Course date: November 23, 2024 – April 12, 2025
Clinical pastoral education (CPE) is education to teach pastoral care to clergy and others. CPE is the primary method of training hospital and hospice chaplains and spiritual care providers in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. CPE is both a multicultural and interfaith experience that uses real-life ministry encounters of students to improve the ministry and pastoral care provided by caregivers.
The purpose of CPE is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the trainees and accordingly to meet with their needs rather than following a set class curriculum. Having said that, the curriculum will still cover the themes of human communication, human development, crisis counseling, and theological reflection.
The main purpose of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is to provide an environment with a climate that makes possible both change and growth for a student. This is to be understood in terms of the student’s increasing awareness or consciousness of feelings and values, which help develop identity as a person, a spiritual leader, a member of the congregation, and a theologian. Becoming aware of one’s feelings provides possibility for change and growth. This occasions a more realistic understanding of oneself and the world in which we live.
CPE provides a process that assists change and growth through the development of human relationships. Your relationships with care recipients, site staff, peer groups, and your supervisor can evoke many feelings such as joy, forgiveness, encouragement, distress, anger, anxiety, etc. In this process of interaction with others, you discover much about yourself. You can become more aware of your contradictions and needs, your “hang-ups” and potentialities.
It is important that you work through these feelings for change and growth to occur. The intent is that as you are confronted by others, you come to understand yourself better, to “see” how you are the way you are, and to accept responsibility for yourself. Finally, you are more able to confront.
In dealing with the significance of your relationships, whether care recipients or student colleagues, you can become more acutely aware of others’ needs and can more adequately address yourself to those needs. This has great theological significance. When you perceive yourself differently, and more realistically, your whole worldview is changed, and you are called to a deeper and more significant theology and spirituality.
Your supervisor not only educates but provides spiritual care. The supervisor’s capacity to care, understand and share with you can help provide a climate of trust, which assists growth and maturity. Under CPE supervision, hopefully, you will experience the redemptive fellowship of community and become less encumbered, “laying aside every weight”, thus enabling you to care and relate redemptively to others.
Sankofa CPE Center, LLC’s Handbook.
Associate Professor Salih Yucel, A registered Clinical Pastoral Educator of ACPE
November 23, 2024 -
April 12, 2025
The weekly date and time will be decided after the interview. It will be based on the majority of the students' availability.
Lecturer: Associate Professor Salih Yucel, A registered Clinical Pastoral Educator of ACPE
Course Beginning Date: January 16, 2024 (TBD: orientation week only is up to 16 hours of class)
Course Time: Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00am – 3:00pm EST (Plus 1 hour of individual supervision; weekend substitutes negotiated as needed)
This unit will cover basic competencies and issues of pastoral reflection, formation, identity and functioning. At this level we will focus on pastoral identity formation and initial pastoral function. We will also review the background of CPT/E (Clinical Pastoral Education/Training) and present the process of action-reflection through preceptorial presentations, verbatims and engagement in group of interpersonal relationships dynamics (IPR).
Lecturer: Daniel Davila
Course Beginning Date: October 18, 2022
Course Day: Tuesday
Course Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (EST)
Course Schedule: Verbatim / Verbatim / IPR / Didactic presentation / Individual supervision / Weekly reading or video assignments counts / Learning and Teaching Presentation. That would equal up to 6 hours of didactics per week.
Important to meet on time and to be a participant: CPT (CPE/T) is a collaborative learning experience where participants learn with and from each other. Therefore, it is essential to be actively and attentively present.
Lecturer: Dr. Ron Cockroft
Course Beginning Date: March 21, 2022
Course Time: Monday 9.30 AM - 1.30 PM (EST)
Successful completion of the course will participation in the required 100 hours of didactic training in addition to 300 hours of Clinical involvement in your fulltime or part-time employment or voluntary work-to be described.
Clinical Pastoral Training (CPT) is a participative and dynamic clinical formation in pastoral care and counseling. Using both Didactic presentations and Clinical experiences, the program integrates concepts from theology, psychology, medicine and ethics.
CPT has as its main textbook “the living human documents,” – learning about oneself, learning about others, and then learning about how to embody divine presence and care to persons in various crises of life. Reflection on these experiences form the basis for individual and community growth.
The primary aim of CPT is to equip religious ministers who are committed to serve others through the ministry functions of sustaining, nourishing, guiding, reconciling, healing, and advocating.
