Take the First Step...
First Step Services, LLC
Se Habla Espanol

211 Six Forks Road, Building B , Suite 117,
Raleigh, NC 27609
820 Benson Road, Suite D,
Garner, NC 27529

Phone: (919) 833-8899 
Fax: (919) 833-8894 for both locations
Phone (919) 614-2506 for services in Spanish

Mental Health Counseling
Alcohol Abuse Counseling - Drug Abuse Counseling
Individual and Group Counseling - Family & Couples Counseling
DOT Evaluations - DMV Evaluations
North Carolina - DWI Assessments and Groups
Supervision for Provisional LCSW, CSAC, CCAS, & CCS Interns

Call or e-mail for information

             
 
MENU

Home

Counseling Services

NC DWI Information:
DWI Assessments, Classes, Groups, Other DWI Information , DWI Alcohol & Drug Assessments and Treatment

Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program

Classes and Group Counseling for Substance Abuse & DWI

Owner Profile

Why Choose First Step?

Links, News and Articles about substance abuse & recovery 

Pictures of our Facility

DWI INFO

What happens when someone is arrested for DWI in North Carolina?

What happens if I am convicted of DWI?

What is a DWI Assessment? Do I have to get one? 

What is a drunk driving class and why are some of them called groups?

The drunk driving process

"I only had a couple." How much alcohol does it take to be considered "impaired?"

OTHER INFO

Drink Wheel -- How much alcohol does it take to be "impaired?"

Monitech Ignition Interlock Systems

How the Breathalyzer Works

NC DMV DWI Laws

 

  • Alcohol Abuse
  • Drug Abuse
  • Substance Abuse Groups
  • Family Issues
  • Depression
  • Anxiety/Panic
  • Couples Counseling
  • Hypnotherapy
  • DWI Assessments
  • DOT Evaluations
  • DMV Evaluations
  • DWI Groups
  • Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Single Session Therapy, Substance Abuse Counseling, Family Counseling Concerning Alcohol and Drug Use

    First Step offers several proven interventions and treatments based on client need and preference. This is usually determined during the first session. However, First Step believes that assessing client needs and wishes is an ongoing process. If a type of therapy is chosen during the first session, it can be changed if the needs of the client indicate that it should be changed. First Step treat a variety of discomforts and problems with sensitivity and compassion.

    Many clients neither want nor need long-term counseling. Brief Solution-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Single Session Therapy are designed to meet the needs of clients who are looking for changes in their lives without having to commit to many months or even years of therapy. However, there are some problems that may be more deeply rooted and need other types of therapy which may require more time.

    Couples and Marital Counseling

    Many couples struggle with communication problems, resentments, feeling trapped and other difficulties that come with long-term relationships. Many times couples need a sounding-board to begin working out problems. Other times they need more direct advice on handling situations. A counselor can provide the skills necessary in resolving these problems.  This can usually be achieved in a few counseling sessions. 

    Brief Solution Focused Therapy

    The theory behind this therapy is that clients are already doing something right. Some things are already working and the goal is to identify them and help the client learn to do more of what is working now. Brief  Solution Focused Therapy is usually completed in no more than 6 sessions which are 50 minutes long.

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    Often clients have self-defeating thoughts and beliefs that hold them back. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) identifies thoughts and beliefs that contribute to our bad feelings, stress, inability to succeed, and substance use. Once these thoughts and beliefs are identified, they can be changed to ones that lead to a more fulfilling life. CBT goals are usually accomplished in 5 to 10 sessions.

    Single Session Therapy

    Single-Session Therapy helps clients and families who have a specific problem they want to resolve. The session is usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours long and deals only with the problem at hand. Often the client has an idea of the answer to the problem but needs to process it and receive professional feedback and input.

    Substance Abuse Counseling

    Abuse of alcohol and drugs causes a person’s life to be out of control. Substance abuse causes a number of financial, family, relationship, employment and personal problems. It is also a very personal situation that requires sensitivity and professional assistance. If the client is motivated CBT or Solution Focused Therapy may be used. If the client has not accepted that he or she is ready to change, a more motivational type therapy is used.

