Joanne G. Halt, M.A. holds a Master’s degree in counseling from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Illinois and is working on certification for Nevada. She has been employed in the social service field working in the field of   domestic violence and misdemeanor correctional casework, as well as in the business field working in the airline industry.   Since her husband’s ordination as a Deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1978, Joanne has provided pastoral care in a number of different ministries for the Archdiocese of Chicago including: annulment advocacy, alcoholism and substance abuse outreach, Project Rachel post abortion counseling, and outreach to families of those suffering from chronic mental illness.  Since their move to the Las Vegas Diocese in 1999, Joanne has served as Diocese of Las Vegas Victim Assistance Coordinator from 2002-05 by providing advocacy for victims of clergy sexual abuse and co-coordinating the education of staff and volunteers in child sexual abuse prevention.  She is a certified facilitator of Introductory Workshops on Centering Prayer for Contemplative Outreach International.  She assists with liturgy and co-ordinates the funeral ministry at Christ the King Catholic Community.  Her certification in Spiritual Direction is from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago. She is the mother of three sons and the grandmother of 4.