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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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.
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James Gebhart is a practicing Clinical Psychologist and a CPSP Diplomate. Contact: jgebhart@wowway.com
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at March 25, 2011 10:29 PM
