Countywide : Counseling Service to Open New Office

Family Service of Orange County, which for 38 years has provided the public with counseling services, has a new headquarters in Irvine and plans a grand-opening celebration next week.

The move from Tustin to a rented office near John Wayne Airport was prompted in part by a need for more space, said Tom Bayles, the interim executive director.

Since it began offering sexual-abuse counseling in 1992, the agency has seen requests for services increase by about 20%, Bayles said. The privately funded organization provides low-cost counseling on issues ranging from family discord to job stress for about 4,000 people a year.

The new headquarters on Cowan Street contains enough space for eight counseling rooms and three offices. It offers the added advantage of being on a side street, a privacy feature some clients appreciate, Bayles said.

Family Service officials hope that their new home among the corporate headquarters and business parks of Irvine will allow the organization to develop employee-assistance programs for companies. These programs could cover such topics as sexual harassment on the job, worker stress and violence in the workplace, Bayles said.

Family Service has a staff of two full-time social workers and two part-time counselors. It also operates smaller branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Beach.

The grand opening will be held Aug. 12 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 18001 Cowan, Suite C. The service’s telephone number will remain (714) 660-8020.