News

ACPE Theory Paper of the Year Award

Mar 29, 2021

Writing theory papers is the articulation and application of theory to the primary task of CPE—educating spiritual care givers who provide quality spiritual care. The Theory Papers of the Year Award showcases papers that demonstrate quality writing focusing on how a Candidate is facilitating learning for quality spiritual care giving. These theory papers demonstrate for us how we integrate all parts of ourselves as we serve in this most sacred of ministries: attending to the suffering and well-being of our fellow humans and educating our students to do that as well.

Psychotherapy Commission Accomplishments and Strategic Planning Efforts

Mar 29, 2021

While some of our colleagues, especially in the south, are suffering from the effects of wild weather, here in the New York City metropolitan area, I’m heartened to see and feel hints of Spring – crocuses popping up from the ground, more hours of sunlight, warmer days. As a Christian, I give thanks for the observances of Holy Week and Easter. Blessings to all who celebrate religious feasts in April -- may you, your families, and your religious communities be filled with joy!

A Time to Recharge

Mar 26, 2021

All of us need a certain amount of energy in order to remain healthy and functional. That amount varies person to person, yet all of us follow the same pattern. At about fifty percent capacity we feel “normal”, ready to take on the world, ready to fulfill all of our responsibilities, ready to enjoy the people we have around us and our family and friends. Above sixty percent and we feel on top of the world, ready to accept new challenges, ready to go explore life and to have new experiences. Below forty percent and we begin to function less well, we begin to discount ourselves and/or others, we begin to grasp for things that we think will keep us from losing even more energy, like a person near drowning reaching for a life preserver of any kind. Below twenty-five percent and we go into depression and/or high anxiety. And so forth.

Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training works with ACPE

Mar 24, 2021

“Surprisingly transformational.” This is how one ACPE certified educator, Trina Williams-Johnson, described her recent ‘Anti-Bias’/’Anti-Racism’ training with Crossroads’ Antiracism and Organizing Training Group, one of the lead speakers of this years’ ACPE annual conference.

ACPE/APC Merger Vote

Mar 22, 2021

After decades of collaboration and a few years of negotiations, the Boards of Directors of the ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education and the Association of Professional Chaplains met concurrently on March 18, 2021 at 10:00am EDT/9:00am CDT to entertain a motion that the organizations officially merge. Both organizations approved the motion.

The Journal of Pastoral Care Publications commemorating its Seventy-Fifth Anniversary

Mar 22, 2021

Since 1947, JPCP has been publishing The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling (JPC&C) as well as a variety of books that enlighten and educate pastors, chaplains, and counselors. For 75 years JPCP has provided members of our supporting organizations, and the public, research-based and reflective articles. This year, in celebration of our Diamond Jubilee, JPCP is offering special opportunities to our readership and the public.

ACPE Condemns Incidents of Violence and Hate against Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Individuals of Asian Descent

Mar 22, 2021

During this past year, our nation has witnessed a dramatic increase in incidents of violence and hate against Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and individuals of Asian descent. ACPE is horrified by these trends and calls upon us all to fight back against racism and xenophobia.

Reading and Reflecting on White Body Supremacy

Mar 19, 2021

I’ve been reading a book that was written in 2017 AND when I began reading it was the FIRST time I had ever heard the concept the author was describing. When I first read it, I said to myself, “YES!”

The Foundation for ACPE wants to hear from you!

Mar 19, 2021

Promoting innovation is a core function of the Foundation for ACPE. We keep our eyes on the future of the profession of spiritual care providers, educators, and spiritually integrated psychotherapists. Recent trends show that the degree with which ACPE Educators will retire in the next 10 years is not matched by newly certified ACPE educators entering the job market.

Key Theme #4 from the Anti-Bias Survey of ACPE Members

Mar 18, 2021

In preparation for the 2021 ACPE Annual Conference Creating Room to Breathe, ACPE has identified themes from the Anti-Bias survey of ACPE members. In the following weeks, ACPE will be publishing the themes that emerged from the Anti-Bias survey results.

There is beauty in this community waiting to be born

Mar 11, 2021

If you love jazz, you probably know the name of pianist Keith Jarrett. You probably don’t know the name Vera Bandes. In 1974, Vera was working part-time as a promoter in her home, Köln (Cologne), Germany. She booked Keith Jarrett for a concert on January 24, 1975 – quite a coup for someone so young. But the booking was just about the only thing going Vera’s way.

Key Theme #3 from the Anti-Bias Survey of ACPE Members

Mar 10, 2021

In preparation for the 2021 ACPE Annual Conference Creating Room to Breathe, ACPE has identified themes from the Anti-Bias survey of ACPE members. In the following weeks, ACPE will be publishing the themes that emerged from the Anti-Bias survey results.

My Experience Attending the Crossroads Anti-Racism Workshop

Mar 5, 2021

I am not a scholar. And I am not a writer by any stretch of the imagination. But here I am, writing about my experience attending the Crossroads Antiracism Workshop. I participated in the first cohort last month and admittedly, I did not want to.

For your professional ethics edification in March

Mar 4, 2021

Once a month the ACPE Professional Ethics Commission (PEC) posts a couple of statements from our Code of Professional Ethics for ACPE Members.

What is the potential of joining together?

Mar 1, 2021

Last week my state was in the news as we suffered in a winter weather event. You may be aware of the swath of frigid weather across the south and southeast. The “Polar Vortex” hit Dallas, TX on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. The temperatures dropped dramatically, and the precipitation changed from snow to sleet to ice.

Portfolio Review Process 2021

Feb 26, 2021

Greetings from the Accreditation Commission! I hope that all is well with you, your programs, and your students. I am excited to share information with you about portfolio reviews and our deep dive this year. The portfolio review process will begin in July 2021 and will conclude by the end of October.

Key Theme #1 from the Anti-Bias Survey of ACPE Members

Feb 23, 2021

In preparation for the 2021 ACPE Annual Conference Creating Room to Breathe, ACPE has identified themes from the Anti-Bias survey of ACPE members. In the following weeks, ACPE will be publishing the themes that emerged from the Anti-Bias survey results.

ACPE Trains Second Cohort of SIP Trainers

Feb 22, 2021

ACPE welcomed and trained 16 new Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) Trainers over the weekend. This second cohort of SIP Trainers spent Friday and Saturday getting oriented to the SIP Program, the 30-hour SIP curriculum, and other details of this new ACPE initiative.

Your Gift Keeps on Giving: Innovation in CPE and Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy

Feb 22, 2021

Thanks to our generous donors, the Foundation for ACPE was able to award $36,000 in funds to four projects that support innovation in CPE and spiritually integrated psychotherapy.

For your professional ethics edification in February

Feb 17, 2021

Once a month the ACPE Professional Ethics Commission (PEC) posts a couple of statements from our Code of Professional Ethics for ACPE Members.