Respect Graduate School

Clinical Pastoral Education with Dr. Ron Cockroft

Course date: January 19 – June 24, 2026.

This course is offered to all students interested in pursuing Clinical Pastoral Education/Training Units. The overall focus will be on deepening skills in a pastoral setting and strengthening theological, personal, and professional authority in using their voice.

Brief Information

CPE Supervisor/Instructor
Dr. Ron Cockroft

Assistant
Chaplain Rachel Ciupek-Reed

Coordinator

Chaplain Onur Ben Kaya

Student Teachers

Semra Yavuz & Ilkay Dalkir

Unit Date
January 19 - June 24, 2026.

Course Time
Mondays 6.00 PM - 8:30 PM (EST)
Wednesdays 6.00 PM - 9:30 PM (EST)

Individual Supervision Time: One Hour per Week, to be arranged.

IPR Group: Students will also be expected to participate in a weekly IPR (Interpersonal Relationships) Group. The meeting day and time will be determined by the students at the beginning of the unit.

Lecturer

Chaplain
Dr. Ron Cockroft

Course Date

August 4 - November 26, 2025.

Course Time

Mondays 6.00 PM - 8:30 PM (EST)

Course Time

Wednesdays 6.00 PM - 9:30 PM (EST)

Kayıt Ol
Attendance and Participation: Attend all sessions on time, as this promotes participative learning. Group didactics and supervision occur one day per week, with an additional one-hour weekly individual supervision.

Community Placement: Having a community placement is essential for completing clinical hours and preparing case presentations for group reflection. Examples include prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, cultural centers, or tele-chaplaincy.

Clinical Reflection: The clinical hours accumulated will be used in group sessions to reflect on pastoral care and counseling experiences essential for professional growth.

Course Overview and Core Objectives

Speaking and Listening in CPE/T Settings is offered to all students interested in pursuing Clinical Pastoral Education/Training Units. Our class time will be structured as a Monday evening learning and lecture time followed with a Wednesday evening conversation and sharing time. This allows for the students to fully engage in both passive and active training.

A Participative Learning Approach: Clinical Pastoral Education/Training (CPE/T) is a participative learning approach that integrates into the pastoral/spiritual practice knowledge of theology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, ethics, and medicine.

Class Textbooks: The primary textbooks will be: Interfaith Ministry Handbook: Prayers, Readings and Other Resources for Pastoral Settings, by Matt Sanders. Cave Walker: A Psychodynamic Approach to Pastoral Care, by Francine L. Hernandez. Musings of a Muslim Chaplain by Sondos Kholaki. Mantle of Mercy: Islamic Chaplaincy in North America (Vol 1) , by Muhammad A. Ali (Editor). People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, and Resolve Conflicts by Robert Bolton, PhD.

Learn While Providing Care: In our program, we see the person as an integrated and indivisible whole. Therefore, we encourage our CPE/T participants to learn while providing pastoral/spiritual care and counseling to the whole person.

Theological Focus: We are first and last theological as spiritual/pastoral counselors and caregivers. We affirm the spiritual dimension as the center of our existence, and it serves as the anchor that unifies the psychological and sociological aspects of the person.

Academic and Clinical Requirements

Didactics: By the end of the unit, it is expected that you will have completed 100 hours of didactics. You are required to attend and be punctual at all sessions, as it supports and promotes participative learning. Watching assigned videos is also part of this requirement.
     + Sessions: CPE/T participants gather through Zoom as a group one day per week for didactics and group supervision and one hour per week for individual supervision, totaling 100 hours per unit.

Clinical Hours: By the end of the unit, you are expected to have completed 250 hours of pastoral care or counseling service to individuals or groups.
     + Community Placement: The trainee is expected to have a place in the community to perform pastoral/spiritual care. Some trainees have volunteered their services in prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, cultural centers, and some have done tele-chaplaincy in the United States and in other parts of the world. Having a place to provide pastoral/spiritual care is essential because your pastoral care and counseling case presentations will be used for reflection during group gatherings. Each unit requires 250 clinical hours.
     + Confidentiality: Practice confidentiality by finding a sacred, private space at your home or office where you can be alone, ensuring that no one else can hear or watch you. This helps to provide a safe environment where participants can freely share cases and self-assessments.

Logistics: The program includes 100 hours of didactics and 250 clinical hours. More information about this is found in the Requirements section.

