ABSTRACT

Walk-In Counseling Center, in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, has offered free, anonymous, walk-in counseling since 1969—one of the first walk-in counseling centers in the world. In the middle of the United States in Minneapolis, Minnesota, sits a house: home to Walk-In Counseling Center. Walk-In first opened its doors in 1969. Walk-In Counseling Center offers a more immediate alternative or support while clients are waiting for a traditional appointment time. One of the concepts many people—especially clients—struggle to understand is that our services are free to everyone. Meeting with an anonymous person who poses imminent risk of harm to self or others requires sophisticated therapeutic skills of engagement, calm, and alliance. Volunteers deliver all of the counseling services at the Walk-In Counselling Clinic the counselors and team consultants are licensed professionals in the counseling/mental-health fields, or are advanced clinical graduate students.