Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center
Where Faith and Healing Meet: Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center and St. John of the Cross Parish
For decades, the Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center (CDPCC) has provided individuals with a unique path to healing—one that balances both mental health and spiritual well-being. At St. John of the Cross Parish in Western Springs, therapists from the Center, Colleen Narbone and Kristen Ras, are helping parishioners find that path through compassionate, faith-integrated care.
Founded in 1976 by two pastors, William Enright and Dr. Charlie Alcorn in the basement of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, CDPCC has grown into a vibrant counseling center where licensed therapists integrate theology, spirituality, and clinical psychology. “We are founded in the Christian tradition but welcome everyone,” said Colleen Narbone, a part-time staff therapist and longtime parishioner at St. John of the Cross. “Our mission is to inspire hope and facilitate healing.”
The Center’s long-standing relationship with St. John of the Cross allows parishioners to access counseling services directly at the parish, offering a convenient and familiar space for support. “The parish has graciously provided an office, which makes it easier for clients to receive care without traveling to our main office in Carol Stream,” said Kristen Ras, a therapist at CDPCC and religion teacher at St. Francis High School. A parishioner for 21 years, Ras began her journey with the Center as an intern and now sees clients at St. John every Wednesday afternoon.
Both Narbone and Ras are trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a values-based therapeutic model that invites individuals to align their actions with what truly matters to them. “It’s not about fixing people,” Ras explained, “it’s about exploring what it means to have a relationship with a God who accompanies us—even in pain. Faith becomes a companion, not a shortcut.”
Faith is never imposed but gently integrated—only at the client’s invitation. “Some people want to pray in session. Others find meaning in scripture or authors like Henri Nouwen,” said Narbone. “For many who are grieving or questioning, it’s simply about making space for reflection, allowing them to ask hard questions and still be held in love.”
Narbone’s background as a hospital chaplain deeply informs her approach. “I can’t change someone’s circumstances, but healing is always possible,” she said. “The Holy Spirit moves in ways we can’t always anticipate. I’ve seen that again and again.”
Together, the therapists offer a wide range of parish support—from private counseling to community events. They’ve helped lead a support group for survivors of clergy sexual abuse, guided Lenten ACT-based youth workshops, and offered parenting talks grounded in both psychology and spirituality. The Women’s Club at St. John often requests retreats and reflections, and CDPCC’s compassion funds help those without insurance or without good insurance coverage.
For Ras, faith and mental health are deeply intertwined, especially in times of crisis. “Redemption is the Center of our faith story. When people feel stuck or ashamed, I remind them that this isn’t the end of your story. Holy Saturday might last a while, but Easter is coming.”
She adds, “The biggest strength isn’t in going it alone—it’s in asking for help. That’s what the Body of Christ is. We’re all made to accompany one another.”
As St. John of the Cross Parish welcomes a new pastor and prepares to deepen its ministries, the partnership with CDPCC remains a quiet but vital bridge between healing hearts and sustaining hope. For those navigating grief, anxiety, spiritual confusion, or the weight of life’s disappointments, the message is clear: you are not alone.
Please visit cdpcc.org for more information about counseling, groups, workshops, and retreats to support church communities.
