Anyone who is a parishioner at a church in the New York Archdiocese.

You can reach out to us directly by phone or email. Priests or designated parish staff can also contact us to make a referral.

Participants are eligible for six therapy sessions if they are not using their health insurance. If health insurance is being used, the maximum number of sessions is determined by your health insurance.

The fee for each session is a $10 co-pay unless health insurance is used in which case the co-pay will be determined by your health insurance plan. If additional counseling is necessary, you will be referred to a counseling practitioner or treatment enter.

Short-term therapy is typically focused on addressing specific issues or goals within a limited number of sessions, often ranging from a few weeks to several months. It's well-suited for issues that are more focused and require practical solutions or symptom relief. Some appropriate issues for short-term therapy include:

Stress Management: Learning coping strategies and relaxation techniques to manage stress and anxiety in daily life.

Adjustment Issues: Coping with major life changes such as job transitions, relocation, or relationship changes.

Problem-Solving: Addressing specific problems or decision-making challenges in work, relationships, or personal life.

Skill-Building: Learning communication skills, assertiveness training, or conflict resolution techniques.

Goal Setting: Clarifying personal or professional goals and developing a plan to achieve them.

Crisis Intervention: Providing immediate support and stabilization during a crisis or acute stressor.

Therapy holds significance from a Catholic perspective as it aligns with the core principles of compassion, healing, and nurturing of the whole person.

Honoring Human Dignity: Therapy acknowledges the inherent dignity of every individual, reflecting the Catholic belief in the sanctity of human life. By providing support and care for mental and emotional well-being, therapy affirms the worth and value of each person created in the image of God.

Healing and Restoration: The Catholic faith emphasizes the importance of healing and restoration, both physically and spiritually. Therapy offers a pathway for individuals to address emotional wounds, find healing, and experience wholeness, aligning with the Christian message of redemption and renewal.

Compassionate Support: Therapy embodies the spirit of compassion and empathy central to the teachings of Jesus. Through the therapeutic relationship, individuals receive non-judgmental support, understanding, and encouragement.

Stewardship of Mental Health: As stewards of their mental health, Catholics are called to care for their minds, bodies, and spirits. Therapy provides tools and strategies to manage stress, cope with challenges, and nurture mental well-being, empowering individuals to fulfill their vocation and purpose in life.

In short-term therapy, individuals can expect focused and goal-oriented support tailored to their specific needs. Here's what someone can typically expect from short-term therapy:

Initial Assessment: The therapy process usually begins with an initial assessment where the therapist gathers information about the individual's concerns, background, and goals for therapy. This helps in understanding the issues at hand and setting clear objectives for the sessions.

Focused Treatment Plan: Short-term therapy typically involves a structured treatment plan aimed at addressing specific issues or goals within a limited number of sessions. The therapist and individual collaborate to identify key areas for focus and outline measurable objectives to work towards.

Solution-Focused Approach: Short-term therapy often utilizes a solution-focused or cognitive-behavioral approach, emphasizing practical strategies and techniques to address current challenges and promote positive change. The focus is on building skills, changing patterns of thinking and behavior, and achieving tangible outcomes in a relatively brief timeframe.

Supportive Environment: Individuals can expect to receive empathetic and non-judgmental support from their therapist throughout the short-term therapy process. The therapist provides a safe and confidential space for the individual to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, fostering trust and openness.

Skill-Building and Coping Strategies: Short-term therapy may involve teaching individuals practical coping strategies and skills to manage stress, regulate emotions, improve communication, or address specific issues such as anxiety or depression. These tools empower individuals to navigate challenges more effectively and maintain progress beyond the therapy sessions.

Focused Exploration: While short-term therapy may not delve deeply into long-standing or complex issues, it still offers meaningful exploration and insight into the individual's concerns. The therapist helps the individual gain clarity, perspective, and understanding of their thoughts and feelings, facilitating personal growth and self-awareness.

Measurable Progress: Throughout short-term therapy, individuals can expect to track their progress towards established goals and objectives. Regular check-ins with the therapist allow for adjustments to the treatment plan as needed, ensuring that therapy remains effective and aligned with the individual's evolving needs.

Overall, short-term therapy provides a structured and supportive framework for individuals to address specific issues, build skills, and achieve meaningful change within a relatively brief timeframe. It offers practical solutions, emotional support, and the opportunity for personal growth and empowerment.

Short-term therapy may not be right for people with more severe symptoms, complex issues, persistent mental illness, or chronic stressors. In the event that long-term therapy may be more helpful, we’ll provide you with referral options.

Long-term therapy involves a more extensive and in-depth exploration of psychological issues, personal growth, and self-discovery over an extended period, often lasting several months to years. It's appropriate for issues that are complex, deep-seated, or require ongoing support and exploration. Some appropriate issues for long-term therapy include:

Chronic Mental Health Conditions: Managing symptoms of chronic depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, or personality disorders.

Trauma and PTSD: Processing past traumas, childhood abuse, or traumatic experiences through a supportive therapeutic relationship.

Personality Development: Exploring identity, self-esteem, and existential concerns related to personal growth and development.

Interpersonal Relationships: Addressing patterns of behavior, communication difficulties, or unresolved conflicts in relationships.

Attachment Issues: Healing attachment wounds, addressing relationship patterns rooted in childhood experiences, or navigating attachment difficulties.

Complex Grief and Loss: Grieving significant losses such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or chronic illness.

Exploration of Existential Themes: Reflecting on life's meaning, purpose, mortality, and existential questions related to spirituality and identity.

The appropriateness of short-term versus long-term therapy depends on individual factors such as the severity of the issue, personal preferences, therapeutic goals, and the therapeutic relationship.

The PCN network has over 120 therapists with offices throughout New York State. Many therapists also offer virtual sessions.

Considering therapy might feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar, but you aren’t alone in considering it. In fact, therapy is something that many people find helpful and beneficial, regardless of their background or beliefs. Just like going to the doctor for physical health concerns, seeking therapy is a proactive step towards taking care of your mental and emotional well-being.

Therapy can be seen as a courageous step towards embracing God's gift of healing and support. Seeking therapy is a way to honor this belief by seeking the support and guidance needed to navigate life's challenges.

Therapy provides a confidential and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with someone who is trained to help. It's not about being "broken" or "weak," but rather about gaining insight, developing coping skills, and finding new perspectives on life's challenges.

If you're feeling hesitant, take it one step at a time and know that you are not alone on this journey. Remember, taking care of your mental health is an important part of caring for yourself as a whole person, and there is no shame in seeking support.

While your therapist may not necessarily be Catholic, they will be respectful and understanding of your religious beliefs and faith. Your therapist will work with you in a way that aligns with your beliefs and values.

Therapists are trained to provide a non-judgmental and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of discrimination or prejudice. They will be open to discussing how your faith may influence your life and your goals for therapy, and they can incorporate spiritual principles or practices into the therapeutic process if that is something you are interested in.

The fee for each session is a $10 co-pay. The rest of the fee is covered by the Archdiocese.

If you have health insurance, the co-pay is set by your health insurance plan.

You can use this map to find churches in the NY Archdiocese.