Responses to NCCB
Priestly Life and Ministry Survey

CONSULTATION AND TREATMENT CENTERS FOR CLERGY (Information provided in this survey has been updated as of July, 2004 to include the most current data about the St. Louis Consultation Center, such as our new web address, expanded aftercare services, and additional staff.)

Institution Name: St. Louis Consultation Center
Address: 1100 Bellevue
St. Louis, Missouri 63117
Phone: 314-647-0070
E-mail: slcc@accessus.net
Web Site: http://www.stlconsult.org

Who operates the program?

The St. Louis Consultation Center is an independent organization staffed by men and women including seven religious with advanced degrees who are licensed to practice in their specific field (psychology, chemical dependency, social work) or who have received extensive training (spiritual direction) in their area of expertise.

List key staff:

• Paul M. Midden, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist: Clinical Director
  
• Patricia Cashman, MA, LPC: Group Psychotherapist, Aftercare Coordinator
  
• Rev. James Schroeder, SCJ, Ph.D.; Sister Jean Meier, CSJ, Psy.D; Stephanie Moergen, Ph.D.;
  
• Marjorie Kukor, Ph.D.: Group and Individual Psychotherapists
  
• Jack L. Croughan, M.D.; Andrew T. Pickens, M.D.: Consulting Psychiatrists
  
• Michael R. Pollard, Licensed Clincial Social Worker: Psychoeducational Skills Workshops Coordinator
• Suzanne Harvath, Ph.D.; Rev. John Fontana, OSM; Sister Jean Meier, CSJ, Psy. D.; Sister Georgianne Wildhaber, SSND: Psychoeducational Skills Workshops
  
• Sister Sandy Bay, SSND; Rev. John Fontana, OSM.; Rev. Ralph Huse, SJ; Sister Joan Pitlyk, CSJ: Spiritual Directors
  

Clients:

_x_Diocesan Clergy
_x_Men Religious
_x_Women Religious

Is the program? _x_Outpatient ___Day Treatment

What problems do you treat?

_x_ Alcoholism
_x_ Difficult Personalities
_x_ Anxiety
_x_ Drug Abuse
_x_ Boundary issues
_x_ Eating Disorders
_x_ Compulsive sexual behavior
___Pedophilia/ephebophilia
_x_ Sexual identity issues
_x_ Compulsive gambling/debt
_x_ Sexual problems
_x_ Vocational issues
_x_ Chronic interpersonal problems
_x_ Other: (Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder,
Post-Tramautic Stress)
_x_ Depression

Particular clinical specialties: (i.e. drug addiction, eating disorders)

Depression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors (gambling, alcoholism, excessive spending, overeating, sexual addiction), other sexual difficulties (sexual identity conflicts, romantic involvements, pornography use), vocational conflicts, and chronic interpersonal problems. Also Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder arising from early physical or sexual abuse or other causes.

Do you accept insurance? __x__Yes ____No

If yes, what kind of companies will pay for your treatment and portions of overall cost? These vary widely, with some insurance companies paying all or part of the costs of treatment. It is our policy to work with the diocese or community to maximize third party reimbursement.

What are the components of the program?

The core program includes weekly individual spiritual direction, intensive group work, individual psychotherapy, and psychoeducational/skills training workshops. These workshops cover a wide variety of topics germane to treatment, such as communication skills improvement, stress management, leadership, sexuality, and spirituality. Specific programming is tailored to meet the needs of each participant (e.g., for those with sexual issues, a sexual health group meets weekly; for addictive behaviors, weekly twelve-step meetings are required) Follow-up after completion of the program includes an on-site re-entry conference facilitated by a staff member and a two-year aftercare program. (See section on Aftercare for specific details.)

Is there a comprehensive assessment? _x_Yes ___No

What are the components?

Input from the referring leadership regarding reasons for the evaluation is requested in the initial contact. The assessment includes an in-depth clinical interview, a battery of psychological tests including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Revised (MMPI-2); Edwards Personal Preference Schedule; Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, Revised (MCMI-III); Rorschach Inkblot; the Shipley Institute of Living Scale (an IQ screen); interview with an experienced spiritual director; psychosocial history and interview with a licensed professional social worker. Medical evaluations are utilized on an as-needed basis only or when specifically requested.

