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  e-connect newsletter                                                         8.24.15
Feature: 

Richard Blackburn,
Lombard Mennonite
Peace Center
Executive Director
The Center to host a nationally renowned expert in mediation and conflict resolution, Richard Blackburn

The Center is pleased to announce Richard Blackburn, an expert in mediation and conflict resolution, will facilitate a one-day workshop, Leadership and Anxiety in the Church, in Des Moines on November 5, 2015. 

Richard Blackburn is the executive director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, where he has served since 1984. He is an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church, and served ten years as chairperson of the Peace and Justice Committee of the Mennonite Church. 

Prior to this position, Richard taught art history at Trinity College, Goshen College, and Northern Illinois University. Richard has led hundreds of workshops on conflict transformation and mediation skills. 

"This is an amazing opportunity to learn from one of the most well respected experts in the field of conflict transformation," said Diane McClanahan, director of Institute for the Practice of Ministry at the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center. "Sign up now!"

The Center in the news and community: 
  • Executive director Ellery Duke will participate in a community conversation about suicide prevention, Wednesday, August 26, 2015. The public is welcome. Read more.
  • Clinical director Michele Lukacik advises how family and friends can watch for signs of depression in returned veterans, on WHO channel 13 TV. See video.
Save the date

       

      18th Annual Women Helping Women Luncheon

       May 13, 2016

       11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

       Embassy Suites downtown by the river


 
      Proceeds will support quality counseling for girls and 

       women with limited resources. Watch for more

       information. 

 

      Sign up to receive regular event updates here. 

   Meet the staff:

Kathe Irvine, L.M.S.W.
The Center maintains a comprehensive roster of clinical staff to assist clients by providing comprehensive psychological services, including a psychiatrist and a psychiatric physician assistant.

To highlight each one's expertise, we're pleased to present a "meet the staff" feature here and in our social media outreach. 

Kathe Irvine, LMSW, is a licensed master social worker. She earned her undergraduate degree in sociology and women's studies from the University of Northern Iowa and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. Kathe provides counseling and psychotherapy to individuals as well as couples and families. She is trained trauma sensitive yoga provider. Kathe has a special interest in providing holistic care to resolve issues of grief, trauma, life transitions, divorce, anxiety and depression. 

For more details on Kathe's credentials and a full listing of the Center's clinical staff, please visit our website. 
How to make a counseling appointment:

reminder image

Click image for more information.
 
   To make a confidential counseling appointment for yourself or your child
   call 515-274-4006 or email [email protected]

   
   Classes and services for the community:

For a listing of all
classes and events,
click image.
  

   The Wisdom of Mindfulness
    - an eight-week class, Thursday evenings / Sept. 10 - Oct. 29, 2015

    Becoming an Elder
    - a six-week class, Friday mornings / Oct. 16 - Nov. 20, 2015
    
    Watch for more information coming soon:
    - PrairieFire, a two-year experience, Sept. 2016 - May 2018
    - Conflict Transformation, a new service for congregations, nonprofits and
      businesses
 
   Training for clinical professionals:

For a listing of all
classes and events,
click image.
  

   Trauma Sensitive Practice 
    - an ten-week class / Sept. 4 - Dec 13, 2015
    - This course is designed especially for the Center's clinical
      practicum students, and is also relevant continuing education
      for counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, clergy,
      and other mental health professionals.
   Leadership development for clergy and congregational leaders:

For a listing of all
classes and events,
click image.
  
   
   Leadership and Anxiety in the Church, 
   with guest presenter Richard Blackburn, executive director of the
   Lombard Mennonite Peace Center

     - a one-day workshop, Nov. 5, 2015

     - more information here

   
   Watch for information on more programs coming soon:

    - Intentional Interim Ministry, a six month training program, 
      Feb - Sept. 2016

    - Organic Ministry, Cultivating Soil and Soul, a ten-month class, 
      March - Dec. 2016

    - PrairieFire, a two-year program of spiritual renewal and formation, Sept. 2016 - May 2018

    - Conflict Transformation, a new service for congregations, nonprofits and businesses 
Make a donation:


Thank you for your consideration.
 
    We appreciate donations to the Center's counseling assistance fund. 
    Your contribution will help others access quality psychological services,  
    even if a sliding fee scale is needed. $110 covers the cost of one hour of
    counseling for a child, adolescent or adult. We are grateful for gifts in any
    amount. Thank you for your consideration.

                                    
 
                  The Center offers a full range of psychological services, renewal opportunities 
                  and lifelong education.
Who we are: 
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is a nonprofit organization offering a full range of high quality counseling and psychological services for children and adults, individuals and couples. The Center's approach is holistic, integrating mind, body and spirit for healing, according to clients' unique needs and values. A sliding payment scale is available for those without insurance. (And we gratefully accept donations to support our counseling assistance fund.)
 
The word "pastoral" in our identity refers to the traditional name for counseling that integrates therapy with a client's principals and/or faith. It also refers to how Center counselors respectfully accompany their clients through the transitions and crises of life's journey. 
 
Although best known for providing professional counseling services, the Center is a multi-faceted organization providing a range of services including:
  • Therapeutic counseling.
  • Psychological testing and assessment.
  • Psychiatric consultation and clinical training.
  • Spiritual direction and community education.
  • Leadership development for clergy and congregations. 
 www.dmpcc.org  / 515-274-4006
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Dear Reader,
 
Congratulations! You made it all the way to the bottom of our new e-connect newsletter. Thank you for your interest. Our goal is to issue a new e-connect newsletter twice monthly, to make sure you are up to date and the Center's services, classes and programs. On behalf of everyone at the Center and those we serve, I appreciate your help in sharing this newsletter. I also appreciate your feedback; feel free to send me a note with your ideas. Also, if you would like to serve as a social media ambassador for the Center, please contact me. It's a simple and fun way to support the Center through Facebook and/or Twitter. Again, thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Terri Speirs
Director of Marketing and Communications
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center