Dr. Kathryn Benes, the founding psychologist of Regina Caeli Clinical Services (RCCS), is retiring after a fruitful 23 year career, 21 of which were spent in service to the Catholic Church. She will retire Feb. 5, and will be succeeded by a former student of hers, Dr. Linda Montagna. Dr. Montagna began at RCCS on Jan. 4 so as to provide a smooth transition of leadership.
Benes directed a Catholic Health Ministry from 1994 to 2006 in the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., and in 2011, under the request of Archbishop Charles Chaput and the Catholic Charities Executive Staff and Board, she brought a similar program to the Archdiocese of Denver, which became RCCS.
RCCS not only provides excellent and affordable psychological services to individuals and families, it also has formed a new generation of outstanding faith-based psychologists through its internship and post-doctoral residency training program, Benes said.
The response to the first RCCS clinic in Denver was so positive that it has since grown to boast six clinical sites throughout the Front Range, in addition to providing multiple other outreach psychological services to Catholic schools and archdiocesan ministries.
“I have been honored to work with some of the finest psychologists, therapists and support staff that I have ever known,” Benes said. “The love the Lord and desire to serve Christ and the Church with their lives. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
She added that she’ll miss everyone and that “the people of the Archdiocese of Denver will remain in my heart and prayers forever.”
Benes and her husband, Greg, will be moving back to Lincoln, where she plans to continue to serve the Church in whatever manner she’s called to. She’s currently in the process of establishing a consultation private practice that will assist dioceses around the country with the development of other Catholic mental health ministries.
What she’s looking forward to most, though, is spending more time with her family — and especially her grandchildren.
For more information about RCCS and the services they offer, visit their website here.