New Energy in the New Year
Happy New Year! It’s a strange start to a new year, isn’t it? This time of year typically brings hopefulness and anticipation, visioning, and goal-setting. And yet, in 2022, we find ourselves in the midst of a raging pandemic and economic uncertainty. Reflection on the road ahead feels challenging as a deep weariness has set in for many of us and our colleagues.
If anything, the current challenges highlight our deep need for community, connection, and support. Those dynamics are alive and well in the communities of ACPE. Over the past few months, I have been aware of a new kind of energy as we continue to grow into our Communities of Practice model of connection and development. This new energy is less cheerleader and more honest; it is willing to take stock of what’s working and what isn’t and seek solutions for the needs of the present day.
The good news is that our Communities of Practice continue to grow and adapt and thrive.
Late last year, we initiated a series of focus groups with the leaders of some of our larger CoPs. We heard from them some explicit requests for help in developing leadership models for CoPs that nurture and develop leadership skills, particularly in newer members of our association. In the first months of this year, we will create a resource library for CoP leadership, intending to share models and practices that invigorate CoPs. We will also establish regular consultation sessions for CoP conveners and other leaders so that we can learn together.
In the final months of 2021, the Professional Well-Being Committee approved two new Communities of Practice geared toward psychotherapist members of ACPE. The first of these CoPs is Developing and Supporting Pastoral Care Specialist Trainers. This CoP comprises psychotherapist members of ACPE who provide the Pastoral Care Specialist (PCS) training program. The PCS began in January 2021, though it had its roots in AAPC. It is designed to provide training, support, and practice for clergy and pastoral caregivers who are often on the front lines of caregiving for individuals and families. This CoP is designed for the PCS trainers, that they may learn together, bring in new trainers, and provide discussion and consultation.
The second new CoP is known as the Friday Psychotherapists. This group grew out of drop-in zoom meetings that began in the early days of the pandemic when so many of us were seeking collegial connection amid significant disruption in professional practice. A diverse, international group cohered on Fridays and has continued to meet for connection, consultation, and professional development.
If you’d like more information about either of these groups or about the work we’ll be doing to support CoPs in the coming months, please reach out! I’d love to hear from you.
Katherine Higgins is the Director of Communities of Practice. She may be contacted at katherine.higgins@acpe.edu