About Us
Saint Luke Institute (SLI) is an independent, international, multiservice Catholic mental health treatment and education center. We are dedicated to healthy life and ministry for priests, deacons, religious, laity and all who serve the Church.
We provide clinical evaluations, multi-month day treatment care, outpatient mental health treatment, integrated spiritual care, spiritual direction, candidate assessment for clergy and religious life, consultations for Church leaders, education and wellness programs.
For five decades, we have cared for the mental wellness and spiritual needs of thousands of Catholic clergy, as well as women and men religious. In doing so, we have helped hundreds of Catholic institutions around the world better serve their parishes, missions and organizations. SLI conducts its ministry in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
We work with ministers and leaders of other Christian communities and faiths in need of mental health care as well.
Our work also includes:
- Providing focused outreach to dioceses and religious communities of women and men
- Building educational offerings and wellness programs
- Responding to emerging needs of those in ministry
- Researching and educating about the care of people in ministry
- Reaching out to the wider community, as well as philanthropic agencies and persons for financial and other support
- Inviting conversations or consultations around critical issues impacting those in ministry
Our Mission
Furthering Christ’s healing ministry through psychological, spiritual and educational services for those who serve the Church.
Our Vision
Fostering healthy ministers for a vibrant Church
Core Values
Compassion | Respect | Dignity
Our History
For nearly five decades, Saint Luke Institute has brought the healing ministry of Christ to thousands of Catholic clergy and men and women religious. In doing so, we have helped hundreds of Catholic institutions around the world better serve their parishes and missions.
Founded in 1977 as an outpatient substance abuse program in the Washington, D.C., area, today the Institute serves clergy and religious throughout the English-speaking world who suffer from a broad range of psychological and behavioral concerns. Since its founding, SLI has served over 15,000 individuals through our residential, outpatient, and education programs.
A hallmark of Saint Luke Institute is our capacity to update and expand services to meet professional behavioral health standards and our clients’ changing realities on a national and international scale. Key milestones include the launching of the following programs and initiatives:
Presidents Emeriti
Rev. Quinn Conners, O.Carm, Ph.D.
Rev. David Songy, O.F.M. Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D.
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1977 - Saint Luke Institute founded
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1993 – women’s residential program
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1994 – halfway house program
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1997 – publishing of a quarterly educational newsletter, now LukeNotes
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2000 – outpatient department in Silver Spring, Maryland
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2005 – a location in Manchester, England
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2011 – a location in Louisville, Kentucky
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2012 – a location north of Baltimore, Maryland, and launching SLIconnect for online education
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2013 – a temporary location in St. Louis, Missouri
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2017 – a flexible-length residential program
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2021 – transition to day-treatment outpatient care and office location in Silver Spring, Maryland
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2025 – day-treatment outpatient care program named Emmaus Program
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2025 – Rev. Patrick J. McDevitt, CM, Ph.D. named President & CEO
Accreditation & Licensure
Saint Luke Institute is accredited by The Joint Commission. Our Emmaus Program is licensed by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Joint Commission is an independent, objective evaluator of health care organizations. Accreditation from the Joint Commission is a “gold seal of quality” and a mark of distinction for quality of care and patient safety. Saint Luke Institute has continuously achieved this standard of quality over many decades.
