Pittsburgh Presbytery - Mission Agencies

Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute
A Samaritan Counseling Center

UNITED WAY #1231

6324 Marchand Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-661-1239

MISSION

Affirming the existence of a Good and Loving God, and working within Christian and Jewish traditions, the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute (PPI) exists to enhance the health of individuals, families, and communities through an ecumenical ministry of healing and education that integrates the resources of faith and the behavioral sciences.

The general purpose of PPI is to provide, from a pastoral perspective, the services of: counseling and psychotherapy; professional training, supervision, and consultation in counseling and psychotherapy; psychological and career assessment; community education; and community collaboration with organizations and institutions that share PPI's vision and concerns for ministry. These services are offered to all persons who can use them effectively, regardless of sex, race, age, color, or religion.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

Individual, couple, and family therapy that integrates into the counseling process both the behavioral sciences and the resources from a client’s particular religious faith.
Psychiatric consultation and evaluation.
Continuing-education programs for licensed mental-health professionals.
Educational programs to upgrade pastoral care and counseling skills.
Community Education promoting healthy choices and lifestyles for individuals and families.
Career Assessment and Counseling.
Consultation for clergy who are dealing with difficult problems in their congregations.

COUNSELING APPROACH

While every counseling experience is unique, PPI’s overall approach seeks to provide an empathic relationship in which clients can safely and freely discuss their problems and concerns. The main goal is for client and therapist to work together to resolve them as far as possible, along with promoting personal growth, self-awareness, and meaningful relationships with the important people in one’s life. This is a “client-centered”process in which the client determines the particular areas of discussion and exploration in a given session. It also is a “faith-friendly”process in which spiritual and religious concerns can be discussed, if a client chooses to do so.

Counseling is confidential, as mandated by state law and professional ethics. PPI’s services are provided in accordance with the Standards and Code of Ethics of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. All persons who can benefit from pastoral counseling at PPI are accepted without discrimination based on age, sex, color, ethnic origin, or religious affiliation.

HISTORY

Founded in 1964 under the auspices of Calvary Episcopal Church, in the Shadyside area of Pittsburgh, PPI is an interfaith counseling and psychotherapy center. The importance of such faith-friendly counseling services is confirmed by a Gallop poll, in which 81% of the respondents preferred a counseling relationship in which their beliefs were respected and utilized, as well as by PPI’s remarkable growth over the years. PPI currently has a staff of some 45 full and part-time therapists who annually provide over 14,000 hours of counseling and consultation through some 25 branch-offices in five different counties (Allegheny, Westmoreland, Butler, Lawrence, and Fayette).

PPI is an affiliate of The Samaritan Institute of Denver Colorado, and is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare as an Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic. PPI is also a freestanding countywide facility of the Allegheny County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program.

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

The therapy staff includes licensed psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, certified pastoral counselors, and consulting psychiatrists. PPI’s services are covered by most of the area’s major insurance companies, including Highmark, UPMC, Value Options, CIGNA, Health Choices, and CCBHO.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONGREGATIONAL OR INDIVIDUAL INVOLVEMENT

Invite staff of the Institute to do program events and interpretation of the mission of PPI.

INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

PPI provides speakers to address life cycle transitions and developments of individuals and couples and families.

VISIT US ON THE WEB

www.ppi-online.org