Northshore Youth and Family Services (NYFS) is offering free counseling sessions for victims and first responders of the downtown Bothell fire.

“We understand that people have suffered in many ways including psychologically and emotionally from the recent fire, and we want to support our community in the way we know best – by offering counseling,” said Debbie Farrar, NYFS Interim Executive Director.

“We want to offer our services at no charge to the first responders, including firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel, and victims including business owners who suffered losses or damage to their property and their employees who have been affected,” Farrar continued.

NYFS has been providing counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and at-risk youth since 1971.

“People respond to traumatic situations in many different ways and we want to help those who have adverse symptoms including depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping, or troubling managing their thoughts and reactions. When these devastating events happen, many people experience an uncertainty of the future. We want to help them gain stability again,” she said.

The July 22 fire heavily damaged the Bothell Mall and the adjacent Mercantile Building on 102nd Avenue Northeast and Main Street, including the Kozy Corner Café.

The fire crossed Main Street and damaged buildings, porches and landscaping between 102nd and 103rd on both sides of Main Street.