Center marking 35 years

An upcoming talk on storytelling and wellness (see separate article) is just one way the Albany diocesan Consultation Center is celebrating three-and-a-half decades of providing mental health services in a Christian environment.

The Center offers psychological counseling, group therapy, assessment of candidates for religious life, consultations for parishes on matters like communication problems, lectures and workshops, and spiritual direction.

In 35 years, the Center has only had three directors: Rev. John Malecki, who is now staff psychologist; Sister Susanne Breckel, RSM, who passed away in 1985; and Rev. Anthony Chiaramonte, a therapist who has been director since 1992.

History

Founded in 1969 at the suggestion of the Council of Sisters, the Brothers' Conference and the Priests' Senate of the Diocese, the Consultation Center originally focused on providing counseling services for priests and women religious.

Individual and group counseling were offered in what is now the diocesan Pastoral Center, and Father Malecki supervised seven part-time staff members.

But the Consultation Center soon began to expand into other areas, sponsoring workshops, career counseling and guest speakers like Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a noted expert on death and dying; Dr. Albert Ellis, developer of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT); and Dr. Bernard Siegel, author of several best-selling books, including "Love, Medicine and Miracles."

Changes

In 1972, the center moved to its current site across the street from the Pastoral Center.

The staff also grew over the years to include a dozen psychologists trained at the doctoral level. Father Chiaramonte called the center's offerings a "Cadillac program."

In 1979, the diocesan Counseling for Laity Office split from the Consultation Center to focus on therapy for laypersons. However, as the number of clergy and religious in the Diocese declined, the Consultation Center also decided to offer services for laity.

Variety

The Center offers many different services. For example, the group therapy selections include both a standard set of programs on dealing with anger, depression, anxiety, communication and self-esteem problems; and an ever-evolving list of programs on current topics like t'ai chi chih (a form of meditation based on martial arts), yoga and even organizing clutter.

When a new theory about health, wellness or spirituality becomes popular, Father Chiaramonte explained, the Consultation Center tries to find an expert on the subject and offer a program on it.

In addition, the Consultation Center has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking individual or couples' counseling. It also began offering spiritual direction three years ago, utilizing the services of ten certified spiritual directors to help people on their spiritual path.

"We're always open to [meeting] a need," Father Chiaramonte stated. "It's fascinating to see the growth that has taken place."

(The Consultation Center will also host a 35th anniversary dinner on April 7 at the Italian-American Community Center in Albany. For information on the dinner or the center's programs, call 489-4431.)

(9/30/04)