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.
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On May 6-7, 2008, a group of Supervisors- In-Training and other CPSP members gathered for the National Clinical Training Seminar (NCTS) in Mahwah, New Jersey. The air was crisp, warm and all of the foliage of the northeastern United States was in full bloom. The weather warmed up to the high 70’s, which certainly pleased me as I have lived in the warmth of Florida for the past 15 years. You could tell that God was showing off a bit after the cold and snow of the winter months. There was something hiding in the midst of nature all winter that was in the process of bursting forth with fresh energy and excitement akin to a Vivaldi movement.
But, of course, there was more. There was a keen sense of fellowship. It had only been a few weeks since our Plenary in Little Rock, so I was encouraged to see so many of the same people iat the NCTS who had been at that meeting. It is the individuals who make up CPSP that make it such a warm and stimulating organization. We all walk on level ground when we attend a CPSP meeting. This may not be true at home or work, but it is an accepted practice at CPSP meetings. It is my impression that in CPSP we are all have the same rank – pilgrim.
Then there were the two supervisory training sessions that were led by James W. Pruett, Ph.D. I know Jim well from being a member of the Stoney Mountain Chapter for several years. I knew that the training would be good, but the time with Jim exceeded my expectations. It was great!
The first seminar was titled Contextual Supervision: Isomorphism and Parallel Process in the Clinical Arena. Dr. Pruett expanded our thinking to conceptualize the vast arena that supervision includes. He drew some guidance from Richard Shwartz’s IFS Model for self- leadership, broke down the transference countertransference indicators for us, slid in the impact of parallel process on transference and applied the isomorphic manifestations to all of this. In conclusion, Jim shared the Seven Steps to Effective Prayer by Jim Goure to assist us to “correct the misappropriate use of time and energy dealing with problem solving”.
The second seminar was titled Contextual Supervision: The Bottom Line. Jim challenged us in several arenas, including being a good steward of our spiritual gifts, our temperament, our signature strengths, our relationships, and our opportunities. He referred to the resources of Now, Discover Your Strengths by Buckingham and Clifton to assist us in acknowledging our greatest strengths. The purpose of this is that we might better identify and strengthen the leader within us and those we serve to become better supervisors. Jim closed with challenging us to write our personal theory of supervision so that we might be able to “cultivate the fine art and science of self-supervision”.
Several hours during our stay at the Carmel Retreat Center were devoted to sharing our own Clinical Case Presentations in small group. This is not just an occurrence at a NCTS, but one we practice at our Annual Plenary meeting. An additional goal at these meeting is to review the supervisory process for those who are training to be CPE supervisors. Not everyone who attends is in the process of becoming a supervisor though, all are welcomed. I understand that this has been the vision of our president, Francine Angel, who does a great work in organizing the NCTS’s.
Which brings me to one final observation and point of reflection. During our closing gathering it was mentioned by Raymond Lawrence that the first NCTS was held several years ago because an individual who had joined CPSP was not welcomed at a similar event held by another group that trains CPE Supervisors. The thought was for CPSP to provide its own training seminar so that everyone who is in training to be a CPE Supervisor would have an opportunity to periodically meet with peers for an intense retreat that focused on clinical supervision. I for one am thankful for those who were able to pull off this event and those who have followed. This is my second NCTS and I look forward to more in the future.
Perhaps, as I think about the way God was showing off through the change of seasons during my recent visit to the northeast, CPSP is showing off a bit with the development of the NCTS over the years. The challenges of past, the winter years of CPSP, when the organization was known by few and appreciated by fewer are past. CPSP is blooming…bursting with growth and vitality. The CPSP tree is in full season bloom. I plan to keep enjoying it during future gatherings, as Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto No. 1, La Primavera plays in my head, Springtime is upon us, The birds celebrate her return with festive song.
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Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at June 10, 2008 5:05 PM
