July content:
- Welcome Juan Pablo Padilla!
- Staff highlight
- The Spiritual Journey of Healing
- Resources for coping with pandemic and beyond
- Remember the Center in your will
- Support Group for Survivors of Suicide Loss
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction LIVE this fall
- PrairieFire program - apply now!
- and more!
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Please join us in welcoming our newest staff member, Juan Pablo Padilla! Juan Pablo is a bicultural and bilingual (Spanish/English) licensed mental health counselor. He holds a B.A. in theology from the Pontificia Studiorum Universitas Salesiana of Rome and obtained a M.A. in Spanish as well as a M.S. in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Juan Pablo is working towards his certification as an E.M.D.R (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) therapist. Juan Pablo has a background in ministry as a catholic priest and as a spiritual director. He is passionate about helping people to heal, grow, and find meaning in their lives.
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Staff Member Highlight: Emily Lovell, administrative assistant |
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What do you like best about working at the Center?
My favorite thing about working here is the friendly and kind environment. I appreciate the genuine interactions I have with others, making the atmosphere very delightful. It makes me feel good to be a part of a team that supports one another!
What is your favorite thing to do when you're not at work?
I really enjoy getting in touch with my creative side. I have been working on many projects. I like to spend time painting, crafting polymer clay earrings, and painting fun designs on thrifted clothing. I also love spending time outside. I often find myself at Greenwood Park in Des Moines appreciating the wildflowers and walking on the trails.
What is your favorite color?
I have many favorite colors so my answer to this question is always changing. I tend to go through “color phases” and surround myself with my favorite color at that time. At the moment, I am very fond of lilac purple.
What is your favorite quote?
I’ve always been fond of the quote: “It is what it is.” This helps me to accept experiences as they are and be able to go with the flow!
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The Spiritual Journey of Aging |
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by Dr. Christine Dietz
(July 2021) — From birth to death, we are all on a journey of aging. But American popular culture, still adolescent in so many ways, goes to great pains to deny it. Don’t believe me? Take a walk through the greeting card section of Target and look at the messages. Aging is presented as silly, shameful and to be strenuously avoided. For example: on the cover, “Everyone gets to be young once.” Inside, “Your turn’s over.” Or, “Don’t let society tell you what people your age can and can’t do.” Inside, “That’s what your knees are for.”
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New Opportunity!
- The Spiritual Journey of Aging
- Six-week group
- Launching August 2021
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Interested? Contact: [email protected]
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The Center’s clinicians have been vetting resources with useful information to help cope with anxiety around COVID-19, and as we emerge from the pandemic.
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Fun fact: The Center serves more than 675 children and teens annually -- plus their parents, siblings, teachers, principals, lawyers, judges, doctors and others in the child's life circle. Thanks to generous donors, the Center provides services to children and families from all income levels. |
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Were you born before July 1, 1949? |
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You can support hope and healing with your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
Due to changes made by the SECURE Act (which passed in December of 2019), if a person’s 70th birthday is July 1, 2019 or later, you do not have to take withdrawals until you reach age 72.
The key date here is July 1, 1949. If you were born on that day or after, then you are not required to take your RMD until April 1st of next year (2022). Anyone born before that day (June 30th, 1949) has to take the RMD by year-end.
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Remember the Center in your will. |
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For more information on how you can ensure the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center’s mission lives on into the future, please contact Laurie Betts Sloterdyk, Director of Development.
515-564-5122
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Classes and Opportunities |
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Support group for survivors of suicide loss -- live online |
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If you've lost a loved one to suicide and need support, please contact Andrea Severson, L.M.H.C., M.Div. at [email protected].
This support group is offered on the third Tuesday of the month as a free community service, with thanks to generous supporters of the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center.
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Support group facilitator, Andrea Severson (photo), is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and spiritual director. Her degrees include a Master of Science in counseling from Drake University and a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. She is one of 30 clinicians at the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center. See bios of Andrea and other clinicians here.
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Applications are being accepted for PrairieFire (scholarships available) |
Do you desire a more meaningful life enriched by a deepening spiritual awareness, new ways of building and contributing to community, or living
authentically in an increasingly challenging and unpredictable world?
Consider applying for PrairieFire.
Please contact Andrea Severson with questions or to register for an open house:
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Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
Being fully present in the moment and cultivating awareness can build stress resiliency and positively impact your everyday life. Learn to access and reinforce your natural capacity to actively care for yourself and others around you. Live on-site Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction begins soon! Taught by a certified MBSR instructor, Allison Peet. CEUs for mental health therapists, clergy and teachers in Iowa.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - Live on-site: Begins September 14
There’s compelling evidence supporting the fact that mindfulness meditation, when practiced regularly, can lead to:
- Structural changes in the brain that can increase mental performance
- Reduced genetic aging because of the impact on gene expression
- Improved communication skills
- Enhanced immune function
Course objectives:
- Learn how to meditate and integrate a more wakeful presence in your daily life.
- Increase mental performance and emotional intelligence.
- Cultivate a sense of self-compassion and resilience.
Fall Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction will be offered in person at the Center beginning in September. Register early, space is limited to 12 people. Taught by a certified MBSR instructor. CEUs offered for mental health clinicians, clergy and teachers in Iowa.
Required Orientation: Tuesday, September 14, 2021 – 9:00-10:30AM
Class Dates & Times: Tuesdays, September 21 – November 16, 2021 – 9:00-11:30AM
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Mission Statement and more |
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THANK YOU to our 2021 Board of Directors |
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- PRESIDENT / Andrea James, Wells Fargo
- VICE PRESIDENT / Sally Wallace, M.B.A., retired, Iowa Clinic Chief Operating Officer
- IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT / Marti Wade, retired, Workiva
- SECRETARY / Greg Nichols, Iowa Student Loan
- TREASURER / Joe Lee, RSMUS audit firm
- Kevin Carroll, Behavioral Health Services for Unity Point Health
- Elizabeth Coonan, Dentons Davis Brown PC
- Kathleen Fehrman, Fehrman Investments, L.L.C. and Iowa Transportation Commission
- Tom Fischer, retired, GuideOne Mutual Insurance and Pioneer Hi-Bred International
- Jane Funk, West Bank
- Linda Goeldner, Consultant focusing on association management support
- Mary Gottschalk, retired, Financial Consultant
- Sue Mattison, Drake University
- Reo Menning, RINAlliance
- Shirley Poertner, retired, Poertner Consulting Group
- James Rasmussen, UnityPoint Health Des Moines
- David Sagula, Principal Financial Group
- Kendra Simmons, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
- Erica Shannon Stueve, Iowa Primary Care Association
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Mission: We walk with people through counseling and education to find hope and healing, and live a fulfilling life.
Vision: The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center will be recognized as the welcoming place for those seeking inspiration, hope, and healing of mind, body, and spirit.
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Terri Mork Speirs
Director of Community Relations
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center
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