The core areas of the Clinical Pastoral Training include: 1) Pastoral & Spiritual Assessment, 2) Theological Reflection, 3) Theories and Techniques of Pastoral Counseling, 4) Pastoral Care throughout the Lifespan, 5) Pastoral Intervention in Time of Crises, 6) Ethics and Bioethics in Pastoral Care, 7) Intercultural Pastoral Ministry, 8) Family & Couples Counseling, 9) Relational and Emotional Illnesses and 10) The Person of the Pastoral Caregiver. Typically, these ten areas are covered in four units/semesters of at least 16-20 weeks each.
Reviews of the history of chaplaincy, review life journey and life map, listening (always!), empathic listening responses, critical examinations of clinical experiences, theological reflection and spiritual diagnosis, and ministry in special settings of grief and loss, end of life ministry, and mental illness. These areas of study are on-going from beginning CPT and through-out Chaplain career.
Category A: Spiritual Formation and Integration
Spiritual formation as a spiritual care provider includes the awareness and integration of one’s narrative history, socio-cultural identity, and spiritual/values-based orienting systems. ACPE defines the word “spiritual” as inclusive of theistic and non-theistic/values-based orientations.
Category B: Awareness of Self and Others
The CPE process helps build awareness of self and others as a vehicle for greater spiritual care. Awareness includes learning about oneself and developing greater awareness of the experiences and values of others. Attending to Self-Care, addressing Justice-Seeking awareness of bias, and cultivating Intercultural and Interreligious Humility ensure dignity is afforded to oneself and others.
Category C: Relational Dynamics
Spiritual care and education require empathy and healthy relational boundaries grounded in warmheartedness for self and others. Empathy includes caring about and taking the perspective of others’ experiences, values, beliefs, and practices. Healthy relational boundaries include respect for differences in spirituality. Empathy and relational boundaries work in tandem to ensure helpful, rather than harmful, spiritual care.
Category D: Spiritual Care Interventions
Spiritual care providers inhabit a role that necessitates specialized knowledge and skills to address spiritual care needs. CPE guides students through the formational and experiential learning process and the interventions necessary to address spiritual distress. Spiritual care includes understanding one’s role and the power and authority embedded within it. Spiritual care interventions include developing spiritual care relationships; use of cultural, religious, and spiritual resources; use of spiritual assessments and care plans; and documentation.
Category E: Professional Development
Success in the formational and reflective process of CPE requires an engagement with one’s own learning process and what it means to be a professional in spiritual care. Professional Development in the CPE process includes engaging the Clinical Method of Learning (action – reflection – new action), abiding by Ethical Practice and Professionalism, growing through Consultation and Feedback, investing in Teamwork and Collaboration, and becoming Research literate.
These five ACPE Categories have corresponding ACPE Outcomes and Indicators on four levels:
They are determined based upon a student’s prior CPE unit by the instructor, and the group can have mixed levels. A student must satisfy 80% or above to successfully move onto the next level of CPE. The learning experience remains relational and experiential, so the student remains aware of their progress throughout the CPE unit. For more information, visit www.acpe.edu.
CPE is a relational, collaborative and experiential learning experience where we participate and learn with and from each other. Therefore, it is essential that we be actively present. If during the session our thoughts begin to wonder, let us refocus, concentrate and be mindful. Let’s be aware and mindful that we treat each other with dignity, respect and empathy. One’s investment will help yield a greater result.
Timeliness and Active Participation
Please make special effort to attend on time, and share as much of your presence during the sessions.
Week 1: Orientation (full day)
– Review of required activities, schedule, and unit overview.
– Introduction to the CPE handbook and enrollment in the unit.
– Introduction to group supervision.
– Introduction to theological reflection and Pastoral Encounter Review (PER).
– Overview of journaling.
– Brief on writing the autobiographical statement.
Week 2: Active and Reflective Listening (FOLER) Techniques: Listening with Eyes, Heart, and Mind (full day)
– Short videos and discussion.
– Autobiographical statements.
– PER 1 (case studies).
– Empathy, sympathy, antipathy: Which is most effective?
Week 3: Intercultural and Interreligious Spiritual Care / Islamic Chaplaincy / Prayer and Healing
– PER 1 (case studies).
– Autobiographical statements.
– Short video and discussion.
– Discussion on chaplaincy and pluralism in Muslim society: What works and what doesn’t?
– Supplications, prayers, and dhikr for Muslim patients’ spiritual needs.
Week 4: Pastoral Care in Grief and Loss
– Discussion on the concept of death, illness, and spiritual care (Video: *God! Why Me?).
