In our Celebration Corner this week, Greta D. Sweesy, LCSW, celebrates her new office located at 123 East Elm in Prescott. In addition to the history and beauty of the building itself, Greta’s new location offers expanded hours and other accommodations for clients. The opening of this new space is the culmination of many years’ hard work, as well as the realization of her longtime dream of owning and operating her very own practice.
Greta is known by many in the community for her welcoming presence and compassionate nature, as well as her many years’ experience in social work and counseling. Her work with Hospice, geropsychiatry, and private practice has provided her a background in all forms of counseling with a special interest in grief/loss, life changes/transitions, chronic health conditions, depression, and anxiety. She says she has always known she wanted a career in social work and counseling and felt a calling at a young age. “I just want people to feel better,” Greta says. “Promoting positive emotional health is equally as important as one’s physical health.” Greta also says it’s important that counseling be tailored to the individual. “Every person is different, so a counseling plan should reflect what works for the individual. Some people might benefit from once-a-month visits, some once a week. Some people might need to work on a huge change in their lives, others might just need a sounding board. Sometimes, a person just needs someone who is objective to hear his or her story. We all have a story to tell.”
She says she is proud to be able to provide services in the community which has supported her for many years. “Prescott has been so good to me,” Greta says. “The Nevada County Health Unit has the most wonderful people, Dr. Young’s great staff has been like a family to me, and so many of the families I’ve worked with over the years have been extremely open and loving. Prescott is a very community-oriented town, and I knew it was the place for me.”
The building housing her new location has a pertinent history for Prescott, as well. 123 East Elm is where the Prescott Daily News and Nevada News used to reside, and one can still see remnants of the original printing press inside. She recalls visiting the newspaper as a young girl. Being an avid history buff, she and husband Keith decided to preserve as much of the community’s antiquity as possible while remodeling the building. Almost everything inside the office is a repurposed piece of some kind. There are ceiling tiles and a window from Guthries, two doors from the old Nevada County Courthouse, wood from the old Gurdon School, and more items which have been lovingly preserved and put to use again. They’ve been working on the building for almost three years, and Keith says all the work has been worth it because he believes no one is more worthy of this accomplishment than his wife, Greta. “She does everything she can to help anybody who needs it,” Keith says. “It’s been a long road to get this together, but she deserves it. It’s great to see her practice and the clientele grow. I’m so proud of her.”
Greta’s amiable personality and ability to put others instantly at ease has made her a favorite among clients and others in the community. She says working with her clients doesn’t feel like work at all. “I love what I do,” Greta says. “This is my happy place.” She encourages everyone to take that step and make the call should anyone feel overwhelmed or just need somebody to listen. She also says that even if she can’t take insurance for a potential client, or if she feels the person would benefit from another type of counselor, she will still help that client find what is right for him or her. “If a person is hurting or feeling bad enough to call a therapist, they are ready to seek counseling, and I won’t leave anyone without help,” she says. “If I can’t provide what’s needed, I will find someone who will.” With this type of dedication, one can see Greta has many more years of success coming her way, and she will continue to do what she does best: help others in need.
Greta D. Sweesy, LCSW, is located at 123 East Elm. She offers in-office sessions and video telehealth. Her office accepts Medicare, BCBS, some other private insurances, and also private pay for those without insurance. Call 8707035740 for inquiries.
interior of The Nevada News and Prescott Daily News office during the late 1920's. The people shown are members of the Tye Johnson Family, longtime publishers of these papers. 1920s
ceiling tiles from Guthries
Doors from the old Nevada County Courthouse
Remnants of the printing press
interior of The Nevada News and Prescott Daily News office during the late 1920's. The people shown are members of the Tye Johnson Family, longtime publishers of these papers. 1920s
Original wood block left from Prescott news and Nevada News
The Nevada News and Prescott Daily News office during the late 1920's. The people shown are members of the Tye Johnson Family, longtime publishers of these papers. 1920s
Pocket Park next to the new ofice
