Lorene Replogle Counseling Center

The Lorene Replogle Counseling Center is Fourth Presbyterian Church’s response to the mental health needs of its congregation and community. The Center’s unique blend of staff from a variety of disciplines enables it to respond to individuals’ concerns. This response is enhanced by the Center’s role as a ministry of Fourth Church, which means that all spiritual issues are valued and all religious orientations respected.

The Counseling Center was established in 1976 through the support of Luther I. Replogle, a long-time member and officer of Fourth Presbyterian Church, and named in honor of his wife, Lorene. Since its founding, the Center has expanded its range of services, growing in both size of staff and number of persons seeking help. The Center derives its support from fees, ongoing contributions, and the support of the mission budget of Fourth Presbyterian Church.

Services

Individual and couples counseling
Short-term support groups
Assessment and referral for persons not sure what they need
or how to find an appropriate resource for their concerns
Educational seminar series on topics of general concern
Bimonthly premarital seminars and premarital counseling

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Hours

9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Appointments may be made weekdays in the daytime and evening, with some Saturday hours.

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Appointments and Fees

Those wishing to schedule an appointment are asked to call the Counseling Center at 312.787.8425. A member of the staff will discuss the caller’s concerns, explain our services, make recommendations, and determine the fee. Once this has occurred, the caller will be assigned to a therapist, and an initial appointment can be made. Clients are expected to take financial responsibility for services received. Fees are determined primarily by the client’s resources; in many instances, counseling services are included in your insurance coverage.

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Educational Seminars

Introduction to Meditation

An Insight Chicago Meditation
and Lorene Replogle Counseling Center Class

Thursdays, May 30–June 27
7:00–8:30 p.m. in the Third Floor Conference Room of Parish House

Join Insight Chicago Meditation and the Lorene Replogle Counseling Center at Fourth Church for an “Introduction to Meditation” class held on five Thursday evenings, beginning May 30.

This class is open to both beginning meditators and those who have a regular practice. The series will focus on the concepts of the Four Noble Truths that underlie the practices of meditation and mindfulness and will be experiential and participatory in nature. “Introduction to Meditation” will offer opportunity to explore this ancient technique that promotes greater peace and tranquility in the midst of our busy lives and has been shown to have many health benefits.

There is a fee of $50 for this class.

To register, call the Counseling Center at 312.787.8425.

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Ongoing Events

A Grief Support Group for those dealing with significant losses will convene for six Monday evenings, beginning October 8, at 7:00 p.m. at the Counseling Center. For further information and to register, call Sharon at 312.787.8425.

The premarital seminar, which is offered five times a year, provides couples the opportunity to learn and practice some of the most important skills necessary to building a healthy marital relationship that will endure and grow.

For more information, download a copy of our premarital seminar brochure or call the Lorene Replogle Counseling Center at 312.787.8425.

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Spiritual Direction

Stopping at a gas station or consulting MapQuest or GPS is often sufficient to keep us, quite literally, on the right road as we travel from place to place these days. For the “inner journey,” assistance may also be needed in recognizing and understanding the signposts that guide us to our most authentic selves and to God’s presence within us and our life experiences. It is for this reason that the ministry of Spiritual Direction developed centuries ago.

What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction is an ongoing conversation between a trained director/companion and a person seeking self-knowledge and an understanding of what the Spirit invites that person to do with his/her life. Through regular private meetings, the seeker is invited to relate, integrate, and embrace his/her inner and outer life experiences and attend to elements of both the conscious and unconscious. The seeker is invited to do this in order to recognize the movement of God in these events; and to respond in a way that leads to greater compassion, freedom and mission. The ultimate goal for the individual is to gain a conscious awareness of and participation in the ongoing dialogue with God that gives meaning to life.

Who are Spiritual Directors?
Spiritual Directors are trained and experienced in listening deeply. By attending to a person’s story, they are often able to point to significant issues or moments in a particular life that open the seeker to the leading and healing power of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Directors
Rabbi Ruth Durchslag, Psy.D.
Susan Schemper, Certified Spiritual Director, M.Ed.

What can I expect?
Meetings are normally 50 minutes once a month, though initially you may want to meet twice a month. There is a fee (sliding scale fee schedule based on need is available). The director provides a safe and confidential space for you to share your story. In your first meeting, information will be sought as to what you desire in spiritual direction. Spiritual direction is not counseling, therapy, pastoral counseling, coaching, or mentoring. It may, at times, seem to overlap with some of what takes place in these other “helping professions,” but each of them has a different focus and unique purpose. Spiritual Direction does not involve telling one how to act or pray in a particular way and is inherently respectful of the uniqueness of each individual and various faith traditions. Spiritual direction will focus on your relationship with God, yourself, and others, prayer, reflection, discernment, spiritual growth, obstacles and resistance.

How do I make an appointment?
Spiritual Direction appointments can be scheduled by calling the Counseling Center at 312.787.8425.

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Lorene Replogle Counseling Center Staff

Thomas Schemper, Ph.D., Director
Elise Magers, M.Div., L.C.P.C., Assistant Director
Whitney Belcher, Psy.D.
John H. Boyle, Ph.D. (Founding Director)
Carolyn Campbell, L.C.S.W.
Kerry Cochrane, L.C.S.W.
Nicole Chmela, L.P.C.
Nathalie Collins, J.D., L.C.S.W.
Susan Cornelius, L.C.S.W.
Rabbi Ruth Durchslag, Psy.D., Spiritual Director
Bethany Elston, M.S.W.
Maureen Garvey, L.C.P.C.
Carl Greer, Ph.D., Psy.D.
Mary Jo Hubick, L.C.P.C.
Nancy Karen, M.S.W.
Susan Millner, M.Ed., L.C.S.W.
Shannon Schaab, M.S.W.
Susan Schemper, M.Ed., Spiritual Director
Roger Thomson, Ph.D.

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