Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South

Register today! Use the QR code or register at https://samaritanmidsouth.org/events/

We are so honored and excited to have been selected by the GiVE 365 Memphis community as a 2024 grant recipient!! Thank you so much for investing in our mission to make high-quality professional counseling accessible and affordable for more Memphians!

Congratulations to the 2024 GiVE 365 grantees! Tonight, eight nonprofits were awarded a total of $57,600 to advance the theme Mind Matters: initiatives that provide preventative and restorative mental health services and foster collective healing.

Kudos to Apple Seeds,Inc Carpenter Art Garden CasaLuz Memphis Iammysisterskeeper Indomitable Women of Incarcerated Men Memphis Child Advocacy Center Refugee Empowerment Program Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South.

We look forward to a year of sharing grantees’ stories and engaging in their work!

What a great day we had at Samaritan! Thank you to everyone who showed up for (or otherwise supported) our first Mental Health Lunch and Learn event! It was a great success thanks to all of our sponsors, our speaker, our caterer, our staff, board members and volunteers!

Have you registered for our Mental Health Lunch & Learn event scheduled for Wednesday, May 1? The event (including lunch) is FREE, thanks to our generous sponsors, but pre-registration is required by April 26.

Register at https://bit.ly/4aXtkiI

REGISTER TODAY (USING LINK BELOW) FOR OUR FREE MENTAL HEALTH LUNCH & LEARN EVENT ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 12-1 PM, AT FIRST BAPTIST MEMPHIS (200 E PARKWAY S).

The event is FREE due to the generosity of our sponsors. But pre-registration is required. Hope to see you there!

https://bit.ly/4aXtkiI

We are grateful for the inspirational message shared by actor/mental health advocate, Sean Astin, at today’s Methodist Healthcare Foundation’s breakfast event. Samaritan’s Exec Director, Kristin Fox-Trautman, was joined by board member, Tracy Patterson, and Samaritan counselors, Don Anderson and Terez Carter.

Astin’s message was one of hope for any person going through a mental health challenge and encouragement for all mental health serving organizations to keep up the important work and to keep pushing to increase access to care for all. We couldn’t agree more!

We are thrilled to welcome three new members to Samaritan’s Board of Trustees!

Genevieve Thomas, LPC-MHSP
Genevieve is a licensed psychotherapist and the founder of Mindful Living Innovations. Through her private practice, Genevieve provides psychotherapy treatment for those experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, behavioral concerns, life transitions, conflict, and anger management. Genevieve received her B.A. in Psychology from Christian Brothers University and her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She is an active member of Friendship Baptist Church.

Dr. Sean Phipps, PhD
Dr. Phipps is a clinical child/pediatric psychologist who recently retired following a long career at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he served as the initial chair of the Department of Psychology. His research, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and numerous private foundations, examined the coping and adjustment of children with cancer and their families, focusing on psychological resilience and the pathways and mechanisms for healthy adjustment outcomes following traumatic illness. In retirement, he enjoys spending more time with his grandchildren, and he and his wife love to travel.

John M. Gilmore
John is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Anthropology Department at the University of Memphis. He is the pastor and spiritual director of Open Heart Spiritual Center in Memphis. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University, an M.Div. from Southern Methodist University, and an M.A. from the University of Memphis. John has worked for several local nonprofit organizations, including Leadership Memphis, and has served on a number of boards, including MIFA, United Way of the Mid-South, and Friends for Life.

It is OK to prioritize your mental health. Therapy has many benefits. If you think you could benefit from seeing a professional counselor, give Samaritan a call at 901-729-3900.

Samaritan therapists have a great deal of flexibility, set their own schedules either on site or online and are able to work with client issues that align with their training, experience and interests. We use SimplePractice electronic health record software accessible via the internet.

Area churches provide in-kind office space in Midtown, two locations in East Memphis and one in Germantown, which keeps our costs very reasonable. Our therapists have low administrative/overhead costs which cover their furnished office, telephone answering service, in-office internet, administrative support, license to SimplePractice electronic health record system, professional insurance, marketing/referral sources, and credit card processing fees.

Being not-for-profit, the atmosphere at Samaritan is calm, compassionate, and spiritual. If you're tired of being stressed, overworked and undervalued, and you want to serve a diverse clientele, Samaritan may be a great place for you too.

