Counseling

Many parish priests in our diocese tell us that their greatest need is for trustworthy professional counselors to whom they can refer parishioners, school children, and families. Without these vital services, a marriage might end in divorce or a student might face expulsion from school. 

To address this, the Clinical Liaison works directly with parish priests and school personnel to secure counseling services for the individual or family involved.  

This is why we are developing professional counseling services for these children and their families. By partnering with principals, guidance counselors and parents, we will use our clinical expertise to treat the hidden pains that prevent individuals from achieving their potential. 
 

We are currently working to expand these services. Learn more about our philanthropic initiative to support our counseling programs, Hope to Healing.

School Counseling

Here in our diocese, we have 13,668 students, and many are dealing with emotional, psychological or mental-health issues that keep them from academic success. 

We see the symptoms every day: an unexplained sadness, a withdrawn demeanor, disruptive behaviors, or difficulty concentrating. Far from being garden-variety discipline problems, these students need our help to get at those deep hurts that hold them back. And tragically for many these issues are a predictor of a life of poverty. Statistics show that there is a strong correlation between a low level of academic achievement and poverty.

This is why we are developing professional counseling services for these children and their families. By partnering with principals, guidance counselors and parents, we will use our clinical expertise to treat the hidden pains that prevent students from achieving their potential.

Parish Referrals for Counseling

Parish priests or their designated staff members may call our Clinical Liaison for help navigating the mental health system throughout Northern Indiana. Catholic Charities has built a network of high-quality clinicians with expertise in responding to and treating a wide variety of mental and emotional health concerns, with profound respect for the spiritual lives of their clients. We help parishes connect their members to either our own qualified counselors or treatment providers in our network, depending upon the unique needs and preferences of the person, couple or family entrusted to our care by their parish priest.

Community Counseling

Our ambition is to eventually take our faith-based perspective and professional counseling services to the broader community. There are 1.2 million people in our diocese, many of whom cannot afford or easily access professional counseling.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment Program

Outpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment for adults provided by experienced and credentialed counselors. This program includes individual assessments and evening and Saturday small group sessions to adults of all faiths. Catholic Charities is certified by the state of Indiana to provide outpatient addictions services. Referrals from healthcare professionals, courts, attorneys and self-referrals are accepted. This program is currently available at our South Bend office only.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

The Counseling Department is the preferred provider for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend’s Employee Assistance Program. This program is funded by the diocese and affords employees up to 6 sessions of counseling with a licensed therapist at Catholic Charities. 

Assessments for Immigration and the Marriage Tribunal 

Over the past year, therapists at Catholic Charities were asked to assist Immigration Services and the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal Office for assistance with assessments for their clients. This is a service that licensed therapists provide to persons throughout the diocese on an as needed basis. 

Victims of Human Trafficking

There is a nationwide epidemic of sex and labor trafficking, and our diocese is no exception. Starting in 2018, we will help freed victims deal with the trauma of their captivity and adjustment back into the community.