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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Taking a Break and Enjoying the Sun and Sea at NCTS-East
Left to Right: Barbara McGuire, David Baker, Francine Angel Hernandez and John DeVelder
The Fall NCTS EAST was awesome! This was the largest yet! We had 68 attendees. The Stella Maris Retreat only holds 45, but many of the attendees stayed at hotels and some were commuters. The power of the small group still is the crux of NCTS. We had ten small groups, four of which were Supervisors in training. The other six were made up of staff chaplains, chaplain interns, chaplain residents and certified chaplains. During the presenters’ report session, there was evidenced of critical reflections and critical feedback taking place in small groups. The energy of the attendees was refreshing! Stella Maris Retreat, located on the ocean gave a fresh breeze and new life to this seminar. Just hearing the attendees share in this experience was a true reflection of recovery of souls.
Our presenter, Dr. Roy Gaton, helped us to revisit how we take care of ourselves as caregivers. We were admonished to be cognizant of the need to preserve health (physical, emotional, mental, etc.) He gave a crucial example of self-care, “If you are in an airplane they teach you to first inhale the oxygen from the mask so you can help someone else. You put the mask on yourself first and then you can assist your children or others. For if you don’t take care of self first, you could very well loose consciousness.” To avoid losing ‘consciousness’ there need to be a major shift in how we take care of our selves thus avoiding Compassion Fatigue. We as caregivers need to discover ways to reframe our care giving. We need to stop neglecting the care of self. And we are being self-centered when we focus on our needs. In fact, if we fail to focus on caring for our selves we have really missed a command of God, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” We cannot take self out of the equation.
Don't be deceived - this is not being self-centered - this is learning to love self and your value. Self Care is both Natural and Spiritual and begins with YOU!
Dr. Gaton encouraged us to live outside our tendency. Stop living from the head out. Our tendency is to focus solely on others at the expense of our own health. Health is inner peace. He encouraged us to blossom in the presence.
Dr. Gaton admonished that anxiety leads us to negative thinking. Live fully in the present and be in touch with all of who we are. We need to avoid the tendency to go back with regrets or to look toward the future with fear. STAY in the presence. We can choose to be peaceful inside regardless of what is going on outside. When we are facing any situation: Learn how to RELAX.
The Tavistock as always engendered a lot of energy around issues of gender and boundaries. It allowed space for persons to wrestle with inner personal issues that may have in fact been some of the unspoken group issues. There seemed anxiety in those who continuously shared who may in fact have been the container for much of the energy housed in the silent members.
All in all this was a very dynamic overnight seminar. We look forward to others to follow.
Francine Angel Hernandez
NCTS Director
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at November 21, 2011 8:25 AM
