Psychotherapy Commission Initiatives

Greetings to all as we come to the end of this eventful summer.  I pray that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe, and that you have been able to find peace during these challenging times. I especially hold in prayer our members on the front lines of fighting COVID-19. Many educators, chaplains, psychotherapists and practitioners who serve in hospitals and health care centers, mental health practices, and other settings deserve our thanks for their generous service. We pray for all who suffer from racial injustice and we work for a more equal and just society. Finally, I offer prayers for all who have felt the wrath of the most recent hurricanes.  What an end to the summer, and we still have a few days to go in August!

During these difficult times, the Psychotherapy Commission continues its work to build up the community of spiritually integrated psychotherapists and practitioners in ACPE.  Even though we have been restricted by our social distancing requirements, members of the Psychotherapy Commission have met through regular video conferences and have put forward new programs and plans for future offerings and initiatives in the 2020-2021 academic year.  

The first major program launched in 2020 was SIP, an extended training program designed to nurture and support spiritually integrated psychotherapists. The ACPE SIP Program is a multi-disciplinary, inter-spiritual, multi-racial community of persons gathered for education, connection, and formation in the work of spiritually integrated psychotherapy. It serves licensed and pre-licensed professionals from a variety of mental health disciplines. The SIP program also welcomes eligible graduate students from participating programs. Students seeking to explore how spirituality, religion, and the search for meaning influence their lives and the lives of their clients may soon begin work in spiritually integrated psychotherapy through a participating graduate program.

In May 2020, ACPE held its first virtual program for SIP trainers. Drs. Beth Toler and Russell Siler Jones  offered this weekend program to a diverse group of highly qualified ACPE psychotherapists. The program provided an in-depth study of SIP methodology, an experience of the SIP curriculum, and an overview of how to build a SIP Community of Practice.

This virtual workshop prepared ACPE psychotherapists to train, support and provide continuing formation for the next generation of ACPE SIP practitioners. The trainers will present the SIP curriculum in their local geographic areas and offer supervision to licensed and license-eligible professionals seeking SIP certification. They also will offer continuing education workshops, consultation and mentoring for SIP participants moving toward certification, and facilitation of local SIP Communities of Practice.  

In addition to SIP, the Continuing Education Task Force of the Psychotherapy Commission has already hosted at least seven continuing education events this year, with more on the horizon for the Fall 2020. While we certainly anticipate that events will be both virtual and face-to-face in the future, for now, we are planning a number of virtual continuing education offerings. In September, there will be a webinar dedicated to racial justice. In October, the Kanuga Community of Practice will present a weekend program called The Gathering of Spiritually Integrated Practitioners which features plenary speaker Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Ellison II, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.  Visit the ACPE website to learn more and register for these exciting continuing education events.

The Psychotherapy Commission continues its 2020-2021 work with the launch of a program for clergy and non-counselor pastoral professionals, which will pilot later this year. Former AAPC members will recognize this as the Pastoral Care Specialist program. The PCS program has been revamped and updated by ACPE Psychotherapists Aaron Pawelek and Tres Adames. Many thanks for all the work they have already done to make this program a reality.

A newly constituted task force of the Psychotherapy Commission is reviewing the work that has already been done on the updated Pastoral Care Specialist Program and preparing to pilot it in Fall 2020 and Winter 2021. The Pastoral Care Specialist Program enhances basic mental health information and skills for vital helping professionals in congregations, medical settings, schools, and other venues.  It is designed for pastoral leaders and helping professionals such as clergy, nurses, and lay ministers. Through interactive classes and hands on practice, non-specialist helpers can become more attuned to the mental health components of their work.

As a Commission, we always are happy to hear from you, and look forward to sharing your information about gatherings for spiritually informed practitioners.  We are open to your ideas for future programs and gatherings.  We look forward to another exciting year in ACPE.

Peace and blessings for the Fall season.

Joann Heaney-Hunter, M.S., Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, ACPE Psychotherapist

Chair, Psychotherapy Commission