Southern Nebraska Register
Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center (IHMCC) welcomed Bishop James Conley Aug. 1 to its new office location, 8055 O St., Suite 301, Lincoln.
Bishop Conley celebrated Mass in IHMCC’s chapel for staff, board members, and other supporters, and reposed the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel’s tabernacle. Father Christopher Eckrich and Father Joseph Walsh, from the Diocese of Lincoln, and Father Ryan Alemao, IHMCC doctoral intern from Divine Mercy University and the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto in Canada, concelebrated the Mass.
This first Mass and reposition of the Blessed Sacrament were greatly anticipated by both IHMCC staff and clients since the counseling center moved to its current location in July 2024.
“To put it simply, the Blessed Sacrament, through the Heart of Mary, is the pinnacle of the work we do at IHMCC,” reflected Dr. Courtney Miller, director of clinical services. The IHMCC staff begins each work day with prayer as a team in the chapel, and clients are welcome to visit the chapel before or after counseling appointments.
IHMCC has served the Diocese of Lincoln since 1995, initially established as a program under Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS). At that time, Father Joseph Walsh, executive director of CSS, along with Dr. Kathryn Benes, clinical director, set out to bring psychology to the people through a counseling program that was Christ-centered, diocesan-wide, parish-based, and financially solvent. In addition, under their leadership, a doctoral-level internship program was established in 2003 as part of the Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology (NICPP). This internship program overseen through IHMCC is not only APA (American Psychological Association)-accredited but also the only Catholic APA doctoral internship program of its kind in the nation to date.
In May 2023, IHMCC became its own independent non-profit organization and reestablished itself as a lay apostolate at the service of the Church. While IHMCC still strives to primarily serve the Diocese of Lincoln, its services can also be accessed by individuals across the state of Nebraska and throughout the continental U.S. This extension has given individuals access to Catholic-integrated psychological services that were previously unavailable to them.
IHMCC has now announced its newly developed mission statement and apostolic priorities as a lay apostolate.
IHMCC’s mission statement is: “As Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center, we are called to serve Christ and His people through Catholic-integrated psychology, formed in the Heart of Mary.”
IHMCC’s Apostolic Priorities are: “We strive to be Collaborators with the Body of Christ; Committed to holiness, integrity, and excellence; Servants of psychological formation and healing; and Stewards of God’s blessings.”
The Aug. 1 date of the celebration also held significant meaning for IHMCC’s internship program, as it marked the start date for three new doctoral interns, bringing the total number of doctoral psychology trainees through the internship program to 39.
Dr. Peter Martin, internship director of integrated training and formation, said, “I couldn’t help but notice the pertinent introduction to today’s daily Mass readings in the Magnificat. It’s a quote from St. Alphonsus Liguori, whose feast is today. ‘If you desire to find him immediately, see—he is quite close to you. Tell him what you desire, for it is to console you and grant your prayer that he remains in the tabernacle.’”
Bishop Conley closed his homily at this inaugural Mass with the encouragement to be “wounded healers like Jesus.”
The IHMCC Board of Directors are Dr. Courtney Miller, president; Jan Frayser, secretary; Father Joseph Walsh, treasurer; Dr. Peter Martin, Dr. Arthur Grinstead, and John Kutcha.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please reach out. More information about IHMCC services is available at 402-489-1834 or www.immaculateheartcounseling.org.
