The Couples Institute
2003 marks the beginning of a new program initiative at the Samaritan Counseling Center-the Couples Institute. Though we have always provided services to couples, we have established the Couples Institute as a way of developing this as an area of specialization. We believe that investing in a more intensive focus on couples work will have a positive impact in the following areas:
·Establishing training and ongoing continuing education requirements for all therapists working with couples
·Developing intake and assessment procedures that are specific to couples therapy, based on the recognition that treating couples is qualitatively different from individual therapy
·Increasing enrichment opportunities for couples, i.e., educational presentations and seminars in churches and other community settings to promote healthy marriages and relationships
·Conducting research related to couples and developing a training program for other helping services professionals

The Couples Institute is comprised of a team of five couples therapists: James Hanna, D.Min.; Alta Landis, M.S.; Frank Stalfa, D.Min.; Betty Snapp-Barrett, M.S.; and Dean Clemmer, M.S. with Dean providing leadership for the program. We are grateful for a grant from the Oxford Foundation, which has enabled us to lay the groundwork for this new initiative.

We're excited about working toward our goal of becoming the preferred provider of services for couples in our area. We welcome your comments especially in ideas and opportunities for outreach related to the needs of couples based on your own personal experience or community involvement.

Transformational Leadership for Clergy
Transformational Leadership for Clergy (TLC) is a program designed to strengthen and sustain pastors by fostering the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and organizational leadership qualities necessary to guide the church in the midst of the complex cultural, political, institutional, economic and family systems in which it is located. This comprehensive one-year program includes a three-day opening retreat, four one-day workshops on the tasks of leadership, a two-day closing retreat, bi-weekly clergy cluster meetings, reflection time, and journalling. Clergy not participating in the TLC may elect to attend any of the four one-day workshops. For more information, click here or contact Jim Hanna at 717-560-9969.

Walking Together
Walking Together was established in 2003 as an outreach program of the Samaritan Counseling Center. It includes the voices and experiences of survivors as a valuable resource and teaching tool in its educational efforts. Regional conferences for survivors, supportive others and professionals are sponsored in conjunction with local agencies and non-profit organizations concerned with family violence. The program methodology places professional support offered to survivors within the context of accompaniment. . . to walk with someone who is suffering. It emphasizes safety, support and empowerment for the victim of violence and accountability for the perpetrator through professional intervention.

Walking Together provides specialized education and training to medical, therapeutic and religious communities on two key aspects of family violence: relationships with and healing for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; and female sexual abuse of children. Many professionals coming into regular contact with survivors have little understanding of these issues. Walking Together offers workshops ranging from 35-minute staff briefings to half-day seminars or conference keynote lectures. The program utilizes existing community resources for training on domestic violence, child abuse prevention and sexual assault for workshops in which participants desire to gain a deeper understanding of these issues.

The problem of family violence requires a collaborative, community based approach. Clergy, doctors and therapists often do not have the working relationships with key staff in agencies and non-profit organizations involved in day-to-day work with victims of violence. Walking Together serves as resource and referral hub to promote connection and communication among these constituencies. Periodic networking meetings between representatives of agencies and organizations with religious, medical and mental health professionals are sponsored by the program.

For more information, contact Linda Crockett at lcrockett@scclanc.org or via phone at 717-560-9969.

Educational Resources for Clergy and Congregations
Educational Resources for Medical Professionals
Educational Resources for the Mental Health Community
Groups