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.
« February 2011 | Main | April 2011 »
Over the years I have often reflected on these words from Jim Bugental (The Art of the Psychotherapist, PP. 271-272.) Looking at them still again tonight I am aware that perhaps they refer not only to the life of the psychotherapist but to so many “soul-workers” in CPSP: psychotherapists, pastoral counselors, chaplains, training supervisors. People of “the recovery of soul.” -James Gebhart, PhD
Being a therapist means being a nomad, being God-like, being insufficient, being Satanic, being under threat, being intensely loved and hated, and being self-questioning. Our work’s frustrations are that we are always uncertain, that always we confront resistance from those we would help, that our successes are always less than complete, that our failures may be hauntingly clear, that our best work is often invisible even to the person with whom it is done, and that we are irretrievably alone in our work even though we are with someone most of the time.
Yet all that is but half the story. We are also able to feel and see the results of our career-long personal and professional growth as new opportunities and new vistas continually challenge us. At times we know that we have really made a difference in some lives, differences that will have ripple effects and reach unknown others. There are the occasions when we feel truly seen and confirmed by some of those we serve. And over and above all else we are privileged to peer deeper into the well of mystery than do almost any others.
___
James Gebhart is a practicing Clinical Psychologist and a CPSP Diplomate. Contact: jgebhart@wowway.com
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at 10:29 PM
http://www.weather.com/weather/5-day/Virginia+Beach+VA+23458
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at 10:09 PM
On behalf of the CPSP Plenary organizing committee, we warmly invite you to join us for the 21st gathering of the CPSP community. We meet at the Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel Virginia Beach, Virginia March 27th -30th. We are delighted to have the Rev. Dr. John Patton as our plenary speaker. Dr. Patton served as the Director of the Georgia Association of Pastoral Care & Counselling. He is Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia and a retired ACPE Supervisor. He is a pastoral counsellor and marriage therapist.
Dr. Patton is a prolific writer in the clinical pastoral field. Some of his writings include:
Is Human Forgiveness Possible, Pastoral Care in Context, Pastoral Care: An Essential Guide and From Ministry to Theology: Pastoral action & Reflection. He is also an associate Editor of Abington’s Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling and a retired Methodist minister.
The CPSP plenary gathering is unique in many ways and one of the most important aspects of our gathering is the mutual sharing of our work and our lives in a small group context. Please come prepared to share yourself and your clinical work as we come together to hear each and to respond to each voice in the community.
Your participation in the gathering is essential to the success of the event and we look forward to your arrival.
Blessings,
Barbara McGuire
Al Henager
George Hankins Hull
CPSP 2011 Plenary Organizing Committee
DOWNLOAD: 2011 CPSP PLENARY PRE-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
DOWNLLOAD: 2011 CPSP PLENARY SCHEDULE
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at 11:49 AM
Our hearts go out to the tens of thousands in Japan who have lost loved ones and property, and are now threatened by radiation. There are several reliable ways to contribute funds to assist those in need. The American Red Cross permits a donation via texting: Text REDCROSS to 90999 as a way of donating $10, call 800-733-2767 or go to Apple’s iTunes and contribute through your account. The Salvation Army permits the same $10 donation by texting Japan at 80888 or phone 800-725-2769. And there are other reliable agencies as well.
The victims of this disaster are also in need of competent pastoral clinicians but it is not clear how to address that need. The Governor of Tokyo was reported by NPR to have explained that the earthquake and tsunami were divine punishment for Japanese greed. This kind of theology is enough to turn people permanently away from any kind of religion. Of course this kind of religious nonsense is not unique to the Emperor or to Japan. The Rev. Pat Robertson made similar proclamations about a hurricane battering the U.S. coast awhile back, and others have proclaimed Katrina’s assault on New Orleans to be the consequence of sin in the Big Easy. It is dismaying that those in Japan, having been assaulted by earthquake, tsunami, and radiation are further assaulted by religious banality.
We are in a profession that is widely high-jacked by the most banal and simplistic pontificators. We experience professionally a kind of tsunami of our own as religion is reduced to simple mechanics. Nevertheless, we must stay on course, testify to what we know, and reach out as well as we can to those in need, such as those in distress, and especially those today in Japan.
Raymond J. Lawrence, CPSP General Secretary
raymondlawrence@me.com
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at 10:08 AM
William Alberts, CPSP Dipomate and a regular contributor of articles to the Pastoral Report, shared an Irish toast he recently used in an ecumenical service.
Here's to you as good as you are.
And here's to me as bad as I am.
As good as you are and as bad as I am;
I'm as good as you are as bad as I am.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
__________________
Bill Alberts is a hospital chaplain at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Alberts is a nationally known writer and an occasional contributor to Counterpunch. In addition he is convener of the New England Chapter of CPSP. He can be reached at william.alberts@bmc.org.
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at 8:18 AM
Harry Walker died yesterday, March 13. Harry was a big presence in CPSP from almost its very beginning. Harry was a gentle giant, a big man with a tender heart. He seemed always to be on the side of the disadvantaged and hurting. His voice was strong and he spoke with courage. Unfortunately Harry has not been much with us in the past several years. He had a long slow decline. He has been suffering various physical ailments, including kidney failure, and has been increasingly debilitated in recent years. Many of us may feel we neglected him in his decline. It is hard to see a strong man lose his powers little by little, as Harry did. Below is the schedule for receiving and funeral. Harry's widow, Della, would be happy to receive messages from those who loved and respected Harry.
-Raymond Lawrence, CPSP General Sccretary
Below are the arrangements to honor Harry Walker:
Receiving 5:30 to 7:00 Tuesday, March 15th
Cecil Burton Funeral Home
106 Cherryville Road
Shelby N.C. 28150
704-480-8383
...
Funeral 11:00 Wednesday, March 16th
Sandy Plains Baptist Church
2112 New House Rd
Shelby, NC 28150
For additional information, please contact John Robbins: jrobbins@catawbavalleymc.org
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at 12:43 PM