Renfrew Center Therapists?

[lotus1922]

Hello everyone and blessings on this mother’s day!

I am curious to know if anyone here is familiar with the Renfrew Center and its treatment philosophy and programs. They are a mental health facility that seems to cater to the Christian and observant Jewish communities to treat women’s mental health issues such as depression and eating disorders.

My parish will be hosting a “creative prayer” program, incorporating prayer & spirituality with art activities. The whole thing will be put on by a licensed art therapist (Lori Kelmar) who is associated with the Renfrew Center. I’m intrigued by the concept, but of course am wary of it being a “new age” intrusion on true Christian teaching. The Renfrew Center website seems harmless enough but would appreciate any other vouching someone could provide.

Thanks!

 

[Ancient1]

You don’t provide links to Renfrew, to your parish or to Ms. Kelmar’s CV. However, one thing jumped out at me just from your description of the “creative prayer” event. It is not being led or facilitated by a priest, or even necessarily a Catholic. It is being led by an artist. Any day of prayer in a Catholic parish should be under the direct leadership of a qualified person. One naturally hopes for a priest, but nowadays, perhaps a layperson with special training or a deacon or such. But not an artist, she is not qualified as a spiritual leader of Catholics. If she is PART of the program, fine. If a priest is guiding folks in prayer and explaining the concepts, and this lady includes some instruction in art for self-discovery or feelings and such, that’s OK. But I’d bet that you will find a dozen heresies in her presentation, unless she is a devout Catholic, in which case she would not thrust herself into this position of authority lacking the credentials.

 

[lotus1922]

Good point. It’s hard to tell from the announcement of the program exactly what will be going on, whether there is actual prayer and spiritual formation going to take place or more of a creative arts class with a “religious” twist. You can see it here in the church’s bulletin: stmarkplano.org/documents/Bulletins/0513089final.pdf Go down to the last page and it is the ad on the left side with a paint palette. I suppose I could give them a call and see if anyone has more detailed description.

As for Lori Kelmar, the closest I could find to a CV is her professional LinkedIn page. Apparently she graduated from the Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2006, did a 2-year internship with the Family Time Foundation, and has been an LPC intern at the Renfrew Center since 2010. Can’t really find any more info on her online than that.

The Renfrew Center website is here: renfrewcenter.com/

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Looks harmless enough to me. “Quiet your mind” is a good thing, and can come in many ways like sitting in a park or engaging in art.

When I was in hospital they had music therapy. We chose music from a box of cd’s to play for each other.

It says to experience God through art. That’s like saying experience God through a walk on the beach.

I might go to such a thing, if I felt like spending 60 bucks on it. For no charge I can play all the music I want on my piano, and experience God that way.

Alan