    Customers who want a group program instead of, or in addition to, individual sessions can attend the 12, 20, 40, 90 or more outpatient programs at First Step.

    DWI Assessments and Treatment

    Short term groups are 20 hours and intermediate-term groups are 40 hours. Groups a client is assigned to is determined by the assessment. The assessment is required by law of all who are convicted of DWI. If it is your first DWI arrest and your Breathalyzer reading was .14 or less, you may qualify for ADETS, which is only 10 hours. Call today for information.

    Alcohol and Drug Counseling

    If you have been using alcohol or drugs and it has become a problem for you or someone you care about, you might want to talk with a professional counselor, If alcohol or drugs are causing you any type of problem such as getting into arguments with family or friends, job difficulties, DWI, or having hangovers, it is especially important to get help.

    First Step uses a motivational model to help you not only end the problem drug or alcohol use but also to help you become a more self-confident person who is able to achieve your chosen goals in life. Alcohol and drug counseling might be the First Step in getting your life back on track. I use a variety of proven therapy models including 12-Step support facilitation, "Motivational Enhancement Therapy," "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy," and "Stages of Change" group therapy to assist people who want to quit using alcohol and drugs.

    First Step provides individual and group substance abuse and counseling services. Substance Abuse groups range from as few as 16 hours up to 90 or more hours, depending on your need. Prices and schedules are flexible. Alcohol, drug, and DWI Groups range from 20 - 90 hours. Another agency provides the ADETS according to state regulations.

    Family Counseling and Couples Counseling for Alcohol and Drug Use Concerns

    Sometimes the First Step is for the family to reach out. The family asking for help might be just the thing that gets the alcohol or drug abuser to change their ways. The person using alcohol or drugs might not be ready to quit. However, there is something the family can do to help. If you have reached your bottom, you might just be ready to help him or her to make changes. Contact First Step Services, LLC for more information on how to help an alcohol or drug user.

    Protected material -- do not reprint without written permission

     
    MISSION
    The Mission of Henry Tarkington MSW, LCSW, CCAS, CCS and First Step Services, LLC is to provide quality alcohol abuse, drug abuse and mental health services to those who need them at a price they can afford.
    DIRECTIONS

    From Downtown Raleigh:

  • Start out going east on E Marin St toward S Wilmington St. 0.05 miles
  • Turn Left onto S Wilmington. 0.09 miles
  • Turn left onto E Hargett St. 0.21 miles
  • Turn Right onto S McDowell St/ NC-50 N/ US-401 N. Continue to follow US-401 N. 1.90 miles
  • Turn slight right onto ramp. 0.40 miles
  • Stay straight to go onto Wake Forest Rd. 1.15 miles
  • Turn left onto E SIX FORKS RD. 0.39 mile
  • From North Raleigh & Wake Forest Road:

  • Start out going south on Wake Forest Rd. toward Navaho Dr. 0.69 miles
  • Turn right onto E SIX FORKS RD. 0.39 miles
  • From North Raleigh and Six Forks Road:

  • Follow Six Forks Road south, inside the beltline (1/2 mile from the Beltline), past the Anderson Drive intersections.
  • 211 Six Forks is on the left side of the street. To enter into the office condominiums,
  • Turn left onto Plantation Road and take the first driveway on the left.
  • Building “B” is the first building on the right hand side. Suite 117 is on the first floor in the corner suite.

    Garner Location:

  • Take US 70 To Garner
  • Going east from Raleigh toward Garner, take a right on to Highway 50. From Clayton, take the Highway 50 exit, loop around and turn to the right.
  • Follow Highway 50 (Benson Road) for about 1/2 mile. 820 is on the right, beside the medical building at 800 Benson Road. Take the next driveway after passing the medical building. The parking lot is surrounded by the medical building parking lot.
  • From Fuquay Varina take Hwy 42 east and turn left onto Highway 50. 820-D is on the left side of the road, just before the medical building with the big "800" on the front.


  • Plenty of Free, Safe Parking