Imagine What We Can Do Together
About this time two years ago, front-line responders faced the heart-breaking new pandemic reality. Refrigerated trucks lined up outside hospitals in New York because morgues exhausted their space to store the bodies ravaged by COVID. ACPE compiled a list of chaplains and psychotherapists who would donate their time to support the first responders in NY hospitals.
Almost exactly two years and about 953,000 deaths later, the world continues to struggle with the devastating effects of this cataclysmic and life-changing pandemic and the myriad issues (social justice, health, global and environmental) it brought into stark relief.
Our current and ongoing response will demonstrate to the world our professional roles and how we articulate and express gratitude. (Personal bias: one expresses gratitude by making one’s gifts matter in someone else’s life for the good)
Recently, Shawn wrapped up an extended CPE unit at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. The group of five seminarians has only known ministry in their parish contexts during pandemic times. They provide care to people in their congregations from all walks of life traumatized by two years of pandemic life. During the CPE unit, one of the most critical parts of the curriculum became a trauma-informed care didactic presented by one of our ACPE Psychotherapist members.
After a recent discussion with the Chief Nursing Officer at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, Shawn reached out to Claire, another ACPE Psychotherapist member and current Board Member, to consult on how to skillfully address the unique dynamics of stressed health care workers. The peak intensity of the pandemic trauma evolved into a new phase of stress, depression, and anxiety. Shawn and Claire became thought partners in approaches and resources in ACPE that might provide nuanced care.
As the two worked together, dots began to connect. During a Psychotherapy Commission retreat last year, an initiative called for social gatherings of psychotherapists and other ACPE colleagues. The ‘meet and greets’ were meant to develop deeper, collaborative working relationships. The pandemic hindered the gatherings, but this current situation highlights the need and provides an opportunity to pool and expand our resources as an organization committed to bringing a healing presence to a hurting world. Indeed, “the whole needs to be greater than the sum of its parts.”
Below are two proposals to support one another more wholly and formally and meet the world’s needs:
- Psychotherapists specializing in trauma-informed work, complicated and compounded grief, and systems dynamics, be invited to support a local CPE Center. Psychotherapists can even “beam in” from anywhere in the world. ACPE could compile a list of psychotherapist members willing to provide this support.
- ACPE could also explore fostering connections between local centers and psychotherapists to develop referral sources. CPE Centers could identify psychotherapists and their specialties in their area to support educators, staff, students, and patients (discharge planning). One available tool is the new ‘ Find a Therapist directory on the ACPE website.
Theologian Frederick Buechner noted, “vocation is where our greatest passion meets the world’s greatest need.” ACPE’s resources are what the world needs right now. As educators and psychotherapists, we have a collective wisdom that our institutions and communities need. As we look toward the self-study and strategic planning process, you will have the opportunity to share your ideas about how ACPE impacts a hurting world.
Rev. Shawn Mai, ACPE Certified Educator at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN, serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. He may be contacted at shawn.mai@parknicollet.com
Claire Bamberg is an ordained UCC minister, a licensed mental health professional, and professional certified coach from Randolph Center, VT. She is an ACPE Psychotherapist Member currently serving on the Board of Directors and may be contacted at info@goodbetterbestcoaching.com.