Clinical Evaluation
Identifying mental health needs through a caring, comprehensive process
Saint Luke Institute offers a five-day comprehensive psychological and spiritual evaluation for seminarians, clergy, men and women religious, and others seeking mental health support in a Catholic context. The evaluation process results in an informed diagnosis with corresponding recommendations to foster growth and healing.
The client and the ecclesiastical superior participate in a feedback session with our experts and receive thorough, specific recommendations in a detailed written report. This process helps the client and leadership determine a course of action. Options could include care in our Intensive Outpatient Program or our outpatient therapy. Depending on need, referral for external medical or inpatient treatment is also possible.
Clinical evaluations for treatment are conducted in-person at our Silver Spring, Maryland location.
We are committed to providing excellent care at a reasonable cost. We will submit insurance claims for clients who have out-of-network benefits with their insurance.

A Comprehensive & Integrated Process

A Multidisciplinary Team Approach
Each five-day evaluation is led by a licensed psychologist or clinician working with a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals and trained spiritual formators. Our staff of clergy, religious, and lay professionals have decades of experience providing the best mental and spiritual care in a Catholic context. We understand, respect, and value the vocations and ministry of all those we serve.

Clinical Interviews
A series of structured interviews help the team gain a better understanding of the client’s history, psychological and spiritual background. This process includes exploration of:
- Personal and family mental health history, including trauma and family of origin dynamics
- Pertinent medical history
- Behavioral needs or concerns, including addictions
- Emotional and behavioral functioning, including sexual and relationship history
- Family practice of religion and childhood faith experiences
- Vocation story, experience of formation and current ministry
- Image of God and prayer life

Psychological Testing and Neuropsychological Screening
Neuropsychological screening includes an in-depth assessment and testing of skills and abilities linked to brain function. An interview is also conducted to clarify neurological status and gather data to inform diagnosis and treatment. Personality testing is conducted to gain insight into the client’s personality profile and general mental health.

Feedback and Recommendations
The result of a clinical evaluation is a comprehensive diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. The evaluation team, client, and ecclesiastical superior participate in a one-hour feedback session to discuss the evaluation. A detailed written report with recommendations and compiled test results is provided following the feedback session.

Medical Consultation
Medical services are provided on site by the staff psychiatrist, nurse, and an internist. The initial consultation includes laboratory testing, a history and physical, psychiatric evaluation, and an assessment of medication and other health needs.
Planning for an Evaluation

Directions
Clinical evaluations for treatment are conducted in-person at our Silver Spring, Maryland location. Easiest access to our office building and parking is through the parking lot accessible via The Blairs shopping plaza at 1300 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Use the East-West Highway address as your destination when driving or taking a taxi or ride share. Ample free parking is available in the parking lot.
We are located at 8380 Colesville Road, Suite 300, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, the white office building located to your far right as you enter the main parking lot from East-West Highway.
Please call our front office at (301) 445-7970 when you arrive to gain access to our secure building.

Schedule
Evaluations typically begin on Monday morning and end on Friday afternoon. A schedule of daily appointments will be provided to the client when they arrive for the evaluation. Our staff works with each evaluation client to accommodate unique scheduling needs.

Transportation
Our offices are conveniently located near three major airports, each of which include public transit options to our office, as well as rental car options.
- Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) – 30 miles away
- Reagan National Airport (DCA) – 13 miles away (including direct access to Washington, D.C. Metro subway system)
- Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 29 miles away (including direct access to D.C. Metro subway system)
Clients may travel to and from SLI by private car, taxi, ride share, or public transportation. The Silver Spring Metro Station, which is part of the Greater Washington D.C. subway system, is 0.2 miles from our building, less than a five minute walk.

Hotels
There are a variety of hotel options within walking or driving / ride share distance. The staff of these hotels have long-standing relationships with SLI.
- Walking distance: Doubletree Hilton hotel on Georgia Avenue, where we have a discounted rate of $149 per night. Contact the hotel manager directly to get the rate.
- Driving / Ride Share: Residence Inn by Marriott – Silver Spring
- Driving / Ride Share: Home2 Suites by Hilton Silver Spring

Meals
Clients usually bring their lunch, eat at restaurants in the nearby Blairs shopping plaza or downtown Silver Spring restaurants, or access the local supermarket adjacent to the building. We maintain a lounge at our offices with coffee, snacks, a refrigerator and microwave.

Required Forms
Once the evaluation date is confirmed, you will receive an email with documents to be completed prior to the start of the evaluation.
Contact
Cost
We are committed to providing excellent care at a reasonable cost, and will assist our clients with receiving out-of-network coverage.
No clergy or religious is denied admission or service based on an inability to pay. Charity discounts for dioceses and religious institutes are available.
Privacy
We value your privacy. Our therapists follow the strictest confidentiality principles set forth by Maryland and federal law. We will discuss confidentiality with you on your first visit.