For full job descriptions go to CAREERS at www.samaritanmidsouth.org/careers

Samaritan is hiring!! We are looking for a licensed Lead Therapist and an additional licensed Staff Therapist. Please visit https://samaritanmidsouth.org/careers/ for details. Please share this with friends, family and colleagues. We would love your help finding the best candidates for these positions. Thank you!

Samaritan Counseling is happy to announce the hiring of our new Executive Director, Kristin Fox-Trautman.
Fox-Trautman comes to Samaritan with 25 years of experience in nonprofit management and leadership, serving in prior positions such as Director of Congregational Relations for MIFA, Director of Operations & Grants for Playback Memphis and the Vice President for Youth Development and the Senior Advisor to the President of BRIDGES, before launching her own freelance nonprofit consulting firm in 2014 and a small local mission-driven business, Inspire Community Café, in 2018.
Fox-Trautman received her B.A. from Rhodes College in 1998 and her M.A. from the University of Memphis in 2004.

Part-time Executive Director Job Opening
Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South seeks a part time Executive Director to be our organization’s leader. For 40 years we have been committed to providing professional counseling services and educational programs to all including individuals with limited financial resources. For Qualifications and Job Description go to CAREERS at www.samaritanmidsouth.org
1. Flexible work hours, location, with virtual options.
2. Collegial and open culture working with dedicated professionals.
3. Active Board of Directors
4. Sound financial condition and plan
5. IT infrastructure in accounting, client records, and fundraising

Samaritan Counseling For over forty years and through three major economic downturns The Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South has delivered compassionate therapy services without interruption. Our philosophy is that the client’s lack of ability to pay does not preclude service. We are guided by our mission st...

Samaritan Counseling’s Youngest Fundraiser
Dr. Lindsay Pate is a psychologist with Samaritan Counseling Centers. Lindsay and her daughter raised funds for Samaritan at their lemonade stand during the Central Gardens Home Tour on September 10th. Thanks so much!

SAMARITAN WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Mary Fortin has rejoined the Samaritan Counseling Board and brings experience from other Board memberships as well as from her career in Accounting and Finance with International Paper. She is a member of Calvary Episcopal Church.
Murray McKay, a retired Electrical Engineer, is a member of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where he has served on the Vestry. Murray has also served on the boards of Constance Abbey and the Rivendell Community, and volunteers with More Than a Meal and MICAH.
Tracy Patterson, Senior Director of Alumni Relations for Rhodes College, has served on the boards of Special Kids and Families, and the Tennessee Shakespeare Company. At St. George’s Episcopal Church, she has been Senior Warden.

Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South updated their website address.

How Psychotherapy Retrains the Brain to Expect (and Feel) Better A therapist can help you understand how painful relationships and experiences in your past have influenced the way your emotions serve you in the present.

Samaritan is alive and well-we now have 9 wonderful and caring counselors. Check out our website at www.samaritanmidsouth.org

SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTERS WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE...

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

The First Week of May is Children’s Mental Health Week

Wear a Green Ribbon

Green signifies new life, new growth and new beginnings. Wear a green ribbon to raise public awareness to better the lives of children and youth with serious emotional disorders and to show our support for these children and their families.

Childhood Mental Illness

Young people can have mental and emotional problems that are very real, painful, and costly. These problems, often called "disorders," are a source of stress for the child as well as the family, school and larger society.

It is estimated that as many as one in five children or adolescents may have a mental problem that can be identified and treated.

Serious depression, once thought to affect only adults, is now known to affect one in 50 children.

Su***de is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year olds and the sixth leading cause of death for five to 15-year olds. The rate of su***de for five to 24 year olds has nearly tripled since 1960.

