History

Solihten Institute, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, is an interfaith counseling network of nearly 40 Centers and over 200 offices in 22 states. It began in Elkhart, Indiana in 1972, when a physician, two clergy, and a seminary professor joined together to create a counseling resource that integrated faith and psychological health. What started as a small, collaborative effort has grown into a nationwide movement dedicated to healing mind, body, spirit, and community.

Formerly known as the Samaritan Institute, the organization moved its headquarters to Denver in 1983 and rebranded as Solihten Institute in 2019. In 2022, Solihten celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of supporting Centers across the country through recruitment, accreditation, education, and advocacy.

Counseling Centers

Solihten-accredited Counseling Centers provide professional counseling, preventive education, and consultation services tailored to the needs of their communities. Collectively, these Centers:

  • Provide over 500,000 hours of counseling annually.

  • Serve nearly 50,000 children, teens, adults, and veterans each year.

  • Offer subsidized counseling to ensure access for those unable to pay the full cost.

  • Promote holistic health by integrating mind, body, spirit, and community.

  • Partner with congregations, healthcare systems, and community organizations nationwide.

    Accreditation

    All Solihten member Centers are required to achieve and maintain accreditation. This process ensures that every Center upholds:

    • Sound organizational structures

    • Effective management and administration

    • High-quality clinical processes

    • Strong financial and personnel practices

    • Professional accountability

    Accreditation includes a rigorous self-study, on-site reviews, and ongoing evaluation to help Centers continuously improve. This careful review process is one of the most valued benefits of Solihten affiliation.

    Collective Impact

    Through its national network, Solihten Institute amplifies the work of its Centers and strengthens the role of spiritually integrated counseling. Together, we:

    • Expand access to nonprofit behavioral health care.

    • Support congregations, denominations, and faith communities.

    • Partner with healthcare providers to integrate behavioral health into primary care.

    • Provide trusted referral networks for individuals, families, and organizations.

    As a partnership, Solihten and its Centers impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year who seek healing, wholeness, and hope.