December 2012 CenterFocus - SJFC Counseling Spirituality and

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Centerfocus
PROGRAMS &
Services
No Longer Made of Tears
Counseling Center
Professional Counseling
Individual
Family
Marriage
Couple
Seniors
Medication Management
Mediation Services
Classes
Parenting Children of Divorce
Anger Management
The Franciscan
Place
Meditation
Programs & Workshops
Retreats
Private
Guided
Spiritual
Group
Spirituality
Healing Arts Services
Therapeutic Massage
Hatha Yoga
Qi-Gong
Reflexology
Katy H.
Katy began her story at this
year’s Partners in Hope event
(SJFC’s
annual
fundraiser
benefiting counseling programs)
by making a comparison. Humans
consist of sixty percent water.
Katy, by comparison, earlier in
her life, felt that she was made of
tears. For the first half of her life,
she was a normal but unhappy
child.
She was happy at home and led
a normal life: playing with Barbie
dolls, growing up with her sister
in a Christian home in Spokane
Valley, loving her parents,
grandparents and also her two
Katy, by
comparison, earlier in
her life, felt that she
was made of tears.
family pets. She had a supportive
family and church community.
By anyone’s observation, Katy
was a typical child growing up in
a typical American world.
The cracks in this picture began
to surface when school started.
Katy told us that when she
started kindergarten, she was her
teacher’s “shadow,” following
her teacher everywhere, sticking
right by her side where she felt
safe. Her teacher was an anchor,
keeping Katy grounded and safe.
New faces, expectations, people
to interact with, caused Katy
to feel uneasy and exceedingly
nervous.
The unease presented itself
as jittery or nervous feelings,
quickened heartbeat, sweating.
These symptoms, resembling
those of low-blood sugar and
made her parents think Katy
might be hyperglycemic, and
her mom sent her to school with
snacks. The food was supposed
keep her blood sugar up and help
with the jitters and nervousness.
“They never helped,” Katy stated.
She attended her elementary
school regularly and dealt with
her jumbled emotions as best
she could with her family and
teachers help.
In junior high, Katy had an
experience on the first day of
school that stands out in her
memory. It was a very bad day.
Katy arrived late. Again the
unfamiliar environment, new faces
and expectations caused feelings
of unease and increased anxiety.
Katy felt an “overwhelming
sense of doom, heart racing, [felt
so scared] it felt almost like being
kidnapped.” She spent time with
the school counselor that day.
What she was struggling with
did not become clear to Katy,
her parents or teachers until later.
She coped as best she could and
became involved in volleyball and
orchestra. However, in 8th grade,
when Katy’s mom was diagnosed
as having panic attacks, a light
switch was turned on, and the
family recognized what Katy was
experiencing was panic attacks,
like her mom.
Katy experienced “little panic
attacks here and there, and kept
[them] pretty well under the
radar, which made it very hard to
Katy was
experiencing was
panic attacks, like
her mom.
sit through school and try to learn
at the same time.” The panic
attacks did not become a day-today issue until tenth grade. This
was when Katy’s family brought
her to their family doctor who
suggested she try counseling.
Her doctor prescribed medication
used to treat depression and mild
anxiety. This was a good step
Continued on Page 2
In this issue
No Longer Made of Tears ......................1
Executive Reflections by Sister Patricia .....2
No Longer Made of Tears Continued ........2
Partners in Hope 2012 .........................3
2012 Christmas Appeal ........................3
Mission ...........................................4
Advent Opportunities .........................4
Qi Gong Weekly Classes .......................4
December 2012
Volume 25, No. 1
Page 1
Executive Reflections
Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t
unravel. ~ Author Unknown
Sister Patricia Novak, OSF
Spirituality/Healing Arts Program
Director of The Franciscan Place
at SJFC
As I go out for my walks these days I am very aware that we are edging into winter
even though some leaves of autumn are still hanging on. Here in Spokane we have had
our first blushes of snow. Days have sometimes been a bit grey and with the change of
the clocks into standard time it is getting dark way too early! This time of the year can
affect our moods and start to bring a person’s spirits down a bit. However, it is also a
season of giving thanks for the fruits of earth and the harvest of the fields. It is a time
to count our blessings of all that has been a part of this past year and look to new hopes
and possibilities. It might also be a time of quietness. Most of the fields lie
fallow, there is a hush that happens to the world with a snowfall and before
the great celebration of Christmas we have an Advent time
of preparing our hearts and homes. As we come towards the
end of this year, what is it that you are most grateful for?