Assignments and Written Tasks

Assignments Formatting: Submit your assignments as attachments in Google Classroom. Use single spacing with space between each paragraph, one-inch margins on both left and right sides, and a 12-point font (either Times New Roman or Arial). Your name and date should be at the top of the assignment, and your name should always be included in the name of the assignment when saving.

Self-Awareness (An Autobiography): Write a short autobiography of no more than five pages. The autobiography should be written as if you are describing your life including professional, personal, spiritual, and emotional events or milestones.

Clinical Reports: Write two reports (verbatim, case) of your pastoral care or counseling work, including your intellectual, social, spiritual, and physical reflections. This approach helps us practice the cycle: Action -> Reflection -> Improved Action. The guidelines for writing these reports will be provided in class sessions.

Bi-Weekly Reflection: Write and submit a bi-weekly reflection (1-2 pages) via email to be shared in IPR (Interpersonal Relations). Each reflection should:
+ Name the issue/topic that is your spiritual/pastoral concern.
+ Identify why it is important to you.
+ Describe your feelings about the issue.
+ Explain the topical or theological theme and its relevancy.

Theological Reflection: 3-4 Page written reflection that could include topics such as: your relationship with your religion, your religious experience, your religious practice, how prayer impacts your personal faith, your understanding of Allah and how Allah and faith in Allah makes a difference in the world.

Learning Goals: Write three learning goals for this unit. Guidelines for writing these learning goals will be given in class. These goals play a crucial role in your self-growth and self-evaluation.

No Exams: There will be no exams in this course. Instead, trainees will write two papers:
Midterm Self-Evaluation and
A Final Self-Evaluation. The guidelines for writing these evaluations will be provided during class sessions.

Other Assignments To Be Determined: Upon occasion there will be other assignments which are given based on the evolving conversations and learning in class.

Communication and Participation Logistics

Attendance and Participation: Attend all sessions on time, as this promotes participative learning. Group didactics and supervision occur one day per week, with an additional one-hour weekly individual supervision.

Community Placement: Having a community placement is essential for completing clinical hours and preparing case presentations for group reflection. Examples include prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, cultural centers, or tele-chaplaincy.

Clinical Reflection: The clinical hours accumulated will be used in group sessions to reflect on pastoral care and counseling experiences essential for professional growth.

Course Overview

This CPE unit consists of 400 hours including 100 hours of didactics, small group and individual supervision and 300 hundred hours of experiential learning in a medical center or community center over 15 weeks:

  • Didactic Component (40 hours): 2 hours per week of instruction, discussion, and question-and-answer sessions
  • Clinical Component (60 hours): 3 hours per week including:
    • Verbatim presentations and analysis
    • Autobiographical reflection
    • Theoretical integration
    • Critical incident analysis
    • Group process and feedback
    • Individual supervision

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Integrate Islamic Theological Foundations with Clinical Practice
  2. Demonstrate Professional Chaplaincy Competencies  
  3. Develop Clinical Skills for Diverse Healthcare and Community Settings
  4. Cultivate Personal and Professional Formation
  1. Gülen, Fethullah. Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism: Emerald Hills of the Heart. Vol 1, English Translation. Somerset, NJ: Tughra Books, 2009.
  2. Course Reader (provided): Selected articles and case studies professional chaplaincy and CPE.
  3. Hernandez, Francine. Cave walker: A Psychodynamic Approach to Pastoral Care. Amazon.com Services LLC, 2025.
  4. Lawrence, R. J. Recovery of soul: A history and memoir of the clinical pastoral movement. CPSP Press, 2017.

Overview of the Unit

The Community-Based Extended Unit is a comprehensive Clinical Pastoral Education program unit that includes Seminars in Spiritual Care. Students who do not wish to receive credit and supervisor evaluation but still wish to participate in this excellent educational opportunity can register for Seminars in Spiritual Care only.

CPE Supervisor/Instructor
Dr. Ron Cockroft

Assistant
Rachel Ciupek-Reed

Coordinator

Chaplain Onur Ben Kaya

Unit Date
August 4 - November 26, 2025.

Course Time
Mondays 6.00 PM - 8:30 PM (EST)
Wednesdays 6.00 PM - 9:30 PM (EST)

Individual Supervision Time: One Hour per Week, to be arranged.

CPE Supervisor/Instructor
Juan Loya, MDiv, MA, PhD

Clinical Supervisors in Training
Chaplain David Cerutti, Chaplain Phillip Stephens, Chaplain Yetkin Yildirim

Coordinator

Chaplain Onur Ben Kaya

Course Beginning Date: Group One: January 21 - June 17, 2025 Group Two: January 22 - June 18, 2025

Course Time: Group One on Tuesday 7.00 PM - 10:30 PM (EST) Group Two on Wednesday 10.00 AM - 1:30 PM (EST)

Individual Supervision Time: One Hour per Week, to be arranged.

