June 27, 2008

Mr. Franklin Haskell, President

Nashua Area

Interfaith Council

P.O. Box 209

Nashua, NH  03061-0209

Dear Franklin: 

     I received the Nashua Interfaith Council’s $1,500 donation on Wednesday, June 25, 2008.  Needless to say, that I am delighted with this donation and wish to send my sincere and heartfelt appreciation. 

     Your donation will be put to immediate use in funding counseling services to parolees/probationers referred to us from the Nashua Department of Corrections.  The services we will be able to provide because of your donation include the provision of face-to-face counseling services to individuals, couples and families for substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, victims of domestic violence, parenting skills, and for other related diagnoses such as depression, anxiety and personality disorders.  We will also be able to continue to provide a holding environment while individuals await long-term residential therapy options. 

     Thank you for believing in our mission by collaborating with us in such a concrete way.

     Thank you and to the NAIC membership for your generous support. 

Very Truly Yours, 

William J. Manseau, D.Min.

Director Emmaus Institute       

If you would like to leave a comment or question about our program click on comment highlighted in blue below this entry.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT LICENSED PASTORAL PSYCHOTHERAPISTS? 

Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapists possess a depth of training that is unique among mental health care professionals.  Theirs is a discipline which respects and affirms the natural connection between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.  It is now recognized across the mental health field that understanding and supporting this connection fosters a sound and lasting foundation for treatment of the whole person.  The Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapist is well equipped to work with the total person by integrating the spiritual dimension when the client wishes to do so (NHPPA).  

The Emmaus Institute offers the services of individuals trained in mental health counseling, and social work services as well as pastoral psychotherapists.  Therapists who work at the Emmaus Institute have expressed knowledge, interest, and additional training in working with individuals when the topic of spirituality presents itself. 

DO LICENSED PASTORAL PSYCHOTHERAPISTS USE A RELIGIOUS APPROACH AS PART OF THE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT THEY OFFER?  

Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapists and Emmaus Institute clinicians provide clinically competent as well as spiritually sensitive care to those who seek their assistance. They are specially trained to help clients utilize their spiritual resources, but they do not impose their values on the client.  The spiritual commitments and religious traditions of those who seek assistance are fully respected.  Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapists work with the classified mental and emotional disorders and utilize a variety of approaches to psychotherapy.

HOW IS THIS TYPE OF COUNSELING DIFFERENT FROM TALKING TO A PRIEST OR MINISTER?  

Counseling often begins in the office of a clergy person.  It is a place where people experience 2 important components of the counseling process:  safety and confidentiality.  Studies about the counseling process indicate that it is the counseling relationship that provides the safety and confidentiality that can lead to healing.  Clergy persons while often willing to counsel individuals often lack the time resources to continue to treat someone on a weekly basis.  Clergy persons usually receive training in counseling but are not covered by insurance companies nor can they provide mental health diagnoses.  Licensed Pastoral Therapists are covered by insurance companies and are trained to diagnose and in treatment planning.  They often work with psychiatrists should the need arise for medication referral. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFRENCE BETWEEN A PSYCHIATRIST AND A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL?

A psychiatrist is a Medical Doctor who has specialized in Psychiatry.   What typically happens nowadays is Psychiatrists typically do not offer the talk therapy component of mental health services.  Their focus of specialization is expertise in managing medication for serious mental illnesses.  They have first-hand experience and knowledge about how medications affect the brain and are often called in for chronic and life threatening mental illnesses.  Many counselors often work with Psychiatrists.  

To ask your own question about pastoral counseling click "Post a Comment" below.

Emmaus Institute To Reveal Secrets to a Happier Marriage

Why not a school for marriage?  Maybe you’re one half of a couple who has wondered,” I don’t know how to do this anymore?”  Or maybe you have said to yourself I never had lessons on how to do marriage right.”  Or “There has got to be a better way!”

We are not born knowing how to make relationships work.  And sometimes our families of origin may not have been the best teachers of how to make relationships work.  Why not try a different approach?  “Attending the Emmaus School for Marriage classes may help to bring back some of the reasons you married each other in the first place,” says Dr. William Manseau, Director of the Emmaus Institute and class leader.

Dr. Manseau has developed a unique approach in counseling couples based on his three decades of experience and on the works of two notable authorities on the subject of relationships, Harville Hendrix, PhD, who originated Imago Relationship Theory; and Susan Heitler, PhD who developed the Power of Two programs for couples.

Emmaus School for Marriage begins on Wednesday, May 7 and will continue on consecutive Wednesdays through the end of June from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pilgrim Congregational Church at 4 Watson St., Nashua NH. Cost for the program is $45 per couple per session.  Copies of related literature will be available for purchase during sessions.

Sessions are designed to be taken independently of one another so that busy couples can sign up for one session in May and a different session in June. Couples can also choose to attend consecutive Wednesdays that cover the eight major topics. To register call the Emmaus Institute at 886-3760.  

Schedule of topics and dates: 

Wednesday, May 7:   The Power of One and the Power of Two: overview

Wednesday, May 14: Effective Listening and collaborative dialogue

Wednesday, May 21: Safe Expression of anger and Safety Receiving Anger

Wednesday, May 28: Fix-it talk

Wednesday, June 4: Shared Decision Making

Wednesday, June 11: Cleaning up after upsets

Wednesday, June 18: Conflict Resolution

Wednesday, June 25: Augmenting love, support, and joy

"It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."--The Christophers

 Emmaus Institute financial advisor, AG Edwards, has informed us that the Emmaus Institute qualifies as a QCD.  What this means is that you can help out the Emmaus Institute while you get tax benefits.  Take advantage of this potential opportunity before 2007 ends. 

As a result of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, if you’re age 70½ or older, you can make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) in 2007 of up to $100,000 per taxpayer per year directly from your IRA to your choice of qualified charities with no federal tax consequences.  In other words, a QCD lets you avoid incurring federal income taxes on mandatory distributions you don’t need.  In addition, a QCD removes assets from your estate, which could benefit your wealth transfer strategy.  It may also help you avoid being bumped into a higher tax bracket.  You can make a donation by clicking the paypal button located at the right of this blog post. This is a safe, confidential and easy way to donate.  Donations are aknowledged with a thank you letter.  You can also mail in a donation to:        

The Emmaus Institute 

154 Broad Street 

Nashua, NH 03063

For more information contact: wmanseau@emmausinstituteinc.org