The Journey of Psychological Counseling Services

Prior to starting Psychological Counseling Services (PCS), Pastor Ralph Earle spent 12 years ministering to churches across the country. This pastoral heart and mindset has been a core influence of PCS. In 1970 he received his Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling, resigned his pastorate in Hacienda Heights, California and relocated to Scottsdale. With the help of 19 sponsoring churches he founded Interfaith Counseling Services which continues to serve the valley today.

In 1974, Dr. Earle shifted his focus to private practice and founded Psychological Counseling Services. PCS began as a “mom and pop” operation with a few therapists, including Dr. Bill Retts, as well as Dallas and Nancy Demitt. Dr. Earle’s wife, Glenda, managed the office, front desk, and together they taught couples communication classes.

As business and the group continued to grow PCS expanded to eight therapists. In 1988, Dr. Marcus Earle joined PCS. His wife, Robin, and he inherited running the couples communication program, have led numerous marriage enrichment and parenting programs, and Robin has been the point person and coordinator for many of PCS’s marketing events.

PCS and its therapists have a long history of providing services and trainings in Arizona and across the country. Examples include: working with Arizona Public Service performing psychological testing for the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant; operating an in-patient program at Scottsdale Camelback Hospital entitled “An Alternative to Incarceration of Sex Offenders”; establishing the Family Institute of Arizona in 1982 which trained therapists and physicians in family therapy; and co-leading alongside Dr. Patrick Carnes over 50 weekends of a program called “Leadership Weekend,” now sponsored by the AFAR organization. Since 1991, PCS has supervised over 100 interns, post doctoral residents, and physician assistant students. PCS offers an unique training experience where each student is integrated into the PCS Intensive Program and given the opportunity to work and learn from PCS therapists.

A Change in Direction

In the early 1990’s the introduction of managed care promoted a change in direction at PCS from primarily delivering traditional outpatient services toward experimenting with more progressive and impactful treatment models. Dr. Ralph Earle frequently worked from a team treatment approach in addressing the issues of his clients. He began referring clients for focused trauma work to Marilyn Murray, who was practicing in the San Diego area, and she soon became an integral component of the team approach. Ms. Murray worked with two clients a week for 20 hours each, utilizing The Murray Method which generated significant growth in her clients. It was not long until Dr.’s Ralph and Marcus Earle, in consultation with Marilyn, began imagining how the two models might be further integrated and the PCS Intensive Treatment Program found its roots.

After receiving a large financial gift, PCS founded the New Hope Educational Foundation. The foundation creates an opportunity to work with those with fewer resources to attend a PCS intensive as well as educational opportunities related to personal and relationship growth.

Over the past 25 years the PCS intensive program has grown from a five-day program delivering over 50 hours of treatment to the current eight days and 65 hours of client contact. Clients now receive 35 hours of individual therapy, 23 hours of group work, and 9 hours of a workshop-oriented experience. Although the number of direct client contact hours is a unique aspect of the program, most influential are the therapists delivering the services.

PCS has been graced over its 45-year history to have many gifted and talented therapists. We currently have three therapists, Brenda Garrett, Ken Wells, and Dr. Brian Case who have worked with us for over 20 years each and have been pivotal in our growth and program development. Over the past 25 years, each therapist has made a unique imprint on the PCS Intensive Program. Their willingness to share their expertise and experience is the primary reason PCS experiences the success it does. An additional contribution to our growth and program development has always been those that refer to us. Their trust in us and feedback are essential to who we are. PCS believes we are better when we work together, effectively communicate, and draw on and value the strengths of one another. www.pcsearle.com