Our Approach
💡 Our Approach
Easily Accessible & Integrated Care
We combine licensed counseling, non-clinical coaching, group support, training, and community partnerships to help people heal, grow, and move forward with dignity.
History has shown that underserved and disadvantaged individuals rarely seek professional care, but often utilize resources in community settings. By offering mental health services via Telehealth and in easily accessible settings — including faith communities — we reach individuals who would probably never receive essential mental health care.
We believe that all humans should receive behavioral health counseling when needed, and we ensure they have access through our easily accessible, integrated approach.
Our Method
Healing Begins with Being R.E.A.L.
We use our R.E.A.L. Therapy Counseling Model to enhance individuals' abilities to experience real transformation during counseling and coaching sessions. The model was developed by Dr. Buckingham and is rooted in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Reality Therapy.
Dr. Buckingham developed the R.E.A.L. Therapy model to help individuals exchange lifestyles marked by hardship and disappointment for ones marked by favor, satisfaction, and confidence.
"Victims never win." — Dr. Buckingham uses this motto to inspire clients to accept responsibility for their choices, take action to correct ineffective behavior, and bounce forward stronger, wiser, and better after facing adversity.
R.E.A.L. Therapy is for people who are ready to do real work and experience real transformation.
R.E.A.L
Therapy Model
R
Realistic Approach
We work with clients to help them approach situations realistically. Through cognitive processing, we help individuals see life for what it is and gain a deeper understanding of thoughts that create emotional distress and dysfunctional behavior. We then modify ineffective behavioral patterns that prevent healing.
🛡️ Resilience Development
E
Rational Expectations
We assist clients in developing rational expectations so they can use sound reasoning to cope and form sound expectations of themselves and others. We remind clients that their expectations deeply influence how they treat themselves and the people around them.
🔍 Empathy-Driven Mindset
A
Positive Attitude
We remind clients of the importance of maintaining a positive attitude toward self and others. This strategy helps them understand that their attitude strongly influences their affect, actions, and behavior — and that shifting it can shift everything.
💪 Resilience Building
L
Love Unconditionally
We teach clients how to demonstrate unconditional love for themselves and others. We teach positive regard and forgiveness, which are essential skills for overcoming hardship and building lasting emotional health and psychological stability.
❤️ Emotional Intelligence
Populations We Serve
Care Built for Everyone Left Behind
TERC serves people facing financial, insurance, cultural, or systemic barriers to care. We exist precisely because the people who need care most are often least able to access it.
Active-Duty Military
Veterans
Military Families
First Responders
Underserved Communities
Uninsured Individuals
Low-Income Families
Black & Hispanic Communities
Adults & Couples
Families & Adolescents
Caregivers
Helping Professionals
Care Model
A Care Model Built for Dignity
We do not believe people should have to prove suffering before receiving support. Our hybrid access model allows clients to select the pathway that best reflects their current capacity.
Community-Supported Access
For individuals facing the greatest barriers — no income verification required, no proof of hardship needed.
$0 – $40 per sessionMission-Aligned Rates
Reduced nonprofit rates for individuals with some capacity to pay, helping sustain services for those with none.
Reduced Nonprofit RateStandard Professional Rates
For individuals able to pay full rates — your payment directly funds access for others in your community.
Full Rate · Fund Others
Why TERC
We Do More Than Provide Services.
We Do More Than Provide Services.
We Build Access.
Four pillars set TERC apart from traditional mental health providers.
Community-Based Care
We meet people where they already feel safe — in community centers, faith spaces, telehealth platforms, and trusted local partnerships. No clinical waiting room required.
Trauma-Informed Support
Every provider at TERC practices through a trauma-informed lens, recognizing that past experiences shape present struggles and that healing requires safety first.
Culturally Responsive Practice
We honor the cultural contexts of every person we serve — including faith traditions, family values, and community norms — integrating theology and psychology where appropriate.
Volunteer & Sponsor-Powered
Our model relies on licensed providers volunteering clinical hours and sponsors funding community access — turning collective generosity into real healing for real people.
Need Immediate Help?
TERC does not provide emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, please reach out to crisis support right now — help is available 24/7 and it's free.
📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
💬 Text 741741 Crisis Text Line
Ready to Take the First Step?
Whether you need support, want to give, or want to serve — there is a place for you at TERC. Healing begins with one courageous step.
