LYONS CLINICAL COUNSELING SERVES COMMUNITY NEARLY TWO DECADES

Lyons Clinical Counseling

618-545-0770

1065 M.L.K. Jr Dr, Centralia, IL

Opening in 2007, Lyons Clinical Counseling has been a trusted resource for children, couples and adults for almost two decades.

Ran predominantly by licensed clinical social worker, Ron Lyons, who opened the business with his brother, Dr. Roger Lyons, LPC, Lyons Clinical Counseling was a leap of faith turned community tentpole.

Ron Lyons said it was near the end of his tenure with One Hope United, then Huddleston Baptist Children’s Home, that he decided to take a stab at going into business with his brother, who was already practicing at separate location in Harrisburg.

“I was with One Hope United, then Huddleston, for 14 years,” recalled Lyons. “I had the opportunity to study at the University of Illinois, and I saw that as an opportunity to go for my master’s degree. I wanted to learn more and do more.”

“My brother Roger and I had been having all of these clinical conversations while he was getting his PhD, and later his doctoral degree,” Lyons continued. “We would talk psychology, and at some point, we thought it would be great to work together.”

Lyons opened the Centralia practice one year after he obtained his master’s and worked part-time at Lutheran Child Family Services while growing his client base.

“That was a good situation for a few years, but I eventually decided it was time to give [the practice] my full attention. I thought, ‘whatever happens, happens,” Lyons said. “It’s amazing because when I quit there, I didn’t know what was going to happen or if I would be okay. But at that point everything seemed to be improving and rising, and I was getting more clients and more work.”

In the years that followed, Lyons went on to build a wide group of clients between the ages five to 80 that continues to grow to this day.

“I work with kids as young as five-years-old who are having difficulties. We have a playroom, and they may bring some of their own stuff, and we work them and see how they’re behaving and why the might be having their issue. And, of course, a lot of that work will be with the parents as well.”

“I also work with couples in marital situations, and individuals, for a number of issues,” Lyons continued. “I also test, beginning age six all the way up to 80. I use a computer battery test for ADHD, which is a very objective kind of testing that can help determine what is really going on with someone, whether it is really ADHD or something else.”

A local musician and consistent volunteer at the Centralia Balloon Fest and other community events, Lyons said he has enjoyed his years at the clinic and has appreciated his time in Centralia since arriving in 1972.

 “I sit in here every day, and I can’t believe that this has turned into what it has turned into. I just love what I do,” said Lyons. “I’m very grateful that I’m accepted in the community for who I am and what I do.”