Company Name: The Refuge Center for Counseling
Industry: Nonprofit Counseling Center
Location: Franklin, TN
Services Used: PEO
The Client
The Refuge Center for Counseling is a nonprofit organization in Franklin, Tennessee, dedicated to offering excellent, accessible, and affordable mental and emotional health services. Founded in 2005, The Refuge Center has grown into a robust organization with more than 40 staff members, 26 contract therapists, and 20 interns each semester, all working together to make a transformational impact in the community.
The Refuge Center provides compassionate and affordable counseling for individuals, couples, and families. The center relies on a team of passionate professionals and trusted partners, like LBMC Employment Partners. Our collaboration allows The Refuge Center team to operate efficiently, so they can stay focused on their mission.
The Opportunity
Like many growing nonprofits, The Refuge Center’s staff members often wear multiple hats. As the organization expanded, the need for stronger HR systems and compliance support became increasingly clear. The Refuge Center partnered with LBMC Employment Partners in 2021 to streamline HR functions through our PEO model.
When Operations Manager Megan Owens joined the organization in 2024, she began fully leveraging the partnership with LBMC EP. “Before, we were really just scratching the surface,” Megan said. “Now, we’re using their expertise to its full capacity—for compliance, employee relations, and more.”
The Impact
Collaborating with LBMC Employment Partners has led to significant improvements across the organization. With the guidance of their LBMC EP representative, The Refuge Center developed its first comprehensive employee handbook—a milestone achievement in the organization’s 20th year. The partnership has also strengthened The Refuge Center’s compliance practices, helping them establish clear systems for managing HR operations.
Instead of becoming overwhelmed and buried in daily administrative tasks, Operations Manager Megan Owens and her team can now focus on strategic goals and mission-driven initiatives.
Beyond operational efficiency, our partnership has given the organization renewed confidence in its HR processes. The Refuge Center team also knows they have a reliable partner who understands their mission, values, and culture—and is always available to offer expert guidance when it matters most.
Client Testimonial
“LBMC Employment Partners has truly been an invaluable partner. As a nonprofit, we have to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, and LBMC EP has helped us do just that. They provide the HR and compliance expertise we need so our team can focus on supporting our staff and serving our community. It’s a one-stop HR shop that gives us ease, confidence, and peace of mind.”
– Megan Owens, Operations Manager, The Refuge Center for Counseling