The first full week in May is designated as National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week to increase the public awareness of well-being and human development of our nation’s children and youth.
• Mental health is essential to overall health and well being.
• Serious emotional and mental health disorders in children and youth are real and treatable.
• Children and youth with mental health challenges and their families deserve access to services and supports that are family driven, youth guided and culturally appropriate.
• Stigma associated with mental illness should no longer exist.
for help call or check out any of these helpful links:
Samaritan Counseling Centers 901-729-3900 or www.samaritanmidsouth.org
NAMI FaithNet www.nami.org/faithnet
Mental Health Ministries www.MentalHealthMinistries.net
Pathways to Promise www.Pathways2Promise.org
Congregational Resources www.congregationalresources.org/mentalhealth.asp

***INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM NAMI WEBSITE***

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

People with mental health problems are our neighbors. They are members of our congregations, members of our families; they are everywhere in this country. If we ignore their cries for help, we will continue to participate in the anguish from which those cries for help come. A problem of this magnitude will not go away. Because it will not go away, and because of our spiritual commitments, we are compelled to take action. (Rosalynn Carter)

DID YOU KNOW…

The magnitude of mental illness in this country is staggering. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, one in every five Americans experiences a mental disorder in any given year and half of all Americans have such disorders at some time in their lives. These illnesses of the brain affect all of us, regardless of age, gender, economic status or ethnicity.

Mental illness affects the mind, body and the spirit. It is a real, common and treatable illness. Mental illnesses are far more common than cancer, diabetes, heart disease or arthritis.

Our faith communities can be an important part of the recovery process through education, support and by helping individuals and families feel part of a caring community.

MAY HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Look for community events to highlight mental health issues affecting children, adolescents, adults and older adults. This is an opportunity to educate your faith community about mental illness and help them become caring congregations for persons with a mental illness and their families. Visit these websites for resources.

• NAMI FaithNet
www.nami.org/faithnet

• Mental Health Ministries
www.MentalHealthMinistries.net

• Pathways to Promise
www.Pathways2Promise.org

• Congregational Resources
www.congregationalresources.org/mentalhealth.asp

• Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid South
www.samaritanmidsouth.org 901-729-3900

****Information obtained from www.nami.org****

Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South Our vision is of a community in which all people have access to quality, compassionate and affordable mental health care integrating body, mind and spirit.

Great article on work related stress. If Samaritan Counseling Centers can be of any help please call 901-729-3900 today.

The Trauma of Workplace Stress: How Therapy Can Help By Chantal Marie Gagnon, PhD, LMHC

Here is a good article about communication. If you or anyone you know needs help with communication skills have them give us a call at 901-729-3900. Samaritan Counseling offers Individual, couples, family counseling or you can bring a friend! Call us today!

The Biggest Mistake We Make When We Communicate (and Its Simple Fix) Start by removing one phrase from your head right now.

HOPE - noun
1.a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
synonyms: aspiration, desire, wish, expectation, ambition, aim, goal, plan, design
2.a feeling of trust.
HOPING - verb
1.wanting something to happen or be the case.
synonyms: expect, anticipate, look for, be hopeful of, pin one's hopes on, want

We all have things we HOPE for. Hope is a good thing! It is the opposite of worry. When we worry we think on the negative...BUT when we HOPE we think on the thing we want or need. We send up and out good vibes and prayers...of hope...on the positive things. So when things look black and bleak and you can not see where you are going or how you are going to get there DO NOT stop hoping and expecting to get there. Do not stop thinking on the good and what you want and need and just keep expecting it to happen. God and the universe hears and responds to that hope, belief and faith.....NEVER give up hoping!

Dr. Betty Winter will be leading a free grief support group called "Yeah, though I walk through the valley" beginning on Wednesday Sept. 16, 2015, 4 PM at First Baptist Church(200 East parkway North, Memphis, Tn. 38112) in the old choir room area of 105 South.
It will be a time of sharing the grief related to the losses not only of loved ones, but finances, employment, divorce, health and other painful life experiences. The group will continue as long as there is interest.
The group will be an hour long and try to finish in time for the 5PM supper and service. The first supper is free.
For any other information please contact Dr. Betty Winter at Samaritan Counseling Centers at 901-729-3900

Endurance is hard...it takes strength, guts, pain, growth and willpower. We are all facing something in our personal or work life that requires a certain amount of endurance. Our hope for you today is that you can find the strength to keep going on despite the hardship. If you need help with something in you life and would like to speak to one of our counselors please call Samaritan Counseling Center at 901-729-3900 and we would be glad to help....

Worry is like praying for something you don't want. Think Positive and focus on what you do want.