Group Dynamics in Turkish & English: One Meeting per Week, to be arrange

Clinical Pastoral Education (Community Based Extended Unit)

Lecturer: Dr. Ron Cockroft

Assistant: Rachel Ciupek-Reed

Course Beginning Date: November 27, 2024

Course Time: Wednesday 6.00 - 9.30pm (EST)
+ Seminar Time: Monday 6.00 - 8.30pm (EST)

Individual Supervision Time: One Hour per Week, to be arranged.

Seminars in Spiritual Care*

Lecturer: Dr. Ron Cockroft & Guest lecturers

Seminar Beginning Date: November 25, 2024

Seminar Time: Monday 6.00 - 8.30pm (EST)

*Note: For students who do not want to receive credit and supervisor evaluation. Tuition Fee: $250

Daniel Davila (Advanced Unit)

Only open to trainees who have already had one or two units of CPE/T. Trainees are expected to meet 5 hours for per week for didactics (includes individual supervision) and to engage in pastoral care to fulfill 15 clinical hours per week. By the end of the unit the trainee will have 400 hours (100 of didactic hours and 300 of clinical hours).

(Registration is closed)

Daniel Davila (Advanced Unit)

Lecturer: Daniel Davila

Course Beginning Date: November 10, 2022

Course Day: Thursday

Course Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (EST)

Important to meet on time and to be a participant: CPE/T is a collaborative learning experience where participants learn with and from each other. Therefore, it is essential to be attentively present. It emphasizes “Action, Reflection and Improved Action.”

Dr. Ron Cockroft (Unit 1 for the Beginners)

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.

Dr. Ron Cockroft (Unit 1 for the Beginners)

Lecturer: Dr. Ron Cockroft

Course Beginning Date: May 15, 2023

Course Time: Wednesday 9.30 AM - 2.30 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.

Daniel Davila (Unit 1 for the Beginners)

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).

Daniel Davila (Unit 1 for the Beginners)

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.

Dr. Ron Cockroft (Advanced Unit)

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.

Dr. Ron Cockroft (Advanced Unit)

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.

Objectives: At the end of this unit the participant (trainee) will be able to:
1. Explain how Collaborative Learning seeks to holistically understand ourselves and others.
2. Get acquainted with the processes of IPR, Pastoral Action, Reflection (and Improved Pastoral Action during the writing and presentation of verbatims.
3. State their learning goals in three areas: personal need, function of ministry, and how they integrate their theology in their personal life and their function of pastoral care.
4. Write a verbatim and be able to describe the components of it, and explain the purpose of the verbatim.
5. Apply communication skills that include active listening, assertiveness, and using empathy and compassion in care-confrontation.
6. Articulate the meaning and function of ministry in the hospital setting and in death and dying situations.

IMPORTANT TO MEET ON TIME AND TO BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT
Thank you very much for enrolling in tis unit. You are very important because we all learn with and from each other. So please make a special effort to share as much of your presence during the sessions.

PARTICIPATIVE LEARNING:
CPE/T is a collaborative 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. Depending on how much we invest if how much we ill.

EXPECTATIONS 400 Hours (One Unit)
15 hours of clinical work per week (15×20=300 clinical hours per unit)
4 hours in weekly session and weekly 1 hour of personal research or individual supervision if needed between supervisor and trainee(5×20=100 didactic hours of per unit)

HUMAN BEING HERMENEUTICS:
1. We are the living human-document, mutually read and mutually interpreted.
a. When we engage someone else that person is interpreting us. by observing how we are paying attention to the way we listen.
b. It is a relational encounter that can be either a comfortable or an uncomfortable interpersonal interaction.
2. Because we care to grow ourselves and to grow each other, we need to be ready to give and receive constructive criticism.
a. We need to learn how to confront others with empathy and care.
b. Howard Clinebell said, “confrontation plus care equals growth.” In CPE/T under CPSP we call it “care-frontation”. (More on this will be learned along the way.)

ACTION, REFLECTION & IMPROVED ACTION:
1. CPE/T is not solely academic, even though it includes didactics, it is not instructor-centered. It is more person-centered.
2. It involves a progression of reciprocity between the trainee and the group, reciprocity between the group of supervisees and the supervisor, between the supervisee and the supervisor during individual supervision.
3. It involves action, reflection, and improved action.
4. It is a personal growth process in collaboration with each other during this unit. We learn with, through and from each other.

