LUTHERAN COUNSELING AND FAMILY SERVICES OF WISCONSIN INC

Lutheran Counseling & Family Services of Wisconsin (LCFS) is a non-profit, state licensed outpatient mental health care agency and adoption service provider, serving the State of Wisconsin. Our licensed therapists, psychologists and social workers provide counseling to children, individuals, and families regardless of race, ethnic background, or religious affiliation.

Its origin dates back to 1896, when the agency's main focus was to assist and protect orphaned, homeless or neglected children in the greater Milwaukee area under the name of the Evangelical Lutheran Kinderfreund Society of Wisconsin. By 1928 over 1900 children had been cared for and given the opportunity to thrive and prosper with a loving beginning and by 1941 that number grew to over 5000. In 1957 the agency began providing residential care for emotionally disturbed children. At that time, contracts were established with several counties and the State of Wisconsin to provide clinical psychiatric treatment at locations across the state. In the mid 1970's, the residential program was discontinued and the agency focused on providing day treatment for mental health issues for children and adults, family and marriage counseling, foster care and adoption services. Also at this time, additional services were added to address drug addiction treatment programs and counseling services for military veterans - a need arising based on Vietnam vets reintegrating back to civilian life.

In 1987 the named changed to Lutheran Counseling and Family Services (LCFS) to better reflect the agency's scope of care. Today, LCFS continues at 10 locations across Wisconsin to meet the needs of the times by providing essential counseling for mental health concerns, treatment for alcohol and substance abuse and addiction, helping veterans with PTSD and to readjust to civilian life, in-school counseling for troubled children and, of course, wide reaching adoption services.