By RYAN ROBINSON | For the Independent

As a child, Georgann Falotico wanted to be a dancer.

That passion stuck with her through the years. After spending a few years learning about accounting, Falotico turned back to her childhood hobby and decided to pursue dance therapy.

Eventually the idea of dance therapy became the idea of standard therapy. Falotico stuck with it and earned a master’s degree in psychology from Antioch University Seattle. Afterwards, she started a private practice in Poulsbo.

Throughout her career, Falotico became increasingly aware that not everyone in need of counseling could afford it. Many people that wanted and needed therapy could not get it because they were under financial stress.

That led her to found Eagle’s Wing Counseling Center in collaboration with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bremerton.

“There just needed to be a place like this,” Falotico said. She wasn’t kidding.

Throughout the three years the center has existed, it has been very busy. With Harrison Medical Center often referring patients to the counseling center, the wait list was usually lengthy, she said.

“Now that the Affordable Care Act is out, we haven’t had as many clients,” Falotico said. “Still, even with the Affordable Care Act, insurance doesn’t cover everything for everyone.”

The organization is staffed entirely by licensed therapists and counselors. These members volunteer their time to Eagle’s Wing Counseling when they can — many have their own private practices as well.

Falotico said the counseling center wants to attain a non-profit status, although, ironically, they can’t afford the process.

“We don’t really ask around for donations,” Falotico explained, “because people can’t write it off as a donation on their taxes.”

“That doesn’t mean we’ll turn your donations away,” she added, laughing.

Their clients are allowed to set their own prices as well as their own appointments.

Prices are set on a sliding scale of $1 to $30 based on need, said Falotico, though the center is willing to offer counseling for free if their clients can’t afford to spend anything at all.

Regardless of what price they pay, all clients are asked to pay it forward by giving an hour or two of their time for community service.

“We’re still working on writing the mission statement right now,” she said, “but I would say that our goal is to improve the world by improving and helping individuals. We want to make the changes that need to be made.”

Eagle’s Wing Counseling is open seven days a week.

Their office is located in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 600 Callahan Drive in Bremerton. They can be reached at 360-377-0706.

Reporter Ryan Robinson served as an intern at the Bremerton Patriot and Central Kitsap Reporter this summer.