– End-of-life issues and breaking the news.
– PER 1 (case studies).
– Autobiographical statements.
Week 5: Key Principles of Clinical Pastoral Education
– Autobiographical statements.
– PER 1 (case studies).
– Short video and discussion.
Week 6: The Art of Pastoral Visiting: Gerard Egan’s Helping Skills
– Autobiographical statements.
– PER 2 (case studies).
– Short videos and discussion.
– Guest speaker: A hospital chaplain discusses hospital chaplaincy.
Week 7: BESTAR Model in Pastoral Care (Building Trust, Empowering, Spirituality, Talk Less Listen More, Assistance, Reasonable)
– Introduction to school chaplaincy (Guest Speaker).
– PER 2 (case studies).
– Short video and discussion.
Week 8: Strategies for Patient Visits: Palliative and Ordinary
– Pair exercise: Reflecting on a personal or close hospital experience and identifying the spiritual comfort and hope needed at that time.
– PER 2 (case studies).
– Guest speaker on trauma.
Week 9: Pastoral Ministry with the Elderly: Mental Changes and Loss Associated with Aging
– Short videos and discussion.
– Elderly spiritual care in Islam.
– PER 2 (case studies).
Week 10: Midterm Evaluation Presentations
Week 11: Midterm Evaluation Presentations
Week 12: Providing Emotional and Spiritual Care for Youth
– PER 3 (case studies).
– Didactic presentations.
– Guest speaker: A youth worker discusses youth issues.
Week 13: Self-Care and Emotional Stability
– PER 3 (case studies).
– Guest speaker on Islamic art and healing.
– Didactic presentations.
Week 14: Five Senses and Well-being (Ibn Sina’s Theory) and Brain Wellness
– PER 3 (case studies).
– Guest speaker on single therapy.
– Didactic presentations.
Week 15: Introduction to Jail Chaplaincy: Emotional and Spiritual Care in Correctional Settings
– PER 4 (case studies).
– Guest speaker: A jail chaplain discusses jail chaplaincy.
– Didactic presentations.
Week 16: Disaster Chaplaincy in Domestic and International Crises / Self-Care and Resilience
– Video and discussion on empathy.
– PER 4 (case studies).
– Didactic presentations.
Week 17: An Islamic Approach to Mental Illness (FERHA): Combining Ibn Sina and Said Nursi Theories
– PER 4 (case studies).
– Didactic presentations.
– Guest speaker: Providing emotional and spiritual care for people with disabilities.
Week 18: Final Evaluation Presentations (full day) and Certificate Ceremony**
Tentative Schedule of Monday Seminar topics – (If any need to may be rescheduled due to Religious/other holidays, or other needs, etc)
1 What is Chaplaincy and CPE and T – foundational principles
2 Listening: Principles and practice – intro to verbatim tools
3 Understanding Self as most important tool you have; Life map/ spiritual journey, personality
4 Listening – HURIER and Validation
5 Listening – Validation and Listener Responses
6 Understanding Others – Human Natures
7 Intro to Theological Reflection and spiritual assessment
8 (CPE Midterm self evaluations) Intro to Trauma
9 Grief and Suicide
10 Intro to hospital ministry (etc)
11 Pastoral Interventions
12 (cont) Pastoral Interventions
13 Mental Illness
14 Caring for Self, Self Assertiveness
15 CPE/T- final self evals
16 CPE/T- final self evals
In the Didactic portions of the day, we will be doing readings from the books, presenting material from the books and then addressing/analyzing Ministry accounts and case studies in the books and real life. Individual/team supervision will be required!
Each Trainee will present to the class and conduct class discussion as instructor, on an assigned chapter (or chapters) from the readings.
Total of 4 ministry records are required for completion:
The purpose of the records of ministry experience (case studies/verbatims) is to learn then to utilize what you learned from the last experience to improve your interactions.
1- Each Trainee will write and present 2 records of ministry experience prior to a Mid-term self evaluation,
2- Each Trainee will write and present 2 records of ministry experience prior to a Final-term self evaluation.
Requirements: If the trainee does not have the following assignments written prior to beginning class they are not permitted to join.
1- Completed Application with full address, email, phone number
2- Bio of 3-5 page including Spiritual Journey- major events of your life (IF they have written Bio before, they must Re-Write it to include what they have gained since) Include your family of origin and your relationship with each one-what did you gain from each one, how are you alike with each one and how are you different- What is the religious background (or lack) and when and how have you experienced God.
