The Samaritan Institute's mission is to help affiliated Centers provide team-oriented, cost-efficient counseling, education, and consultation which emphasize the interrelatedness of mind, body, spirit, and community.
The Samaritan program began in Elkhart, Indiana in 1972
when a physician, two parish pastors, and a seminary professor observed
that by working together, ministers, therapists, and physicians were very
effective in helping people with stress-related problems. This team approach
became the foundation of the Samaritan program. Samaritan counselors believe
that there is a close relationship of mind, body, spirit, and community,
and that optimal health care involves consideration of all four.
Today, the Samaritan program is one of the largest providers of professional
counseling. There are 500 Samaritan Center offices in 365 cities in the
United States and Japan. This growth has been in direct response to the
needs of congregations and communities as they realize the emotional and
physical costs of stress. It is also a tribute to the thousands of people
who have realized the importance of having a local Center and who have
made the Center a reality through faith and hard work.
Read more Samaritan History.
Counseling at Samaritan Centers is provided by licensed and/or certified professionals who represent various disciplines, e.g., psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, pastoral counseling, psychiatry, etc. All staff members participate in clinical consultation and supervision as required by their professional organizations and the Samaritan Institute.
Samaritan counseling, however, goes beyond the traditional requirements of secular mental health agencies. Staff counselors have expertise in theology and are attuned to spiritual issues. They are active in their religion and are able to help clients build upon the context of their own faith in the healing process. While Samaritan counselors do not impose their personal theological beliefs upon clients, they understand the importance of faith and can incorporate this strength into the counseling process when appropriate.
There are 500 Samaritan Center offices in 365 cities throughout the United States and in Tokyo, Japan, making the Samaritan ministry one of the country's largest providers of outpatient counseling.
Samaritan Centers donate more than $21,300,000 of subsidized counseling
each year to people who cannot afford the full cost of counseling.
Read more Samaritan Facts.
The Samaritan Institute is a 501(c)3 organization governed by a self-perpetuating board of directors with consultation of a national council comprised of Samaritan Center executive directors.
National Board of Directors and their affiliation
National Council Members and their affiliation
President - Rev. R.J. Ross, MSA
Executive Vice President - Rev. James R. Laurie, DMin
Vice President - William S. Wright, EdD
Vice President - Rev. Nancy Gieseler Devor, PhD
Vice President - Rev. Paul A. Bretz, DMin
Director of Communications - Donna L. Mankin, MS
Database Administrator - Laurie A. Killmer, BS
Administrative Assistant - Eileen L. Gornall, BA
Staff Page (up to 1 min. download)
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06/05