How can you find a still, quiet space in your life to reflect
on your blessings and what brings you hope? In the words of
Konrad von Gesner, “Best of all is it to preserve everything in
a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse - a thanksgiving,
and for every breath - a song…”
Peace and All Good!
Sister Patricia
No Longer Made of Tears
continued from page 1
forward. It improved Katy’s mood. Talking about what she was
going through helped too, “but not that much.” Katy was becoming
depressed with the weight of working through emotions without
having the all the right tools, and the counseling and medication
did not ease her panic attacks.
Six months later, things worsened and Katy was experiencing
debilitating migraines that lasted up to three days. They were
occurring 2-3 days a week. As a result, she missed more than
half of her school semester and was failing most of her classes.
Ultimately Katy and her parents decided to try an alternative to
traditional public school and found an online high school. Though
her grades improved, her panic attacks did not, and Katy was
feeling more and more anti-social, “not wanting to get out of the
house, [her] safe haven. Going out even to run errands might mean
having a panic attack, or getting a migraine, [and she] didn’t want
to take the chance of having to go through those things again.
[She] withdrew herself from the outside world” to cope with what
she was feeling. Her sense of hopelessness was so strong.
This was when she decided that she needed to try a new counselor.
She was connected with therapist Diana Hornboggen at SJFC and
our then psychiatric nurse practitioner, Kristen Townsend. At this
time, the hopelessness Katy was experiencing led to “mood spells
[where Katy would feel] outrageously angry, just rage, out of the
moment of feeling so discouraged and angry.” Kristen prescribed
different medications, and it “made all the difference.”
Page 2
And the difference is like night and day. Katy rarely gets
migraines any more. She’s found a part-time job and “it’s
going great.” She graduated from high school this June
and spoke at her commencement. Katy’s “grandparents are
thrilled at the progress from just one and a half years ago;
they can’t believe the difference,” said Katy’s mom when
we spoke in October.
These are the lessons Katy’s learned on her journey and
what she wishes to share with everyone to encourage and
empower them:
• Be comfortable with yourself. You may be different,
but your path is not less than anyone else’s
• You have the choice. You can either accelerate the
panic attack or get past it.
• You have to be ready to go to battle and really fight
because going for help takes a lot of hard work.
• It’s a journey, a step-by-step process, and you learn a
lot about yourself, what you can handle, how to tell
people no.
• Happiness is work. You have to get past your flaws
and work towards something better, not let your flaws
hold you.
When Katy spoke at SJFC’s Partners in Hope event
benefitting our counseling programs, with over 100 people
in attendance, she brought the crowd to their feet and tears
to their eyes, not hers. Katy has done enough crying.
A Sister of Many Talents
Partners
in Hope 2012-
by Mary Stamp of The Fig Tree
November 3, 2012 was a
night of great company, food
and community support. Over
100 guests joined SJFC at the
Red Lion Inn at the Park for
Partners In Hope, our annual
fundraiser for counseling
programs. Monies raised
directly benefit our mental
health programs: Psycho-Ed
classes like Men or Women
and Anger and Parenting
Children of Divorce, as well
as providing fee-assistance
to make counseling available
for families, individuals and
couples needing help with life
challenges.
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Henry Montgomery, PhD, Chair
Jim Randall, Vice Chair
Angela Ruff, Secretary
Pat Millen, OSF, ExecutiveDirector
Gary Jurgensen, Treasurer
Richard Bartch, Jr.
Maureen Fox, OSF
Marie Okamoto
Anne Lupita McNamara, OSF
Arlene Patton
OUR STAFF
Pat Millen, OSF, M. Ed.
Executive Director
Catherine Del Armstead, PhD
Clinical Director / Psychologist
Juan Crespo
Business Operations Director
Sharon Eklund
Franciscan Place Director
Patricia Novak, OSF, MS
Spirituality/Healing Arts Director
Kathie Bonner Walsh
Development Director
Monica Bauer, OSF, MA, LMFT
Leslie Lowe from KHQ was
the Master of Ceremonies,
keeping the night fun. Bishop
Cupich gave the invocation,
and Sister Pat, our Executive
Director, welcomed guests,
thanked donors and all who
came to support SJFC. We
were honored to have three
amazing speakers at Partners in Hope this year. Representative Ormsby spoke on mental health
issues in the community, and Erin M. and Katy H. both shared their personal stories of healing
through their counseling at SJFC. Their testimonies moved many to tears and brought guests to
their feet in a standing ovation.