3- Full statement of Goals for the Unit in These areas: A) What do I want to learn about myself this unit, B) What do I want to learn about my theory of Spiritual Care, and C) What do I want to learn about my particular functioning in Spiritual Care?
🡪 Address this for each Goal: What are my Goals, How will I gain them, How will I know when I have gained them.
4 books will be required reading and discussion– All of these can be found on Amazon- some of them are also E-books.
People Skills by Robert Bolton(any edition); What Do I Say by Elizabeth Johnston Taylor; I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen, 9 Clinical Cases by Raymond Lawrence
Clinical Pastoral Training (CPT) is a participative and dynamic clinical formation in pastoral care and counseling. Using both Didactic presentations and Clinical experiences, the program integrates concepts from theology, psychology, medicine and ethics.CPT has as its main textbook “the living human documents,” – learning about oneself and others, and then learning how to embody divine presence and care to persons in various crises of life. Reflection on these experiences form the basis for individual and community growth.
The primary aim of CPT is to equip religious ministers who are committed to serve others through the ministry functions of sustaining, nourishing, guiding, reconciling, healing, and advocating.
In the Didactic portions of the day, we will be doing readings from the books, presenting material from the books and then addressing/analyzing Ministry accounts and case studies in the books and real life. Individual/team supervision will be required!
Each Trainee will present to the class and conduct class discussion as instructor, on an assigned chapter (or chapters) from the readings.
Total of 4 ministry records are required for completion:
The purpose of the records of ministry experience (case studies/verbatims) is to learn then to utilize what you learned from the last experience to improve your interactions.
1- Each Trainee will write and present 2 records of ministry experience prior to a Mid-term self evaluation,
2- Each Trainee will write and present 2 records of ministry experience prior to a Final-term self evaluation.
Requirements: If the trainee does not have the following assignments written prior to beginning class they are not permitted to join.
1- Completed Application with full address, email, phone number
2- Bio of 3-5 page including Spiritual Journey- major events of your life (IF they have written Bio before, they must Re-Write it to include what they have gained since) Include your family of origin and your relationship with each one-what did you gain from each one, how are you alike with each one and how are you different- What is the religious background (or lack) and when and how have you experienced God.
3- Full statement of Goals for the Unit in These areas: A) What do I want to learn about myself this unit, B) What do I want to learn about my theory of Spiritual Care, and C) What do I want to learn about my particular functioning in Spiritual Care?
🡪 Address this for each Goal: What are my Goals, How will I gain them, How will I know when I have gained them.
4 books will be required reading and discussion– All of these can be found on Amazon- some of them are also E-books.
People Skills by Robert Bolton(any edition); What Do I Say by Elizabeth Johnston Taylor; I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen, 9 Clinical Cases by Raymond Lawrence
Clinical Pastoral Training (CPT) is a participative and dynamic clinical formation in pastoral care and counseling. Using both Didactic presentations and Clinical experiences, the program integrates concepts from theology, psychology, medicine and ethics.CPT has as its main textbook “the living human documents,” – learning about oneself and others, and then learning how to embody divine presence and care to persons in various crises of life. Reflection on these experiences form the basis for individual and community growth.
The primary aim of CPT is to equip religious ministers who are committed to serve others through the ministry functions of sustaining, nourishing, guiding, reconciling, healing, and advocating.
In this course, there is a limited quota.
Note: Respect GS is dedicated to educate Muslim chaplains. For this purpose, each student will get instant scholarship of $1000 in case one of the following conditions are provided:
You may make the payment in instalments with a credit card.
Do you have a question? Contact us: [email protected]
Associate Professor Salih Yucel earned a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Theology from the University of Ankara and a Master’s degree in Theology from the University of Sydney. His doctoral research at Boston University focused on “The Effects of Prayer on Muslim Patients’ Well-being.” From 2008 to 2014, he worked as a lecturer at the Centre for Religious Studies at Monash University. He also served as a lecturer at the Australian Catholic University from 2017 to 2023. He teaches at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University.
Salih has over 35 years of experience in pastoral care in both the US and Australia, including seven years of chaplaincy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, both affiliated with Harvard Medical School. Dr. Yucel is a registered Clinical Pastoral Educator with the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) in the US and a member of the Australian New Zealand Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ANZACPE). He is the author of five books, co-author of one book, and has contributed to numerous articles and book chapters.
If you need advice on our program or registration, please feel welcome to contact us.
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