The College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy is a theologically based covenant community, dedicated to "recovery of the soul" and promoting competency in the clinical pastoral field.
« VA Chaplaincy and Clinical Pastoral Education Requirements by George Hankins-Hull | Main | From the Editor »
Esteban Montilla, a CPSP Diplomate, and Ferney Medina just published an influential book that presents a new paradigm for pastoral care and counseling. Multiculturally competent pastoral counselors/psychotherapists, chaplains, clinical supervisors, and pastors who want in this pluralistic global society effectively serve need to read this masterpiece.
The President of the largest counseling association, American Counseling Association (ACA), Dr. Patricia Arredondo writes about Esteban and Ferney books as follow:
R. Esteban Montilla and Ferney Medina have created a comprehensive guide for Pastoral Care and Counseling with Latinas and Latinos. Through use of Biblical references and metaphors, the authors lay the foundation for an intricate discussion of pastoral caregiving and spiritual guidance. By exploring the roots of Latino culture through historical retrospection and the emergence of a multiethnic and pluricultural Latino society, the authors reveal the complexity that exists within this multicultural community.
They discuss the pillars of Latino culturethe family and religionas two inherently connected aspects of life. The integration of the two lends to a healthy and successful helping relationship. The family is the building block of Latino culture, as the authors detail, and is the source that community members gather their strength from. The value of family is emphasized, as well as how Latinos care and respect for their loved ones. The authors discuss the importance of a religious involvement for families and how the spiritual realm in a point of connection for family members.
Spiritual guidance is also how Latino families deal with problems and instills faith in the future. The authors explore how Latinos have diverse expressions of faith and that each persons relationship with religion is an intimate and transcendent experience. The chapters discuss appropriate clinical helping skills and cultural competence by recognizing the importance of spirituality in Latinos lives and how the family structure and daily life is influenced by this connection to a high power.
Montilla and Medina have created an informative and pragmatic text on an under-recognized helping and healing paradigmthe integration of spirituality into the counseling relationship. Being involved with families on the most intimate of levels and joining their healing process reveals the very deep and meaningful helping relationship of pastoral caregivers, rooted in spiritual togetherness.
R. Esteban Montilla is a Diplomate Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor serving with Driscoll Children's Hospital and the Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health, San Antonio, Texas.
Ferney Medina is a Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor serving with Mission Regional Medical Center, McAllen, Texas.
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at June 5, 2006 8:38 PM
