An innovative project south of Seattle marks the first co-located service between Compass Housing Alliance, now a division of LCSNW, and LCSNW Behavioral Health.
We have launched an outpatient counseling site inside a private suite in Don’s Place, Compass’s emergency housing program in Auburn—bringing behavioral health services directly where they’re needed.
“We’re thrilled to be opening this clinic in Auburn and bringing LCSNW behavioral health care directly to the community at Don’s Place,” said Allison Kojicić, LCSNW Clinical Director. “It’s a natural fit! Compass helps people find stability through housing and support services, and we know that mental health is a crucial part of building stability.”
In partnership with King County Health Through Housing, Compass operates Don’s Place emergency housing program. A converted former hotel, located in Auburn, Don’s Place serves people exiting chronic homelessness or at risk of chronic homelessness, with a special focus on Veterans and seniors. It has 81 units and serves close to 100 people at full capacity.
At a recent small ceremony, Najib Nazhat, Director of LCSNW’s Greater Puget Sound district, grabbed a pair of oversized scissors, clipped a ribbon, and declared the clinic open for business. With Clinical Supervisor Seth Andersen, Mental Health Clinician Lev Maertens, and Administrative Manager Olga Scoropad on hand, we celebrated that the clinic is now ready to serve participants.
“This office and this project are particularly important because after our years of due diligence, we finally achieved the merger between Compass Housing Alliance and LCSNW earlier this year,” Najib said. “This first joint project shows how together we can bring needed services closer to the community that we work with.”
The co-located office, with four LCSNW staff members working in the clinic, will serve both Compass residents and the wider community, breaking down barriers to care and strengthening the safety net for all. It represents collaboration in action.
Robelia White, Compass Program Manager of Don’s Place, was on hand for the ceremony.
“I’m happy to have a different setting where participants can go for their behavioral and mental health needs,” she said. “I am happy that LCSNW chose this space to provide the care this community deserves. Sometimes, our participants face challenges accessing mental health care, and with this clinic right here on site, that will open it up for them. This clinic is a gift, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
For now, the clinic will be available by referral and appointment only as participants at Don’s Place and in the larger Auburn community learn more about the service. Walk-in hours may be possible in the future, depending on caseload. Anyone who wants to learn more should call 253-487-7473 or visit the LCSNW website to see if this clinic is the right fit for their mental or behavioral health needs.
“Having an LCSNW therapist on site means people can get care where they already are, from people they already trust, without another barrier standing in the way,” Allison said. “We’re proud to be building this together and grateful to Compass for welcoming us in.”
LCSNW provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed mental health services to adults, with a focus on supporting people experiencing homelessness, immigrants, and their families. Services include individual and group counseling for adults 18 and older, with a focus on trauma, depression, anxiety, and related challenges. In addition to its new outpatient clinic at Don’s Place in Auburn, LCSNW also provides services in SeaTac. Multilingual counselors at SeaTac offer support in Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian, and English. Telehealth options are available. LCSNW accepts Medicaid and commercial insurance.
