This Residential Program for women religious at the Saint Luke Institute addresses all aspects of the person during the evaluation phase: emotional, psychological, spiritual, social, and physical. The program of treatment is individualized to meet the needs of each sister who comes to work on the problems identified in the evaluation. The average length of stay for treatment is six months. Some women need more time than others to develop the skills needed to manage the problematic issues.

• Talitha-Life
• Goal and Mission
• Foundational Principles
• Program Design and Treatment
• Spirituality Program
• Relationship with the Religious Congregation

Talitha-Life
The name “Talitha” comes from the Gospel of Luke in the Christian Scriptures (Luke 8:49-56):

“While Jesus was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter has died. Do not trouble the Master any further.’ But Jesus had heard this, and he spoke to the man, ‘Do no be afraid, only have faith and she will be safe.’ When he came to the house he allowed no one to go in with him except Peter, John and James and the child's mother and father. They were all weeping and mourning for her, but Jesus said, ‘Stop crying; she is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him, knowing she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called to her, ‘Child, get up!’ And the spirit returned and she got up at once. Then he told them to give her something to eat.”

The Aramaic translation of the command ‘Child, get up’ is “Talitha, kum.” These words have survived intact in most English translations of the Christian Scriptures. Saint Luke Institute appropriates this ancient command and makes them a proper name by which to symbolically name each woman who comes for treatment. On the threshold of womanhood, Talitha is expressly empowered to grow. She is named “Potential” because she will change and develop; she will come to see and have focus. As she grows she will be challenged personally and relationally. She will have the potential to respond to the challenge of life because Jesus’ word is made flesh in her heart. Life in its fullness is restored to her and she is transformed, becoming whole in her “person.” Like Talitha, every woman who enters the Talitha-Life program at Saint Luke Institute is named “Potential” and is expressly empowered to grow and develop. (Adapted from Sisters and Prophets, by Mary Lou Sleevi).

Sister Jane, Staff Therapist

Women entering the Talitha-Life Residency Program often come despondent, depressed, anxious and fearful. During their residency, they are assisted by competent and caring staff to deal with the issues that brought them to treatment. They are nurtured and supported by a wounded yet caring community. Through therapy and bonding in the community, the woman in treatment ends her residency with clear goals and skills to continue on the road to recovery. She leaves with a plan of action and with the knowledge that she is not alone - she will have the ongoing support of Saint Luke Institute and her identified support group during the Continuing Care period. In addition, she leaves with the prayers and hopes of the entire Saint Luke community.

The mission of the Talitha-Life Residency Program for women religious flows from the mandate of Jesus Christ to participate in the mystery of salvation through the ministries of teaching and healing. Care, support, psychotherapy, education and life-skills development form the basis for outreach to women religious who want help to integrate all aspects of their lives, and to better manage the difficulties facing them. Saint Luke Institute is committed to providing the best possible care in a nurturing and supportive community. Each woman is given the time and opportunity to reflect upon the experiences of her past and to develop the skills for growth in freedom and wholeness.

Foundational Principles

• The integration of body, mind, and spirit, essential to the healing process, is at the heart of the Residency Program.
• A primary focus on the needs of women informs all aspects of treatment for the women entrusted to the professional care at Saint Luke Institute.
• Women religious have chosen life in community. It is in relationship with others that problems can be identified and healthy behavioral changes can be practiced. This relational approach is core to the treatment program.
• An environment that balances prayer and solitude, leisure and group interaction enables each woman to face her own darkness, to identify and own what she finds there, and to begin the practice of new behaviors that further health and wholeness in religious community.
• A caring, nurturing, and supportive community encourages women to explore the core issues in their lives and to learn how to live more fully and productively.
• The best possible Continuing Care Program solidifies the intense therapeutic work of the Residential Program, and exists for the two years following the sister's discharge from treatment.

Program Design and Treatment

The clinical staff works closely with women religious in treatment and the leaders of their Congregations to provide in a timely manner treatment that is both efficient and effective. The women reside in a section of the building that provides them their own space. In addition to private bedrooms, the women have lounges, therapeutic group rooms, a computer room, workrooms, and a kitchenette. They share the chapel and dining room with residents of other programs.

Each day is planned to provide a balance of therapy, worship and spiritual practices, community building, nutrition and recreation. Weekends include group therapy, and the opportunity for planned social outings and other leisure activities.

Treatment during the Residency Program addresses the psychological issues for which the woman religious is in treatment and the behavioral changes that need to be made for health. Several times each day, the woman religious will meet with others in groups that utilize different therapeutic modalities to work through these issues and to practice new behaviors. She will also have weekly individual therapy built into the schedule to address her specific needs in a one-on-one setting.

The Residency Program of Saint Luke Institute challenges each woman religious to take responsibility for her own recovery and healing. Accepting this responsibility requires that she be accountable to her peers and therapists for the steps she is taking for her recovery, and that she call others to that same accountability.

Mental health requires some leisure time. Most leisure activity is provided on campus. The lounge provides space for social gatherings in the evenings. TV, movies, and board games are available. The campus is equipped with extensive grounds for walking, running or biking; and, a tennis court is available for residents’ enjoyment.

Residents plan recreational group activities. The metropolitan area of the District of Columbia offers many cultural and social opportunities. While participation is strongly encouraged, these activities are optional.

Spirituality Program

Respecting their unique vocation to the consecrated life, the Talitha-Life Program for Women Religious places special emphasis on strengthening the spiritual life of the sister. When women come to Saint Luke Institute for evaluation and treatment, their vulnerability is evident to the core of their being. Their vision of the Christian and vowed life, often distorted by a false understanding of perfection, is reflected in behaviors that are harmful to themselves and their community, and to those in their ministry.

Opportunities are provided for spiritual growth, integration, and renewal within the context of their call to holiness and their commitment to the vowed life. In the light of this focus, Saint Luke Institute emphasizes a spiritual formation and practice as the way of moving from head to heart in the journey towards a personal and affective relationship with God.

Liturgies and Sacramental Life:

• The Eucharist is offered each day and special liturgies are held to commemorate important events such as our patronal feast of Saint Luke.
• A Welcoming Rite is held monthly during which new clients are welcomed and the community prays for their healing.
• The Sacrament of the Sick is offered.
• The Sacrament of Reconciliation is regularly made available to the clients.
• There is a Commissioning Ceremony twice a month, during which clients who have completed their treatment are sent forth with prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration.
• Clients have a Holy Hour twice weekly.

Other Spiritual Activities:

• Each client participates in a six-week Group Spirituality program during her
  stay in treatment.
• A 30-minute guided Christian meditation is offered twice a week in the chapel.
• Clients are provided spiritual direction every three weeks.
• Clients are encouraged to devote 20-30 minutes in private prayer daily.
• Spiritual reading is prescribed and journaling is recommended.
• Bi-monthly retreat days including the Eucharist, a conference, time for prayer
  and reflection are held at a local retreat center.

Relationship with the Religious Congregation

Saint Luke Institute is accountable to the religious congregation who entrusts the woman religious to its care. Like the woman herself, her religious community has a vested interest in her well-being and continued recovery. Because the relationship between a sister and her community is so vital and because each woman who comes to Saint Luke Institute is a valued member, the Institute is committed to keeping congregational leadership as informed as possible without violating the client-therapist confidentiality.

If you would like to speak with someone regarding our Talitha-Life Women's Program
please call 301-445-7970.

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