The Thomistic Institute of Psychology is dedicated to restoring a holistic understanding of the human person to the field of mental health. By integrating the profound wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas with contemporary psychological knowledge, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach to mental health and illness.

Our work is primarily focused on equipping mental health professionals with the tools and framework to provide care that is both scientifically sound and deeply rooted in human dignity. Additionally, we offer support to clergy and are laying the groundwork for future generations of psychologists to embrace a Thomistic perspective.

Through research, education, and clinical practice, we seek to offer a compelling alternative to prevailing psychological models while preserving and building upon their valuable contributions.

Fr. Ripperger was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1964. He earned two bachelor’s degrees, in theology and philosophy, from the University of San Francisco; and two master’s degrees, one in philosophy from the Center for Thomistic Studies of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, and another in theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. He joined the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter(FSSP), which sent him to Rome to receive his doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

After being ordained a Catholic priest on June 7, 1997, he spent a year in a parish in Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked in the diocesan St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska. After working for four years in the Seminary, he was assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska, which is the primary American seminary of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, where he taught dogmatic and moral theology and philosophy for six years. He also served as a pastor in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for three years.

He served as an exorcist for the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma from 2012 to 2016, and thereafter moved to the Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado. Ripperger left the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter so as to found the new priestly community of the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother (the Doloran Fathers). Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver instituted the Society as a public association of the faithful. It is presently housed in Keenesburg, Colorado

Fr. Chad Ripperger

Jeanne-Marie is a clinical social worker whose unique application of the Thomistic philosophical approach has helped many struggling with emotional and spiritual issues. She credits this methodology to Dr. Patrick DiVietri, a former adjunct professor at Christendom College and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, who distilled the works of Fr. Chad Ripperger into a reasonable and useful approach for counseling.
Grateful to be able to share this treasured information with others, Jeanne-Marie trains mental health professionals, members of the clergy and laity in Thomistic Psychology primarily through Monte Christo and the Thomistic Institute of Psychology. She also provides mental health consultation to Monte Christo and assists the Societas Matris Dolorisissimae (SMD), a semi-contemplative order of exorcist priests, with cases.

Jeanne-Marie incorporates 30 plus years of direct counseling experiences with knowledge from her work as a medical social worker and case manager, strategic planner and trainer. These skills, along with a passion for theology and philosophy, provide a distinct foundation in her work as a therapist and educator.

Jeanne-Marie initially worked in the health care industry in varied roles in acute care, physical rehabilitation and home health settings. After 15 plus years in health care, she transitioned into the health and life insurance industry, where she coordinated training and employee development programs. ​Post Hurricane Katrina, she worked for the U.S. Senate as a liaison for community development where she was able to apply her administrative/planning skills to assist communities throughout Louisiana.

​Since 2013, she has worked on a contract, project-specific basis for several nonprofit entities. She has also enjoyed providing direct counseling/clinical social work services using a Thomistic psychological method throughout the past several years, offering perspectives that direct people to God as the source of happiness and fulfilment.

Jeanne-Marie Ganucheau, MSW, LCSW

Mr. Kyle Clement is the Director of Formation and Training for the Societas Matris Dolorosissimae (SMD). The Society is an order of semi-contemplative exorcist priests and lay assistants who provide formation and consulting services to cardinals, bishops, exorcists, priests, mental health professionals, and law enforcement agencies in the areas of exorcism and extraordinary diabolical activity.

Mr. Clement has worked with exorcists and their support personnel for the last 20 years. He was on the founding committee for the Pope Leo XIII Institute for the training of exorcists in the US at the request of the USCCB. He subsequently taught and formed priests, as well as their support teams, through the Pope Leo XIII institute for several years.

Mr. Clement’s association with Fr. Chad Ripperger, PhD preceded the founding of the SMD. Currently, he assists the SMD by providing exorcist formation and training for parish priests, mental health professionals and deliverance teams using the Liber Christo Methodology which is a model based on his collaborative work with Fr. Ripperger. Mr. Clement has presented on topics related to spiritual warfare both domestically and internationally at public conferences as well as diocesan convocations and clergy training retreats.

Kyle Clement

Dr. Lipetzky is a psychologist in private practice in the Boise area since 1995. He works with couples, families and individuals of all ages. Dr. Lipetzky helps his clients understand the logic behind their emotions. Once they understand how their mind (logic) and heart (emotions) work, they are better able to use their new tools to reduce or stop depression, worries, pain, and relationship problems. Marriages improve and children behave better once these principles are put into place. They learn how to meet their needs in a healthier way and break the abusive cycles of behavior.

Dr. Lipetzky has conducted hundreds of court ordered parenting time evaluations. He is a Certified AEDP Therapist (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) working with adults suffering the effects of childhood attachment trauma and abuse. He is a Certified Clinical Trauma therapist. And, he is a certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist (DBT).

Dr. Lipetzky has been working on the Diocesan Exorcism Team since its inception in 2016. He has worked as a therapist with people who struggle with spiritual oppression, obsession, and possession. He has done presentations on the local and national level on doing therapy with spiritually afflicted individuals and their families. He is actively blending Thomistic Philosophy and Psychology in therapy with clients to help them heal and calm down from spiritual afflictions.

He is a frequent guest speaker and presenter on various topics, especially involving children, parenting, and prayer. Dr. Lipetzky is a regular guest on a local Catholic radio station. In addition, Dr. Lipetzky is presently on part-time staff at a local private school. On his off time, Dr. Joe enjoys trying to get himself lost in the great wilderness of Idaho.

Dr. Joe Lipetzky