Samaritan Counseling Center names new director

The new executive director of Samaritan Counseling Center has been named.

Nancy Kirkpatrick succeeds Paige Metzgar, who relocated in 2011.

Kirkpatrick is a professional counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist with more than twenty years of counseling experience.  Her experience includes hospital, nonprofit clinic and Medicaid rehab, as well as in private practice. 

  In addition, Kirkpatrick has background in business administration, including strategic planning, management, sales and marketing and public relations.  She received a M.A. in General Counseling from Louisiana Tech University in 1992 and a B.A. in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University.

  "It was an extensive search that began March 2011," said Dr. Tim Hart, president of the Samaritan Board of Directors.   "The goal of the Search Committee was to find that person with the ability to increase awareness in the community and provide program development for this community's current needs. A business background was a true asset for the development of funding opportunities through grants and donations."

"I am excited to be involved in the new challenge of growing our Center and reaching out into the community," Kirkpatrick said.

The Center has provided professional, faith-based counseling to the Shreveport-Bossier City area since 1986 and provides more than 3,600 counseling hours each year.  More than 70% of clients are subsidized by fees, donations, and grants.  For more information about the Center, visit www.samaritanshreveport.org.