STRUCTURE OF THE DIDACTIC
1. Reading of CPSP Covenant and checking in
2. IPR, Interpersonal Relationships (Group Growth).
a. Practice trust, transparency and confidentiality.
b. Be open to intrapersonal and interpersonal growth.
3. Didactic relevant to the syllabus.
4. Reflection through presentation of a verbatim or more.
a. Trainees are expected to learn how to take notes immediately after a pastoral caregiving event,
b. and use these notes to write the verbatim with personal reflection.
c. State what they want to learn by making this presentation.

WHAT IS CPE/T
1. Week, TOPIC: Introduction to CPSP & CPE/T -structure
2. Week, TOPIC: The Verbatim as Reflection of the Pastoral Caregiving Event
3. Week, TOPIC: Continuation of the Verbatim and Questions and Answers.
Verbatim is due next week. Be ready to present.
4. Week, TOPIC: Exploring and Writing Our Three Goals: Personal Goals, Role and Function, Theological Understanding (How is God calling me to be personally and to do this particular ministry).. Learning Goals are due next week.
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM
5. Week, TOPIC: Presentation of Learning Goals.
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & LEARNING GOALS.
SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND MYSELF (Who am I?) & OTHERS (Who are they?)
6. Week, TOPIC: Self-Assessment – 5 Love Languages quiz
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM
7. Week, TOPIC: Self-Assessment, – Life Maps
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LOVE LANGUAGE
8. Week, TOPIC: Self-Assessment, – Genogram (Assessment and Intervention) by Monica McGoldrick, Randy Gerson & Sueli Petry
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & LIFE MAPS
11/21/23 NO MEETING DURING THIS TIME
9. Week, TOPIC: Writing a Self-Evaluation
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & GENOGRAM
10. Week, ACTIVITY: PRESENTATION OF MID-TERM EVALUATION
11. Week, ACTIVITY: PRESENTATION OF MID-TERM EVALUATION
NO MEETING DURING THIS TIME
12. Week, TOPIC: Self-Assessment, – Character and Temperament Types (Myers-Briggs)
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & YOUR GENOGRAM
13. Week, TOPIC: Self-Assessment, – Your Pastoral Care Mission, Vision and Values
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & ONE PARAGRAPH ON YOUR FOUR TEMPERAMENTS
UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE THROUGH DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES
14. Week, TOPIC: Introduction to Personal Developmental Theories
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & YOUR MISSION, VISION & VALUES
15. Week, TOPIC: Psycho-Social Stages and Theological Themes by Donald Capps
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & ONE PARAGRAPH ON HOW THE
DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES HELP YOU UNDERSTAND OTHERS.
SPIRITUAL CARE IN OTHER SITUATIONS
16, Week, TOPIC: Hospital Ministry
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & ONE PARAGRAPH ON WHERE YOU ARE ON THE PSYCHOSOCIAL STATE AND ITS CORRELATING THEOLOGICAL THEME
17. Week, TOPIC: Pastoral Care in Death & Dying Situations
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & ONE PARAGRAPH ON WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF HOSPITAL MINISTRY
18. Week, TOPIC: Open Agenda, Questions and Answers
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & ONE PARAGRAPH ON WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND PASTORAL CARE IN DEATH & DYING SITUATIONS
19.Week, PRESENTATION OF FINAL EVALUATION
20. Week, PRESENTATION OF FINAL EVALUATION
21. Week, Spiritual Care Ministry in Death & Dying Situations
22 Week, FINAL EVALUATION

Advanced Community Based Clinical Pastoral Education/Training Unit

About this unit
This unit is designed preferably for persons who have participated in a CPE/T unit and who want to expand and grow their competent, empathetic and compassionate pastoral/spiritual caregiving skills. Prospects who have participated in a group-learning may talk with the supervisor to explore the possibility of joining this group.
Please learn more by reading the learning objectives for this unit.

Objectives: At the end of this unit the participants (trainees) will be able to:
1. Share and express clearly and directly their personal identity and their identity as pastoral caregivers by Identifying and naming their growing edge; and write at least two learning goals that will help them grow in these particular areas.
2. Articulate and demonstrate an understanding of Basic Communication Skills (overcoming blocks to self disclosure and becoming competent in their general expression) and areas that cover communication skills in diverse situations as conflict, social, family and public.settings.
3. Present at least two psychosocial modalities that have been useful in their pastoral care.
4. Explain how cognitive behavioral theories can be integrated in pastoral care to empower and guide care receivers who are experiencing negative emotional-spiritual issues like depression, anxiety, anger and stress..
5. Write a brief report of a care receiver’s spiritual/theological/psychosocial concerns as observed in the pastoral care event.

