back on the path," Morrison said.
The new location will begin full services on Oct. 16. "We truly need to be that welcoming face that says, in many ways, 'I'm glad you're here, it's okay you came through the front door,'" Chris said.
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