The Refuge Center for Counseling

What The Refuge Center for Counseling does

The Refuge Center for Counseling is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community mental health center founded in 2005 by Amy Alexander, LMFT, and Jennifer Thames, LMFT, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, with a satellite office in Nashville. It delivers individual, couples, family, and child/teen counseling, supplemented by specialty modalities including neurofeedback, EMDR, Gottman Method couples therapy, play therapy (PCIT), art therapy, music therapy, and experiential therapies such as the Growth Lab group. The center serves over 4,200 individuals annually across more than 40,000 counseling sessions, with 98% of sessions delivered on a sliding scale ranging from $25 to $165 per session based on gross household income, supplemented by hardship scholarships; the organization does not bill insurance. Clinical capacity is supplied by more than 70 staff therapists, contract therapists, Post-Master's volunteers, and Master's level interns, supported by dedicated intake, EHR, and administrative functions.

The center's operating model is multi-revenue-stream: client session fees, individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (including APA Foundation and Change Your Brain Foundation), and fundraising events such as the annual Golf Invitational and the paid Catalyst training program. Distribution is driven by direct consumer scheduling (phone, in-person, telehealth restricted to Tennessee residents) and a referral network of more than 80 community partners including churches, attorneys, physicians, schools, Bridges Domestic Violence Center, Healing Housing, Williamson Health, and Williamson County DUI Court. Technology footprint is limited to a telehealth platform, a third-party client portal, and standard EHR tooling; there is no proprietary AI or developer-facing API.

Strategically, the organization completed a multi-year buildout into a permanent Franklin campus with purpose-built counseling and outdoor therapeutic spaces, opened a Nashville satellite, and is executing a $750,000 matching Capital Building Campaign while expanding into knowledge-transfer products (Catalyst) and specialty partnerships (Melodies for Minds with Amen Clinics). The leadership team, headed by CEO Be'Daun R. Smith, includes Clinical Director Anita H. Pringle (LPC-MHSP) and a deep bench of program directors overseeing interns, contract therapists, accessibility, groups/intensives, and grants.

Name

The Refuge Center for Counseling

Legal name

The Refuge Center for Counseling

Website

https://refugecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Refuge Center for Counseling is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community mental health center in Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, providing sliding-scale individual, couples, family, and child/teen counseling across more than 40,000 sessions annually to over 4,200 clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Counseling Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (62142), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outpatient Mental Health & Counseling Clinics (HLAFABAC), Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Mental health counseling
• Therapy services
• Sliding scale fees
• Couples therapy
• Family counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Franklin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Client Counseling Fees: Sliding scale fees ranging from $25 to $165 per therapy session based on household income. Does not bill insurance.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations supporting the nonprofit mission. Donations enable hardship scholarships and fill gaps in operating budget.
3. Event Revenue: Annual Golf Invitational fundraiser and Catalyst training events generate revenue and community engagement.
4. Grants: Margaret Owens serves as Grants Coordinator, securing grant funding to support operating budget.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Refuge Center for Counseling is a nonprofit community mental health center providing individual, couples, family, child/teen, and group therapy through licensed therapists trained in modalities such as the Gottman Method, EMDR, neurofeedback, art therapy, music therapy, play therapy (PCIT), and experiential therapies. Services are delivered in person at the Franklin headquarters and Nashville satellite office and via telehealth to Tennessee residents, on a sliding scale fee structure of $25 to $165 per session regardless of insurance status.