We had a wonderful evening and feel so blessed to have your support--Thank you Spokane!
Christmas Appeal 2012
During the past year, SJFC served more than 6,400
individuals and families by providing access to mental
health services, spirituality programs and healing arts to
individuals, couples and families who are on limited income
and need sliding scale fees, scholarships and/or unable to
pay. They came to us for counseling, spirituality, retreats,
and healing art services. They came in order to promote
their inner growth. They came to be embraced by Christ’s
gentle love. They came because St. Joseph Family Center
provides a welcoming presence where all can be renewed in
body, mind, and spirit.
May you and all the people we serve be blessed with the
peace of God’s love at Christmas and during the New Year!
Gentle Love by Betty Bradley, FSPA
Board & Staff
Sincerely
Pat Millen, OSF
Executive Director for St. Joseph Family Center
Therapist
Heidi Broers-Vazquez
Medical Billing/Coding Specialist
Joanne Clavel, OSF, MSA
Human Resource Director
Elizabeth Cole, SP, PhD
Intake Coordinator
Phil Eager, M.Ed
Instructor - Men and Anger Management
Edward Hinson, MS, LMHC
Therapist
Diana Hornbogen, MEd, LMFT
Therapist, Instructor, Mediation Specialist
Michael Knight, MA, LMHC
Therapist, Instructor
Liza Mattana
Development Associate
Caroline South
Hospitality/TFP Assisitant
Esther Velasquez, OSB
Receptionist / Clinical Assistant
Therese Walden
Receptionist / Administrative Assistant
Lynn Vander Linden
Assistant Housekeeper/Maintenance
Vince Wasson
Facilities, Grounds Coordinator
Nickie White
Development & Communications Manager
ADJUNCT STAFF
Marian Beaumier, MSW, LCSW
Contract Counselor, Seniors
Maria Bircher, CRP
Reflexology Provider
Barbara Burkart, LMT
Spiritual Director
Jill Carter, MA
Yoga Instructor
Ruth French
Qi-Gong Instructor
Millie Hynes, LPN, LMP
Massage Therapist
Akua Lum-Reeser, LMP
Licensed Massage Practitioner
Page 3
Mission Statement
St. Joseph Family Center, a non-profit agency sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, provides
counseling, spirituality, retreats, and healing arts, in order to promote the inner growth of each person served.
Counseling Center
The Franciscan Place
Spirituality & Healing Arts
Professional Counseling
The Franciscan Place offers Spirituality and Healing Arts
The Counseling Center at SJFC welcomes individuals and
families who seek growth and assistance with life challenges.
Our professional, licensed counseling staff offers a full range
of counseling services. In addition to individual, couples and
family counseling, we offer mediation and a variety of group
classes to further enrich and assist clients as they seek health
and wholeness. Most insurances are accepted.
Sliding fee available to those who qualify.
Set appointment: (509) 483-6495 x110
Registration: (509) 483-6495
programs and services. Register for offerings by calling the
above number.
Current classes, events and retreats are listed at:
www.SJFConline.org
Registration deadline is one week prior to program. Some
scholarships are available, qualification required.
Advent Opportunities
Advent Journey:
Creating a Space for Christmas
With all the rushing around, glitz in the stores
and clamor of things to do during the holiday
season, the real meaning of the Christmas season
often gets lost. During Advent we are encouraged
to prepare our hearts as well as our homes for
Emmanuel ~ “God With Us”… Jesus, the
“Prince of Peace” whose birth we celebrate.
Sat. December 8, 2012 , 10am - 3pm
Suggested Donation: $25.00
bring a sack lunch, coffee, tea and dessert provided
Thomas Merton’s Bridges
to Contemplative Living
Journey toward personal spiritual transformation
and a more contemplative and peace-filled life.
Join Patricia Novak, OSF
on Tuesdays from 6 - 7:30 pm
Advent Series - Hope & Salvation through
Word Made Flesh
Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, 2012
Qi-Gong Classes
The art of slow movements and breath to increase energy and improve health
QI-Gong:
• Enhances confidence
• Relieves depression
• Firms the body
• Alleviates asthma
• Eases back pain
and other conditions
Page 4
Fridays, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. with Ruth French
Suggested Donation:
$50 for series of six
$45 student or senior
$10 drop-in rate
RSVP: (509) 483-6495
For more information please call (509) 483-6495 or visit www.SJFConline.org