New Director Building Connections at CGC’S Darien/New Canaan Office

STAMFORD, CT/August 23, 2013 – Mary Joggerst, MSW, successfully assumed leadership of the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut’s (CGC)  Darien/New Canaan office, located at 972 Post Road in Darien, early this past spring. Prior to becoming Director of this community office, Ms. Joggerst excelled as a clinician in CGC’s Emergency Mobile Crisis Program, providing clinical services to some of the highest risk adolescents and children in the community.

As a member of the Crisis Team, Ms. Joggerst provided assessment and stabilization services to children threatening suicide or violence, and those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  She also dedicated time to providing longer-term individual, group and family therapy to youngsters with a wider range of mental health issues to help them resolve problems and develop skills to more independently manage overwhelming feelings and challenging life circumstances.

Since moving into her new position, Ms. Joggerst has built upon relationships formed in her previous role, leading to a spike in referrals to the Darien/New Canaan office that clearly illustrates the ever-growing need for accessible, expert mental health services in the area.

Many of the cases referred to the Darien location in recent months have been quite complex and have required an array of services including case management, therapy, and in some cases, medication combined with psychotherapy to reduce severe symptoms. Noting that even in Darien and New Canaan most families cannot afford private practice fees and require subsidy to cover the full cost of diagnostic and treatment services at CGC, Ms. Joggerst expressed her appreciation for the support provided by local organizations like the Community Fund of Darien, New Canaan Community Foundation, Town of New Canaan Health and Human Services, area churches, and generous individuals that make it possible for CGC to help local children who need our services. 

“Knowing we are meeting such an intense need is extremely fulfilling,” Joggerst said. “Because we offer comprehensive services, we have the tools here to work with and help some very high-risk children and families.”

Before coming to CGC, Ms. Joggerst worked at St. Vincent’s Trauma and Wellness Center in Manhattan and in various other school and clinical settings. She received a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY and a Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College in New York City.

Staffed by psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, APRN’s and care coordinators, the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut is an outpatient mental health center for children and adolescents who experience psychological, behavioral, developmental, social or family problems. We are dedicated to reducing emotional suffering and dysfunctional behavior, strengthening families, and helping each child and adolescent achieve optimal potential. CGC’s clinical staff works with more than 2,000 children annually, providing culturally competent and sensitive care to families who are representative of the rich ethnic mix of communities we serve. Preventative services are provided to youngsters, parents, and professionals through community education and consultation programs. Incorporated in 1954, CGC is supported by the Connecticut Department of Children & Families, Connecticut Office of Victim Services, and United Way and Community Funds; and is the beneficiary of generous individual, foundation, and corporate contributions. www.childguidancect.org

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CONTACT:

Jeannine Egdorf

Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut, Inc.

Jeannine.Egdorf@childguidancect.org

(203) 517-3320