Product overview

The Refuge Center for Counseling operates as a community mental health center offering a comprehensive suite of therapeutic services centered around individual, couples, family, and child/teen counseling. The organization provides specialty services including neurofeedback therapy and experiential group programs (Growth Lab), alongside accessibility programs such as a sliding scale fee structure ($25-$165 per session) and hardship scholarships. The center also runs training programs including a Post-Master's Volunteer Fellowship (PMVF) and Master's Level Internship Program for developing therapists. Additional offerings include telehealth counseling, professional speaking services, and the Catalyst training event for organizations seeking to build counseling programs. All services are delivered by over 70 staff therapists, contract therapists, interns, and volunteers across two locations in Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Counseling One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a licensed therapist addressing mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, addiction, eating disorders, and life transitions. For individuals across all ages in Tennessee.
• Couples Counseling Therapy services for partners and married couples to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships, using approaches such as the Gottman Method and emotionally focused therapy. For couples in Tennessee.
• Family Counseling Therapeutic services involving family members to address relational dynamics, parent-child relationships, communication issues, blended family challenges, and family transitions. For families in Tennessee.
• Child and Teen Counseling Specialized mental health services for children and adolescents addressing anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, family transitions, and developmental challenges, including play therapy (PCIT) and other age-appropriate modalities. For children and teens in Tennessee.
• Neurofeedback Therapy Biofeedback-based treatment that trains clients to regulate brain activity, offered at $33 to $165 per session on the sliding scale. For clients seeking neurological regulation as part of their mental health care.
• Group Therapy and Intensives Facilitated group sessions addressing emotional and relational challenges, including specialty groups such as Wounded Hearts, yoga, art therapy, restorative movement, and other therapeutic group formats. For adult clients and non-clients in Tennessee.
• Growth Lab Experiential Group Sensory-based experiential therapy group incorporating water, fire, labyrinth, massage, art, music, and mindfulness activities for grounding, regulation, and self-care. For adult clients and the broader community at $10 per session for yoga, art therapy, and restorative movement.
• Telehealth Counseling Virtual therapy sessions offered to Tennessee residents, providing accessible mental health services remotely as an alternative to in-person visits.
• Intake Assessment Initial 50-minute appointment with an intake specialist to assess client needs, determine appropriate therapist matching, and establish sliding scale fee eligibility based on household income.
• Catalyst Training Event Two-day immersive training program priced at $500 per person, totaling 18 hours, equipping churches, non-profits, and counseling centers to build comprehensive counseling programs.
• Post-Master's Volunteer Fellowship (PMVF) Clinical training opportunity for post-master's individuals providing supervised experience, free group supervision, and continuing education toward licensure.
• Master's Level Internship Program Clinical internship opportunities for graduate counseling students providing supervised experience, continuing education, and meaningful work in a supportive environment.
• Professional Speaking Services Mental health education presentations delivered by staff for organizations, churches, workplaces, and community groups covering topics including anxiety, trauma, addiction, grief, suicide prevention, and related subjects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 4,200+ people annually with 40,000+ counseling sessions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Amen ClinicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Change Your Brain Foundation, The Refuge Center is an exclusive partner in the Melodies for Minds scholarship initiative where participants receive brain scans and SPECT treatment at Amen Clinics followed by counseling sessions at The Refuge Center.
• Bridges Domestic Violence CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefuge therapists provide group and individual counseling services for clients of Bridges Domestic Violence Center in Franklin, TN. Bridges serves women, men and children affected by domestic violence, ensuring safe transition to independent living.
• Change Your Brain FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished by Daniel Amen MD to support brain-imaging research and treatment funding. The Refuge Center is an exclusive partner in the Melodies for Minds scholarship fundraiser.
• Healing HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWilliamson County's first nonprofit sober living community for women healing from alcohol and drug addiction. Refuge provides ongoing counseling services to all program participants during their minimum six-month residency.
• Justice & Mercy InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based nonprofit working in Moldova and Brazil. Refuge provides emotional support for indigenous jungle pastors and their wives, and trauma care for orphans in Moldova transitional living facilities.
• Williamson HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional healthcare system working closely with Refuge as a proactive measure to provide mental health support for patients experiencing mental health and/or substance abuse crises in their emergency rooms.
• Williamson County DUI CourtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreatment program for offenders with DUI charges. DUI Court refers clients to Refuge for outpatient counseling services as part of the graduated treatment and supervision program.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Centerstone: One of the largest nonprofit community mental health providers in Tennessee, operating outpatient counseling, addiction services, and crisis care across the state. Directly comparable to Refuge as a Tennessee-based nonprofit CMHC serving broad populations with sliding-fee and grant-supported access.
• Mental Health Cooperative: Nashville-headquartered nonprofit providing outpatient mental health counseling, case management, and peer support across Middle Tennessee. Competes for the same therapist talent pool and serves overlapping client segments in the same geographic footprint.
• Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System: Tennessee-wide nonprofit behavioral health system offering outpatient counseling, crisis services, and addiction treatment. Closely matched operating model: nonprofit, multiple therapy modalities, community partnerships, sliding-fee access.

Emerging players

• Brightside Health: Online therapy and psychiatry provider focused on anxiety and depression with subscription pricing. A scaled online counseling player competing for the same direct-to-consumer mental health demand as Refuge.
• Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: National nonprofit network of therapists offering sessions at $30–$80 for uninsured and underinsured clients. Directly comparable to Refuge's sliding-scale, no-insurance access model and offers the only meaningful national benchmark for that positioning.
• Samaritan Counseling Center: Faith-rooted nonprofit counseling center offering sliding-scale individual, couples, and family therapy. Comparable to Refuge on mission, fee structure, and faith-affiliated community positioning, though smaller in scale and geographic footprint.
• Catholic Charities of Tennessee: Faith-based social services organization providing counseling, refugee case management, and family support across Tennessee. Comparable as a faith-rooted, nonprofit, donation-funded counseling provider serving similar demographics.

Broad incumbents

• Talkspace: Public telehealth therapy platform offering individual and couples counseling via subscription. Comparable as an online therapy incumbent that competes for telehealth-eligible Tennessee residents.
• BetterHelp: Largest direct-to-consumer online therapy platform, serving hundreds of thousands of clients nationally with subscription counseling. A scaled telehealth competitor operating in Refuge's telehealth delivery channel and target consumer base.

Others

• Healing Housing: Williamson County nonprofit sober living community that is a core referral partner of Refuge, providing integrated counseling services to its residents. Ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/therefugecenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheRefugeCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/therefugecenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-refuge-center-for-counseling
• Instagraminstagram.com/refugecenterforcounseling
• Pinterestpinterest.com/therefugecenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Refuge Center for Counseling