Washington Headquarters

Origins

A comprehensive vision

In 2022, the idea of establishing a new operational base in Maryland, USA, was put forward in response to a request from a religious community seeking the services of Catholic professionals capable of addressing contemporary mental health challenges while upholding the fundamental nature and purpose of the human being.

To address this need, a decision was made to send a professional from the central headquarters, Licensed Psychologist María Antonella Bertani, to relocate with her family to the community. Her role was to assess the local demand and initiate the implementation of this project. The potential addition of more staff members to the project would be considered at a later stage.

Upon initiation, specific objectives were set, including: establishing a Pharus Foundation delegation in the United States and operating it as the primary headquarters in the country, serving as a hub for psychological training and clinical practice from a Catholic perspective. The plan involved replicating the approach used at our Central Headquarters, focusing on two core areas: 1. The Benedict XVI Academy, a training program for students in Realistic and Integral Psychology of the Person, and 2. Clinical Care, which aimed to establish a local team of professionals dedicated to serving both lay and religious patients.