Clinical Pastoral Education

Course date: May 29, 2023 – September 11, 2023

Course Description

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. 

Benefits of Course

CPE/T is recognizing oneself, recognizing friends and being aware of contact with God. To learn patient visit techniques with all these awareness, qualified presence, asking open-ended questions, active listening, summarizing, paraphrasing, repeating. It provides formative experience through learning pastoral practice in a clinical setting under supervision.

Another benefit of CPE/T is to the person in training by growth in self-awareness, emerging from psychodynamically informed reflection on one’s encounters in the clinical setting, in the training group among one’s peers, and in one-on-one supervision. The patients or clients and institutions served by the pastoral clinician in training benefit from their acquired ability to engage with people — by listening deeply and making connections — in a spirit of cooperative inquiry that is person-centered, intersubjective, and inductive.

While not intended as therapy, the CPT experience frequently has a therapeutic effect on the person in training and their relationships, particularly in the early stages of training.

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Information About the Units

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.”

Beginning (Dr. Ron Cockroft )

Lecturer: Dr. Ron Cockroft

Course Beginning Date: May 29, 2023

Course Time:

Monday 7.00 PM - 8.30 PM (EST)

Wednesday 7.00 PM - 10.00 PM (EST)

Advanced (Dr. Ron Cockroft )

Lecturer: Dr. Ron Cockroft

Course Beginning Date: May 29, 2023

Course Time:

Monday 7.00 PM - 8.30 PM (EST)

Tuesday 10.00 AM - 1.00 PM (EST)

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.

Academic Curriculum

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Enroll Now

You may make the payment in instalments with a credit card.

Clinical Pastoral Education Program

$250

Per month

Total: $750

Do you have a question? Contact us: info@respectgs.us

About
Instructors

Dr. Ron Cockroft

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

Ron also served and retired as a U.S. 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; an MA in Linguistics from the University of Texas Arlington, and an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Texas A&M University. 

Ron is a member of the Alamo Chapter of CPSP, and is currently president of the board of non-profit Focus Girls 4 Education Runner’s Pal. Chaplain Ron is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor.

Chaplain Daniel Dávila

Chaplain Daniel Dávila is the former Director of Spiritual Care at Austin State Hospital and supervisor/trainer of chaplain interns at Austin State Hospital. Chaplain Dávila is Board Certified Clinical Chaplain and Diplomate with CPSP (College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy). Chaplain Dávila also serves on the ASH Spanish Language Interpreter Program. Chaplain Dávila is ordained and endorsed by the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.

Chaplain Dávila received his BA at Evangel University, M.Div. at Philipps University Graduate Seminary, MAR at the Iliff School of Theology and he also did graduate work at St. Thomas Catholic Seminary in Denver and Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. His clinical pastoral education was done in Tulsa Hillcrest Medical Center, Corpus Christi Memorial Medical Center and Driscoll Children’s Hospital. 

Chaplain Dávila has taught pastoral care and counseling in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America. He has served as President in the Weslaco Ministerial Alliances and in the Austin Latin Ministerial Alliance.

Contact Us

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