What is the cost of the assessment program?

Approximately $1,400.

How long does it take?

Four days, usually beginning on Monday when possible.

Is there an aftercare, follow-up program? _x_Yes ___No

What does it include?

A written detailed description of ongoing measures needed to build on gains made during treatment is provided at the departure conference. A re-entry workshop is held one to three months (depending on assignment) following departure from the program. It is facilitated by the participant's therapist from the Consultation Center and allows the person to share experiences, needs, and commitments with his superior and other significant people of his/her choice. Monthly telephone contact with an aftercare staff member is maintained until the participant returns for the first aftercare workshop. Each client returns to the St. Louis Consultation Center for a three-day workshop every six-months for a two-year period. Return visits may be extended, depending on the decision of the referring Bishop or Superior, staff of the center, and client. For those clients residing in or near the St. Louis metropolitan area, ongoing weekly group therapy is available through the Center. These groups are open to any member of the clergy or member of a religious community who has participated in a therapeutic treatment program.

Does your program have a way to keep track of success and failure in the program?

We maintain ongoing assessment mechanisms both during the program and in the Aftercare segment. We also periodically survey those who refer clients to our program to solicit input regarding the effectiveness of the program and to evaluate our clients' progress after the two-year aftercare program ends.

How long does it usually take to admit someone for evaluation?

Because we are an outpatient center and do not have the problem with limited availability, a person can be admitted immediately for evaluation in an emergency situation. Admission to the program is similarly flexible. We work to avoid waiting lists and generally have the ability to do so.

How long does the program usually take? Six months

What kind of written or oral contact occurs with the Bishop or Religious Superior at the beginning, during and after the evaluation and treatment?

We request a written letter describing the problem(s) prior to the week of assessment. The Bishop, Religious Superior, or a representative is strongly encouraged to attend the evaluation feedback session during which time recommendations for addressing the problems are made. The Bishop or Superior receives copies of various assessments following the evaluation. These are usually sent within ten business days. As we encourage collaboration in the process, we welcome ongoing contact throughout the process. Once a client enters the program, the following contact with the Bishop or Religious Superior occurs: An initial letter is sent inviting the Ordinary or Religious Superior to participate in the treatment process at a level he or she deems appropriate. At minimum, we prepare an interim report at the midpoint of treatment and conduct a discharge conference at the end. We routinely schedule interim treatment conferences if so desired.

How much experience has the center had treating clergy and religious?

The St. Louis Consultation Center has been in existence for over ten years, during which time our client population has been exclusively clergy, men and women religious, seminarians, and deacons. Dr. Paul Midden, the Clinical Director, has worked exclusively with clergy and religious for many years, having worked as Clinical Director of a residential treatment center for priests and religious for nine years. In addition, other staff members have had extensive experience in this specialized area.

Is your staff knowledgeable and respectful of Roman Catholic issues on morality?

How is this concern incorporated into your treatment program for clergy and religious? All treatment decisions at the Consultation Center are made in a way which respects the doctrine and moral positions of the Catholic Church. It is our belief that behavioral goals must be consistent with the beliefs of the Church, and that any compromise in this regard compromises the integrity of the client. We utilize the services of a canon lawyer when appropriate.

Please describe the spiritual component of your program.

We consider this aspect of the program essential for healing. Scheduled meetings occur once a week between the spiritual director and client; however, our spiritual directors avail themselves to meet more often at a client's request. Daily participation in the liturgy is strongly encouraged. As noted above, all of our spiritual directors have received specialized training in this field. They are also fully participating members of the treatment team.

What is your institution's connection with the Catholic Church?

Over fifty Roman Catholic dioceses of varying sizes and as many religious communities from across the country utilize the services of the St. Louis Consultation Center. The program is specialized in that all treatment is undertaken in accordance with the official positions of the Catholic Church, and compliance with those positions is required.

Contact persons: For a confidential consultation regarding a possible admission, contact Dr. Paul Midden. To schedule an evaluation or request information about the St. Louis Consultation Center, contact Kathy Howard. They may be reached at 314-647-0070.

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