Art Bennett of Alpha Omega Clinic and Consultation Services.

The Alpha Omega Clinic and Consultation Services has expanded into Bethesda, Maryland

The Alpha Omega Clinic and Consultation Services (AOCCS) opened its doors in Vienna, Virginia in September 2002, and in March 2003 expanded into a second clinic at the Stone House next to Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center and the Center for Family Development in Bethesda, Maryland. Two social workers, a clinical psychologist and a licensed professional counselor will be adding to the staff of professionals who are servicing clients and families in the area.

The proximity of the Alpha Omega Clinic in Bethesda with the retreat center provides privacy for clients, but also places the clinic in a well known location, and as the clinic expands it will expose even more people to the services not only of the clinic, but of the Center as well.

Is there interest in a counseling center which is overtly orthodox and Catholic? The signs are very positive. We have conducted over 750 sessions in seven months which is a good start. There have been several cases where the clients have said that they would never go to counseling unless it has a Catholic perspective and component. Many troubled marriages who are staying together only because they are Catholic, are coming to us as a last chance to try to save their marriages. We are seeing some clients from Pennsylvania and North Carolina because they cannot find anything similar to Alpha Omega. Please keep this apostolate in your prayers.

One of the keys for this apostolate is formation. Several others have tried to open Catholic Counseling Centers and they often drift into every busy therapist doing his or her own thing. We are wary of that and have placed a strong emphasis on formation for the clinicians and building a spirit of unity in the staff by sharing cases and perspectives and a standard operating procedure manual that unifies our approach. Father Richard Gill, LC. provides formation after staff meetings each month, and then the staff attends mass with Father Richard. This is a critical aspect for the growth and unity of the clinic.

AOCCS is a TRAINING CLINIC

The clinic also provides training. The senior students from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences can do their externships and clinical placement. The clinic is able to be the supervised laboratory for students to learn to integrate the faith and the best principles of psychology. We are also hoping to provide training and supervision in this model for other mental health professionals who want to integrate the faith and psychology as well. If you know of other Catholic professionals across the country who want supervision in the integration of the faith and psychology have them contact Art Bennett to discuss options for supervision.

Radio! Radio!

In addition, the clinic as well as the Center for Family Development, the Conquest Clubs, are sponsoring and producing radio programs (talking about synergy!). The clinic is again sponsoring "Healthy Minds/ Healthy Souls" which can be heard live via the internet at www.wust1120.com from 6pm - 6:30 pm (EST), Tuesday through Thursday. "Health Minds/Healthy Souls" is the brainchild of Fr. Richard Gill and provides an opportunity to get the Catholic perspective on issues related to families, mental health, and managing the problems of the day to day. It also affords us the opportunity to advertise our services. This program is broadcasting for its second season and brings good exposure to the clinic and the Center. Guests on the program have included Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Dr. Paul Vitz, Fr. Richard Gill, David Blankenhorn, Mary Beth Bonacci, Mary Hasson, Dr. Gladys Sweeney, Dr. William May, Dr. Ray Guarendi, Greg Popcek and many others. Fr. Paul Moreau and Fr. James Swanson will also be recording meditations (6:30-6:45pm, EST.) in a program entitled "Our Journey to God." And check out the "Catholic Corner" where the Conquest/ECYD kids produce their own show from 6:45-7:00 pm. Could these programs be broadcasted in your areas? Absolutely. Let me know if you are interested.

For more information on the Alpha Omega Clinics, or possible expansion into your regions; or more information on the training options or radio program please contact Art Bennett at abennett@arcol.org.

Alpha Omega Clinic and Consultation Services
2112 B Gallows Road
Vienna, VA 22182

7007 Bradley Blvd
Bethesda, MD 20817
(703) 847-9191