We are pleased to announce John Peterson, PsyD, HSPP is the MHAM Volunteer of the Month!
John is a volunteer clinician with MHAM’s Pro Bono Counseling Project (PBCP). The PBCP connects individuals, couples, and families who are uninsured, underinsured, and unable to afford the cost of mental health treatment with a volunteer, licensed, and insured mental health clinician. Volunteer clinicians provide short term counseling at no cost to the client.
John has participated in the PBCP since the pilot in 2021. For John, volunteering his time to help others through the PBCP is enjoyable. “I am happier having a small part of my schedule portioned out for PBCP clients. For years I grappled with the repeated task and tension of weighing others’ financial needs and grappling with how much to slide my scale. Then one day I realized I was sliding my scale for people earning significantly more than me. I just wasn’t good at saying no. Now I don’t slide my scale and am happy saying yes to the PBCP. PBCP does the calculus of need and matches me and a client together. Supporting an organization with a mission of increasing access to care and mental health information is important. It’s a no-brainer. I have confidence in those who are developing the organization. As I see it, my time in the PBCP is a contribution to the South Bend community, but I can make the contribution in the flow of my day doing what I feel I do best. The clients, of course, are lovely.”
John earned his PsyD from Adler University and owns Family Psychology of South Bend, LLC. John has over twenty-two years of experience working with couples with a focus on the Gottman method. John is an AASECT certified sex therapist. He utilizes Feedback Informed Therapy in his practice. John, a South Bend native, is married and the parent of one teenage and two adult sons. John enjoys birding, commuting by bike, Zen Meditation, and faith-based community organizing.
Visit the MHAM website for more information: https://mhamichiana.org/volunteer
or send us an email: mha.michiana@gmail.com
To learn about eligibility or to apply to receive counseling services through the Pro Bono Counseling Project, visit our website: https://mhamichiana.org/seek-assistance
We are grateful to receive financial support from
- Beacon Community Impact
- Community Foundation of St. Joseph County
To make a financial gift to support MHAM and the Pro Bono Counseling Project, visit:
https://mhamichiana.org/donate
