e-connect newsletter                                                          9.30.15
Feature:  

ASIST, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Some people drove more than three hours to attend. Click image for more photos and information about this event.

The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center convened a community-wide training to address suicide prevention, September 28-29, 2015, at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Des Moines, the Center's second suicide prevention training event this year. The curriculum, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is the world's leading suicide intervention workshop. During the two-day interactive session, participants learned to help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. 

Forty seven people participated in this two-day intensive workshop, led by four trainers with the Iowa Army National Guard (photo banner above) who are providing services on a pro-bono basis.

Participants represented a broad variety of sectors including public schools, health care, pharmacy, mental health, police, nonprofit, faith-based and concerned individuals. 

Tremendous thanks go to all who made this training possible.   The Center collaborated with the Polk County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to host this event. Immanuel United Methodist Church donated the space.

For more information, please contact Diane McClanahan, [email protected], 515-274-4006. Diane is the Center's Director for the Institute for the Practice of Ministry.
   Leadership development for clergy and congregational leaders:
Richard Blackburn headshot

Richard Blackburn, executive director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will present a one day workshop in Des Moines on Nov. 5, 2015. 

Click image for more information.

LAST CALL FOR EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION RATE!
  
          • LAST CALL FOR EARLY BIRD RATE:  Leadership and Anxiety in the Church,  with guest presenter Richard Blackburn, executive director of the  Lombard Mennonite Peace Center,  a one-day workshop,  Nov. 5, 201 5,     
          • Organic Ministry, Cultivating Soil and Soul, a ten-month class, March to Dec. 2016, more information here 
          • PrairieFire, a two-year program of spiritual renewal and formation, September 2016 to May 2018, more information here
          • Intentional Interim Ministry, a six month training program, Feb. to Sept. 2016. More information coming soon.
          • Conflict Transformation, a new service for congregations, nonprofits and businesses. More information coming soon.
For more information on any of these services and programs, contact Diane McClananahan, M.Div., Director of the Institute for the Practice of Ministry at the Center, 515-251-6667,  [email protected]. 
In the Community:

Tomorrow, October 1, 2015:

Kelli Hill, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Services at the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center will be pre senting on "The Impact of Bullying on Child/Adolescent Mental Health" at the next monthly meeting of the Polk County Suicide Prevention Coalition , Thursday, October 1, 8:30 - 10 a.m. 

I n her presentation, Kelli will discuss:   
1. Current methods of bullying (physical, controlling, verbal/emotional, electronic/social media).
2. The emotional and behavioral reactions that children and adolescents tend to exhibit as a consequence of bullying.
3. The differences between girls and boys in the types of bullying and the impact of bullying.
4. Bullying issues specifically related to the school setting.
The event is open to the public. Coalition meetings are held the 1st Thursday of each month (except July and August) from 8:30 - 10 am at:  2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines. For more information, contact Chris @ (515) 286-3430 
   Classes and services for the community:

For a listing of all classes and events, click image.
  
  
Becoming an Elder, Spiritual Reflection in the Second Half of Life,  a six-week class,  Friday mornings / Oct. 16 - Nov. 20, 2015
    

Organic Ministry, Cultivating Soil and Soul, a ten-month class, March to Dec. 2016

 

PrairieFire

a two-year program of spiritual renewal and formation, Sept. 2016 to May 2018. Applications are being accepted now.
Conflict Transformation
a new service for congregations, nonprofits and  businesses, for more information on this program, contact Diane McClanahan, [email protected], 515-274-4006. 
How to make a counseling appointment:
reminder image

Click image for more information.
 



To make a confidential counseling appointment for yourself or your child,  call 515-274-4006 or email [email protected] . 

   Training for clinical professionals:
  
The Center is pleased to help sponsor a training event for clinical professionals, to explore the use of  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment  of chemical dependency  and  other compulsive behaviors -specifically with clients who are not y et abstinent. This treatment-focused workshop will teach mental health professionals how to stabilize clients and desensitize addiction memory networks without tr iggering increased substance use or relapse .

For more information, contact Susan Arland, M.A., L.M.H.C., at  515-255-5697, [email protected].  Susan is a licensed mental health counselor at the Center, and an  EMDR (Iowa) approved consultant, providing individual and group consultation for EMDR-trained clinicians and volunteering with EMDR-HAP (Humanitarian Assistance Program) as a training facilitator. 

Early bird registration rate ends on October 9, 2015.
  
Save the date: 

     

18th Annual Women Helping Women Luncheon

May 13, 2016

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Embassy Suites downtown by the river


 Proceeds support quality counseling for girls and       women with limited resources. Watch for more information. 

 

Sign up to receive regular event updates here.  
Give the gift of hope and healing:

A child distressed by domestic violence.  A veteran troubled by combat duty.  An adolescent crushed by depression.  A parent devastated by suicide.
 
Psychological wounds cut deep. Your contribution will help others receive the counseling they need regardless of their ability to pay.  

    
Since our dad left our mom has been really sad and doesn't want to do anything. She goes to talk to someone and says she's starting to feel better.
 

Our mission is to bring understanding, hope and healing to people of all ages through counseling and education.
Who we are:  

Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is a nonprofit organization offering a full range of mental health services, serving 2,250 individuals annually including 700 children. The Center's approach is holistic, integrating mind, body and spirit for healing.
 
Although best known for its 43 years of quality, professional mental health therapy, the Center is a multi-faceted organization providing a range of services:
  • Counseling, including specialized services for children and adolescents
  • Psychological testing and assessment
  • Psychiatric consultation and care
  • Training for clinical professionals
  • Spiritual direction and community education
  • Leadership development for faith communities
  • Conflict transformation services for congregations, nonprofits and businesses
 
As a nonsectarian organization, the Center is not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious group.

 www.dmpcc.org   / 515-274-4006
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Dear Reader,  
 
Congratulations! You made it all the way to the bottom of our new e-connect newsletter, the third issue. Thank you for your interest. Our goal is to issue a new e-connect newsletter twice monthly, to make sure you are up to date and the Center's services, classes and programs. On behalf of everyone at the Center and those we serve, we appreciate your help in sharing this newsletter. Feel free to send me a note with your feedback and ideas for this newsletter. 

Sincerely,
Terri Speirs
Director of Marketing and Communications
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center