Theresa Karminski Burke, Ph.D.

Pastoral Associate, Priests for Life
Founder, Rachel's Vineyard Ministries 

Theresa Karminski Burke, MA, PhD, DAPA, NCP, LPC is the founder of Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries and the author of The Rachel’s Vineyard Weekend Retreat Manuals for both Catholic and Interdenominational settings. She is also the author of the 15 week support group model Rachel’s Vineyard - A Psychological and Spiritual Journey of Post Abortion Healing with Barbara Cullen. (Alba House)  The Rachel’s Vineyard support group and retreat models are now offered in 47 states and 17 countries.

Theresa has facilitated the Rachel’s Vineyard weekend for women and men throughout the country, training retreat teams in the method and process.  She has lectured and trained professionals internationally on the subject of post abortion trauma and healing.  Her books include Forbidden Grief - The Unspoken Pain of Abortion with David C. Reardon (Acorn Books) and The Contraception of Grief – The Genesis of Anguish Conceived by Abortifacients and Sterilization.   Theresa has also published a new retreat specifically designed for those who have suffered sexual abuse entitled:  From Grief to Grace - Reclaiming the Gift of Sexuality.  This new retreat model offers healing to victims of abuse, including those who have survived sexual abuse from clergy.   

Theresa serves as a Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and for the Missionaries of the Gospel of Life.  She is frequent guest on EWTN and served as host of the television series Making Abortion Rare.  She has appeared on PBS, the Religion and Ethics News Weekly, Focus on the Family, Sky Angel’s Defending Life with Fr. Frank Pavone and has been interviewed for numerous radio, television, print magazine and news stories.   

Theresa’s counseling work has focused on women’s issues, bereavement, pregnancy loss, sexual abuse, eating disorders and anxiety management.  She is the co-administrator and founder of Covenant Family Resources, a licensed Children and Youth Agency which supports couples as they build families through adoption.  Theresa and her husband ran The Mother’s Home, a residence for women in crisis pregnancy and their children. 

Theresa holds an undergraduate degree in English Communications with a concentration in social work and a Masters and Doctoral Degree in Counseling Psychology.  She is a Nationally Certified Psychologist, a Certified Diplomat of the American Psychotherapy Association, a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Counselors.  She holds membership in the Society for Catholic Social Scientists, The American Counseling Association, The American Academy of Bereavement and the American Association of Christian Counselors.  Theresa is the proud mother of 5 children. 

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