Who We Are
“I have always known there was more to psychotherapy than theory and dogma. When you work intimately with someone in this process there is a transcendent quality to the relationship. This aligns wonderfully with the values of PSI.”
– Dr. Joseph Merlino, MD, MPA
PSI Board of Directors
In 1975, resisting common psychotherapeutic theory, practitioners at the Psychotherapy and Spirituality Institute (originally The Center for Human Development) came together to advocate for recognition of the powerful role spirituality can play in addressing mental health concerns.
Science is now catching up to what we at PSI have known all along: that addressing spirituality in clinical treatment can help amplify our capacity for healing and resilience. According to PSI Executive Director, Sarah McCaslin: “Whether or not a client professes religious belief, there is always an orientation toward, or a longing for, meaning making beyond the objective world.”
As a group practice, PSI is truly unique. We are diverse across multiple identities and disciplines, age, gender ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious/spiritual affiliation, and training. Integrating spirituality in clinical practice is the common denominator, but we also grow as people and therapists through our shared experience as a community of learners and healers.
PSI has been providing its services through grant-funded programs and institutional relationships, including spiritual communities and an ever expanding range of community based organizations. We are honored to continue to share what we have learned with our New York neighbors and are excited to be extending our scope globally.
The Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0252, the State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0081, the State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0044, and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services as an approved provider of continuing education for credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors #1153.