Columbia International University has been awarded a $420,000 grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of South Carolina to establish The Denny Terrace Mental Health Clinic in North Columbia near CIU’s Monticello Road campus.
This grant will enable CIU to address pressing mental health needs in one of the most underserved communities in the Midlands. In addition, the clinic will be operated by the CIU School of Counseling creating invaluable hands-on training opportunities for CIU counseling students, equipping them to integrate rigorous clinical preparation with the heart of ministry.
CIU has the largest master’s degree in clinical counseling in South Carolina that is accredited by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs).
Dr. Seth Scott, the director of the Graduate Counseling Division, says the Denny Terrace Community Clinic fulfills a 30‑year vision launched with the Master of Arts in Counseling program.
“The School of Counseling exists to cultivate kingdom impact by equipping disciples who counsel, teach, and train, and this clinic is where that calling becomes tangible — providing high‑quality clinical counseling, mental health education, and collaborative care for the whole person in an underserved area of Richland County.”
The counseling clinic is in partnership with Sandhills Community Church and will be headquartered at the church’s location, 6324 Dorchester Street. There is no comparable mental health facility in the 29203-zip code.
Research shows households in the 29203-zip code and the Denny Terrace community are among the most medically and economically vulnerable households in South Carolina and in the nation. A full 28% of the households in the 29203-zip code are below the poverty line. Additionally, the community faces some of the highest diabetes-related amputation rates in the nation. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a strong bi-directional link between diabetes and mental health: when mental health improves, physical health outcomes often improve as well. Yet mental health care remains inaccessible to many in this community.
The clinic will provide a free/sliding fee scale and telehealth and in-person options with the capacity to see almost 200 clients each week when fully staffed. It’s expected to open by summer 2026.
Founded in 1923, Columbia International University is private, Christian and multidenominational. With over 3,200 students studying on campus or online, CIU specializes in Bible-centered professional development that prepares students to impact the nations with the message of Christ in ministry, missions and the marketplace. CIU is recognized for its emphasis on biblical authority and world evangelization. www.ciu.edu