1. Week TOPIC: Introduction of participants and expectations for this unit.
ACTIVITY: We will introduce ourselves, share our expectations and our learning goals
Assignment for next week
– Read: Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, Patrick Fanning, Messages, The Communication Skills Book, pages 5-34
– Bring a verbatim (it can be an old one, a new one, or even a draft)
2. Week TOPIC: Improving our listening skills and self-disclosure
ACTIVITY: PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & SELF DISCLOSURE TO BE SHARED IN IPR.
Assignment for next week
– Read: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey (You can read a summary of it or watch a YouTube on it.)
– Write a one paragraph for each habit (7 habits) to present in IPR
– Bring a verbatim
3. Week TOPIC: Character and Communication
According to Covey in “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen Covey
ACTIVITY: PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & ONE PARAGRAPH TO SHARE IN IPR FOR EACH HABIT.
Assignment for next week
– Read: Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy by Gerald Corey, pp, 6-9, Read the tables in pages 432-450
– Write a paragraph on one or two modalities that appeal to you, or that you have used.
– Bring a verbatim
4. Week TOPIC: An Overview of “Contemporary Counseling Models
Psychodynamic, Experiential & Relational, Cognitive Behavioral, and Systems & Postmodern Approaches”
ACTIVITY: PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & READ YOUR ONE OR MORE PARAGRAPHS ON THE MODALITY OR MODALITIES THAT APPEALS TO YOU OR THAT YOU HAVE USED, AND BE READY TO TO SHARE IN IPR.
Assignment for next week
– Read: Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy by Gerald Corey, pp, 6-9, Read the tables in pages 432-450
https://viktorfranklamerica.com/what-is-logotherapy/
– Write a paragraph on one or two modalities that appeal to you, or that you have used.
– Bring a verbatim
5. Week TOPIC: Continuation of “An Overview of Contemporary Counseling Models: Psychodynamic, Experiential & Relational, Cognitive Behavioral, and Systems & Postmodern Approaches”
ACTIVITY: PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM &
READ YOUR ONE OR MORE PARAGRAPHS ON THE MODALITY OR MODALITIES THAT APPEALS TO YOU OR THAT YOU HAVE USED, AND BE READY TO TO SHARE IN IPR.
Assignment for next week
– Read: Messages, pp, 35-55
– Write a paragraph on cognition, behavior and affective on how they help in communication.
– Bring a verbatim
6. Week TOPIC: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT & Messages (Expressing Observations, Thoughts, Feelings and Needs )
ACTIVITY: PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & THREE PARAGRAPHS: ONE ON COGNITION, ONE ON BEHAVIOR AND ONE ON AFFECTIVE TO SHARE IN IPR.
Assignment for next week
– Read: Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy by Gerald Corey, pp, 269-310,
– Voluntary Research and voluntary reading about CBT according to Aaron T. Beck and REBT according to Albert Ellis
https://youtu.be/HOi48z4g45Q?si=rkNsoorkO3Z2303T
https://youtu.be/xYauAv4Gd68?si=jZ-IeizhPRrSfHIh
https://youtu.be/nfdHkaGq35k?si=-mOZHuRlpqi5ksZY
– Write three paragraphs: one describing Ellis’s REBT, a second paragraph describing Beck’s CBT, and a third one describing their similarities.
– Bring a verbatim
7. Week TOPIC: Rational Emotional Behavioral Therapy & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
ACTIVITY: PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & PARAGRAPHS ON ELLIS AND BECK TO SHARE IN IPR
Assignment for next week
– Recommended research and reading about Stoic Philosophy (Epitectus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius)
Marcus-Aurelius-Meditations.pdf
https://youtu.be/nINeieUSTPc?si=4MPDqv_UVKEPeC9Y
https://youtu.be/4eUqjvt1Ye0?si=_Wh7IpbJ7zQI9Rzn
– Write one paragraph on how REBT and CBT resonate with Stoic philosophy.
8. Week TOPIC: Stoic Philosophy as a Foundation for REBT and CBT
ACTIVITY: PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & PARAGRAPH ON HOW REBT AND CBT RESONATE WITH STOICISM TO HARE IN IPR
Assignment for next week
– Read on anxiety by Albert Ellis, How to Control Your Anxiety, Before It Controls You, pp. 1-31
-Watch https://youtube.com/shorts/9wjiOFgYVJs?si=kHtnZzx-7UjWxVmc
– Write (a) one paragraph on the difference between healthy negative feelings (hnf) and unhealthy negative feelings (unf), (b) second paragraph naming the feelings for each one, for example disappointment for healthy, and (c) a third one explaining the difference between concern and unhealthy anxiety.
Watch https://youtu.be/eqrZ8ph6_SM?si=iiwaP_lBpigWqj1A
NO MEETING (This could be a good time to invest in writing your mid-term self-evaluation.)
9. Week TOPIC: Controlling Our Anxiety Through REBT
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM.
Assignment for next year, January 3
– Read Clarifying 0ur Language in Messages, pp. 104-122
https://youtu.be/aAVGyRMS3gE?si=x2Ye52SDck1ALm9U
https://youtu.be/5zuv4DD0BO4?si=S-Sd5eONCBcJE0YO
10. Week Mid-Term Self Evaluation
11. Week Mid-Term Self Evaluation
12. Week TOPIC: Communication and World Models
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM PRACTICE ON “STATEMENTS” AND FOLLOW UP “QUESTIONS”.
Assignment for next week
– Watch Emma McDaniel on Cognitive Distortions
– Read Asron Beck and/or David Burns list of Cognitive Distortions
13. Week TOPIC: Identifying Cognitive Distortions
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM & A ONE PARAGRAPH ON WHICH DISTORTION(S) HAVE PLAYED IN YOUR WORLD MODELS.
Assignment for next week
– Read the Case of Stan, Corey, pp.9-12,
– Read CBT Applied to the Case of Stan, pp. 300-301
14. Week TOPIC: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Applied to the Case of Stan
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM
Assignment for next week
– Read the Case of Gwen, Corey, pp.13-15,
– Read CBT Applied to the Case of Gwen, pp. 302-303
15. Week TOPIC: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Applied to the Case of Gwen
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM
Assignment for next week:
Watch https://youtu.be/XRJHy49NiWI?si=JeeHlXzmY9ZB4OKB
16. Week TOPIC: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Religion and Depression
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM
Assignment for next week
– Read: Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, Patrick Fanning, Messages, The Communication Skills Book, pages 123-172
17. Week TOPIC: Conflict Skills: Assertiveness, Fair Fighting and Validarion
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM
Assignment for next week
– Read: Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, Patrick Fanning, Messages, The Communication Skills Book, pages 224-245
– Write a responsive paper on which system resonates with you, see pages 232-237
18. Week TOPIC: Schemas in Communication and CBT
ACTIVITY: IPR, PRESENTATION OF VERBATIM
19. Week Final Self Evaluation
20. Week Final Self Evaluation

