Cassandra Bookert McClain, MA, LPC, LPCS/C
Coordinator, Clinic for Counseling and Assessment
The Counseling and Rehabilitation Program is launching a new Clinic for Counseling and Assessment (CCA), to provide free care for those in South Carolina with limited access to counseling services either because of gaps in service, financial and insurance concerns, or their location in a rural community.
The student-operated, faculty-directed clinic aims at the start to alleviate the shortage of providers for rural residents in Orangeburg county, with the plan to expand out to Bamberg, Calhoun, Fairfield, and Chester counties. It also will provide a practicum opportunity for students in the program with a goal of developing and maintaining a pipeline of counselors who stay and work in their communities.
We're able to give back to the community by offering services, providing resources and addressing the needs of those who may fall through the cracks, while also training our students. We can harness the passion of our students with a built-in training opportunity to offer service to their communities.
Professor Taryn Richardson,Ph.D., CRC, NCC, Practicum and Internship Coordinator
Funded by a grant from the South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Health Care, the clinic will offer some in-person services and will also use Palmetto Care Connections HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform to expand its reach and impact.
Internships are sourced through partnerships with state agencies, hospitals, community organizations, advocacy centers, and care providers.
Community & Referral FAQ
The Clinic for Counseling and Assessment (CCA) is a mental health counseling and assessment clinic operated by the faculty and staff of the USC School of Medicine Columbia (SCOMC). Services are provided by master’s-level counseling students in their clinical training, under the supervision of licensed clinical faculty. The clinic offers free, accessible services to individuals and families in rural South Carolina communities.
The clinic aims to serve children, teens, adults, couples, and families from rural counties with mild to moderate mental health care needs. The clinic will launch in Orangeburg County starting in 2026 and will announce when it expands into other areas of the state.
The CCA can support individuals experiencing:
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Stress, and anxiety, or depression
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Adjustment-related
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Life transitions or grief
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Relationship or family concerns
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School or academic concerns
All services at the CCA are free of charge.
No referral is required. Community members may self-refer by calling or emailing the clinic. We also welcome
referrals from:
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Schools
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Medical providers
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Case managers
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Social service agencies
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Faith-based organizations
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Community partners
Yes. Telehealth options are available for counseling services based on client location
and clinical appropriateness.
Frequently Asked Questions for Students
Students participate in the CCA by serving as Counselors-in-Training (CITs) or GA’s during their practicum or internship experience.
Yes, especially if you are passionate about:
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Rural mental health access
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Workforce and career development issues
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Community-based counseling
Our mission centers on serving underrepresented and underserved populations across South Carolina. If you’re motivated to promote equitable access to mental and behavioral health services, you’re a strong match for the CCA.
Students in the CCA are expected to demonstrate an overall commitment to personal and professional development while upholding the mission of providing high-quality, community-based services across rural South Carolina.
Students are expected to:
- Maintain a consistent weekly schedule that fulfills both academic requirements and the needs of the CCA.
- Demonstrate reliability by being punctual, prepared, and consistently present for appointments and responsibilities.
- Attend weekly clinical supervision with qualified supervisors.
- Participate in group seminars, staff meetings, and professional development offered by the university or partner sites.
- Engage in outreach and educational activities that promote mental health in rural communities.
- Maintain clear professional boundaries and adhere to ethical guidelines.
- Demonstrate cultural responsiveness, especially when working with rural or underserved populations.
- Handle sensitive information with discretion and follow all privacy laws and ethical standards.
Our People
Christine Sacco-Bene, Ph.D., LMHC (FL), LPC (VA), CRC, NCC
Counseling and Rehabilitation Program Director
Taryn Richardson, Ph.D., CRC, NCC
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neuropsychiatry & Behavioral Science