FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What kind of counseling can I expect to receive at Hope Center?

Ken works primarily in three areas: 1) working with couples 2) working with men’s issues 3) working with people who have physical disabilities.  He is trained and certified as a marriage and family therapist and a pastoral counselor.  Before becoming certified as a therapist, Ken was a Chaplain Supervisor in Training at various mental health institutions and medical hospitals.  He worked for over ten years under the supervision of a Psychiatrist until he received his doctoral degree.  As the clinical director of Hope Centers, Ken has been instrumental in the training of numerous counselors and therapists in the Denver area.  He is skilled in a Jungian approach that blends voice dialogue, the contemplative arts and deeply spiritual transpersonal psychology.  Mostly, people just find it easy to talk to him because he is open, honest and kind-hearted.      

What kinds of weddings does Ken Plattner offer?

When it comes to weddings Ken is the consummate professional clergyman.  He has been ordained in the United Methodist Church since 1978.  When a Catholic is marrying a Jew, a Baptist is marrying a Buddhist, or a Non-Believer is marrying a Church-going Christian… then it is Ken Plattner that is often called upon to officiate at the ceremony.  Because of Ken’s clinical background, and because he taught Comparative Religion and Psychology at Regis University for over nine years, he is skilled at helping couples to work out whatever religious or cultural differences might stand in the way of their happiness.  Premarital counseling is his specialty.  Ken will do your wedding ceremony in a way that is personal, joyous, simple, and tailored to your wishes.  Whether formal or informal, casually elegant or modern… whether in a church or in a mountain meadow – the choice is yours… your wedding – your way! 

What sorts of rites, rituals and ceremonies are provided by Ken Plattner?

As a Ritual Elder in the ManKind Project of Colorado, Ken participates in the leadership and initiation of men into the Sacred Masculine (for more info check out the MKP website at www.mkpcolorado.org ).  Aside from weddings, he also does house blessings, massage and body work, directs walks through The Labyrinth under the stars, works with a sweat lodge, leads men’s groups, and works with his clients to create individual rituals of healing and surrender.

How is Hope Center connected to the work of Ken Plattner?

Ken founded Hope Care and Counseling Center at the Shalom Community (now known as Karis, Inc.) under the direction of Swanee Hunt and Mark Meeksin Denver Colorado in 1981.  Hope trained therapists, provided community education, and worked with chronic mental illness.  Eventually Hope moved to its own center and became free standing and independent.  At its zenith, Hope had 11 satellite clinical centers spread throughout the Denver metro area, and performed as many as 6000 client hours per year to a wide range of clientel.  Ken Plattner was Hope’s Executive Director until he went into semi- retirement in 1994.  After two years he returned to take the reins of leadership at Hope Center, but chose to downsize the operation and focus more on the Jungian spiritual aspects of mental health.  Hope then moved its office headquarters to Montview Presbyterian Church at 1980 Dahlia Street.  At that time Ken was beginning to work with the disabled community and he developed The Hope Wheelchair Project.  This led to a union with The Denver Mayor’s Commission for People with Disabilities, and eventually to collaboration with Rick Steves in writing international travel guidebooks for the disabled. 

The current, Nonprofit 501 [c] (3), organizational focus of Ken’s leadership at Hope Center is to provide counseling, community education through seminars and public speaking, artistic ceremonies, and advocacy for disabled people. 

How is Hope Center linked to the ManKind Project of Colorado?

Ken is Ritual Elder for the ManKind Project of Colorado and serves on their Board of Directors.  For more information on MKP’s mission to “change the world, one man at a time”, you can see their website at http://Colorado.MKP.org .  The ManKind Project is a dynamic organization that initiates men into the consciousness of the sacred masculine by offering New Warrior Trainings all around the world.

How is Hope Center connected to Rick Steves and international travel?

Ken collaborated with Rick Steves in a book called Easy Access Europe published by Avalon Press in January 2004.  This venture with Rick Steves is aimed at serving persons with limited mobility that have a desire to travel internationally.  For more information on Rick Steves and his Europe Through the Back Door travel philosophy, you can view his website at www.ricksteves.com .  You may contact Ken Plattner for public speaking engagements or for writing articles on issues of travel for slow walkers and persons with limited mobility.

What’s Ken’s link to The Denver Mayor’s Commission for Disabled People?

Ken is a Commissioner for this Board of Directors.  Ed Neuberg, the Director of the Denver Mayor’s Commission for Disabled People, uses Ken as a spokesman for advocacy and education in the Denver community.  Ken has been instrumental in organizing a website with the Denver Post that supports disabled people in locating accessibility information, using facilities, and attending events throughout the city.

Can I focus on men’s issues if I choose to work with Ken Plattner?

Men’s work and the spiritual pursuit of the Sacred Masculine is a priority for Ken.  Issues of Accountability, Integrity, Commitment and Genuine Honesty are difficult realities for men.  Very few men have the courage to seek the power of living with these as guideposts for a richer life.  Ken uses contemplative silence, connection to Nature / Spirit, and an Introduction to Feelings as a way into self understanding of our Manhood.  When a man seeks this higher road, he is rewarded by finding personal mission, joy and inner peace (the trappings of image and material things, fears and lies, fall away).

Does Hope Center bill my insurance company for counseling fees?

No.  Hope has reduced its hourly fee to an affordable $90 per clinical hour, and we do no 3^rd party billing.  We have found that it is “cleaner” when there is true confidentiality, and no reports back to Insurance Centers or Employee Assistance Programs.  Because we are a nonprofit organization, special arrangements can be made for financial hardship.

Does Hope Center work with person’s who are physically disabled?

Yes.  Person’s with limited mobility or who use a wheelchair is welcome at Hope.  Ken Plattner has worked with this special population for over 20 years.  Not everyone is able to use insight and counseling to deal with the difficulties of life. Call for an initial consultation to see if counseling might be a helpful option for you.

How is Hope Center different from other community organizations?

Hope is unique.   It blends Counseling, Wedding Ceremonies, Rites & Rituals, Advocacy for the Disabled, Community Outreach, Education and Public Speaking, Travel Research and Travel Writing all under one umbrella.  There is not another nonprofit community organization like it anywhere.

Hope Center is the mission, vision and creation of a “better world” as seen through the eyes of the reverend Dr. Ken Plattner.

How can I make an appointment with Ken Plattner?

Call 303 249-7888 for a telephone consultation or email KenPlattner@ecentral.com  to see if working with Ken Plattner might be helpful for you.  Because he has lived in Denver for over 20 years, practicing clinically and teaching in several colleges, Ken knows many practitioners in the city.  He will help you find the right person for your needs.  Ken has three offices in the metro area for your convenience.

Copyright © 2003 - 2008 by Ken Plattner