Samaritan History: The Making of a Counseling Center

In early 1983, Ellis Hospital Chaplain Gordon Johnston saw potential to launch a Schenectady-area counseling center that focused on both the psychological and spiritual needs of the community.

He gathered interested Schenectady multi-denominational clergy to discuss the pastoral counseling model of the Samaritan Institute of Denver, Colorado. The institute, which oversees a network of Samaritan Centers throughout the United States and Japan, provides counseling and educational programs that emphasize the inter-relatedness of body, mind and spirit.

The enthusiastic local clergy group soon conducted a needs assessment among other Schenectady clergy and physicians. This assessment indicated a strong desire for a spiritual counseling service. After careful planning and following Samaritan Institute guidelines, preliminary board members incorporated in July 1983 as a center. The agency's original name, Samaritan Counseling Center of the Schenectady Area, Inc., was approved.

The Rev. Paul F.G. Wildgrube, pastor of Schenectady's Zion Lutheran Church, became the board's first official president. In September 1983, the center was incorporated and received $500 in support from Zion Lutheran Church.

Information Flurry Begins

An active information and fund-raising drive began in the fall of 1983. Funding from churches, individuals, corporations and foundations was sought. New board members met with existing Schenectady-area counseling centers to explain that Samaritan's mission did not compete with theirs, either for funding or for clients. Board members took pains to explain that pastoral counseling, with an emphasis on spirituality, was unique.

By the summer of 1985, the board had raised $30,000 to launch the center and arranged with Second Reformed Church on Union Street in Schenectady to house the center. In July 1985, David Olsen, Ph.D., was offered the position of executive director. He accepted and launched the center on November 11, 1985.

Concept Becomes Reality

With David Olsen's arrival, the Samaritan concept became a reality. More and more churches became supporters. Clergy actively made referrals. On December 15, 1985, the center hosted an open house and dedication. In January 1986, the following board officers were elected: The Rev. Paul Wildgrube, president; Roslyn Jones, vice president; Marcia Liebich, secretary; and Joseph Lovell, treasurer. This same year, the center received its first of regular accreditations from the Samaritan Institute.

Growing by Leaps and Bounds

By November 1989, Samaritan's staff had reached 11, including two graduate interns. Offices in Clifton Park, Troy, East Greenbush, Jonesville and Johnstown had also been opened.

The early '90s saw continued growth at Samaritan as additional psychotherapists joined the staff, and an Albany office was opened. Samaritan named a coordinator of training to organize the internship program and a clinical director to oversee internal clinical issues, and the center established the tradition of offering Clergy Workshops to community clergy.

Psychotherapy residents and a continued rotation of graduate student interns from the Antioch Marriage and Family Therapy program, SUNY Albany School of Social Work and State University College of Oneonta Marriage and Family Therapy program began training at Samaritan.

In mid-1994 offices in Ballston Spa and South Glens Falls opened as well.

1995 Rings in change and an anniversary

By 1995, Samaritan had outgrown its office space, and the center relocated within Schenectady County to just over the Scotia Bridge at 220 North Ballston Avenue. The main office today houses eight counseling rooms, an administrative office, a waiting room, a staff conference room, a kitchen and three bathrooms.

1995 also marked Samaritan's 10-year anniversary. A well-attended celebratory dinner was held, hosted by Benita Zahn of Channel 13. An endowment fund was established and workshops were held throughout the anniversary year.

Samaritan's Expansion Continues

In 2004, Samaritan added a new site in North Greenbush at the Blooming Grove Reformed Church to provide services to people in the Rensselaer County. In 2007, the office space in Scotia was increased. In May 2008 our newest office at Second Reformed Church in Coxsackie opened.

The Center is proud to have offered more than 20 years of service to the Capital District. Eight Samaritan offices are currently located in Schenectady, Albany, Saratoga, Rensselaer and Greene Counties.