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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Dr. Raymond Lawrence with Rev. Aguirre and the CPE supervisory team at Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center
In April and May of 2011 Dr. Raymond Lawrence, General Secretary of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy, and CPSP Diplomate and chair of the Accreditation Committee Dr. Cesar G. Espineda visited the Philippines to provide training and assessment for the clinical pastoral training being done.
On April 20, 2011, in a ceremony in Asin, Benguet, Philippines, Dr. Raymond Lawrence formally inaugurated the first CPSP Philippine Chapter, Baguio City. At the same event, Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center and the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary were designated as training centers of the CPSP in the Philippines. Dr. Ryan Clark, professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Seminary, and Ms. Celia Munson, the training coordinator for Bukal, represented these institutions at the event.
This new Chapter, the second Chapter in Asia after Hong Kong, is the culmination of work by Rev. Joel S. Aguirre, who has worked for several years seeking to improve clinical pastoral care, counseling, and chaplaincy in the Philippines. As part of this, in 2010 the CPE program of Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary was partnered with Bukal Life Ministries to form Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center, an ecumenical faith-based ministry in Baguio City, Philippines. From the beginning the goal of Bukal Life has been to provide clinically competent counseling and training within a faith context.
Dr. Cesar Espineda with several CPE trainees at May 14 Symposium in Baguio City, Philippines
As part of this, Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center (www.bukallife.org) has been blessed to have two primary mentors, Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Espineda. Both have provided invaluable training and assessment for the CPE program, its 23 trainees, and currently seven supervisors-in-training. During his May visit Dr. Espineda, on May 14, led a symposium in Baguio City for 110 counselors, students, and religious leaders. The topics centered on the general theme of the importance of self-understanding in the role of counselor.
Other CPSP Chapters are now being organized in Benguet, Manila and other parts of the country. The growth of interest in pastoral care and counseling in the Philippines, and the potential for growth of this work both within the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia are exciting. Assurances from both Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Espineda of continued partnership and mentoring should ensure that the work of CPSP-Philippines will live up to this potential.
Currently there are eight supervisors-in-training committed to developing their skills in the Philippines: Joselene Gray, Felicitas Panizales, Ryan Clark, Simplicio Dang-awan Sr., Celia Munson, Sofia Natama, and Maria Theresa Leones. The Rev Charles Starr of Pittsburgh has agreed to join Lawrence and Espineda in working with this group of young clinical pastoral supervisors.
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Bob Munson, Director
Bukal Life Care and Counseling Center
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Editor's Note:
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Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at May 31, 2011 12:15 PM