Topics forthcoming: Orientation to Spiritual Care- history, roles, approach, Listening skills, etc., Understanding self, Understanding others, understanding representing Allah to others we serve, interpersonal relationship skills, many more.

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.

Enroll Now

Ready to join? Clicking the ‘Enroll Now’ button will take you to our secure enrollment form on a trusted external platform. Please fill out the form to complete your registration for the course.

To participate in either the Clinical Pastoral Education (Community-Based Extended Unit) or the Seminars in Spiritual Care, you can fill out the same enrollment form. In the payment section, select the program you wish to enroll in.

Clinical Pastoral Education Program

$250

Per month

4 installments totaling 1000 USD

Do you have a question? Contact us: [email protected]

About the
Instructor

Dr. Ron Cockroft

Dr. Ron Cockroft is a diplomate in Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Education/Training with CPSP. He is also the retired Chaplain Director and Director of Spiritual Care at Austin State Hospital.  Additionally, he has worked at Austin State Hospital since January, 2002. Chaplain Ron has served hospitals in Bryan, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and Lubbock, Texas, before coming to Austin.

He also served as a United States Army and Army National Guard chaplain for more than 25 years.

Chaplain Ron obtained his Master of Divinity from the Golden Gate Baptist Seminary in Mill Valley, CA; and also holds an MA in Linguistics from the University of Texas Arlington; and an MS and PhD in Psychology from Texas A&M University. 

He is a member of the Alamo Chapter of CPSP, and is currently president of the board of the non-profit Focus Girls 4 Education Runners Pal.  Also, Chaplain Ron is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor.

Contact Us

If you need advice on our program or registration, please feel welcome to contact us.