Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a program of education and formation for the work of pastoral care. The program’s methodology utilises the action/reflection model of learning. The action component entails the actual provision of pastoral care within a pastoral setting. This care acknowledges and attends to the human condition, particularly life’s religious and spiritual dimensions. The reflection component entails the exploration of the ministry experience, the dynamics present, and the theological and spiritual dimensions. This action/reflection process is integral to the participants’ understanding and the formation of their pastoral identity and competence. CPE is “learning theology from the living human document” (Anton Boisen). The goal of the program is that the participant will be acknowledged first hand as the bearer of the sacred and the distinctive provider of spiritual and pastoral care.
Unit code: CP9100Z
Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)
Points: 48.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Elective
Unit discipline: Clinical Pastoral Education
Delivery Mode: Face to Face
Proposing College: School of Professional Practice - Clinical Pastoral Education
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Develop goals for their learning which identify their learning edges for the Unit |
| 2. | Begin, develop and conclude pastoral interactions with people with varied experiences |
| 3. | Identify and respond to a person's spiritual needs and resources in ways that contribute to a person's wellbeing |
| 4. | Demonstrate a basic capacity to engage with inter-disciplinary staff |
| 5. | Engage in reflection on their experience of spiritual care in writing, with a group of peers and with their supervisor, as they work towards their goals and objectives |
| 6. | Reflect upon their encounters and pastoral experience within a spiritual/theological framework |
| 7. | Articulate how the insights gained from theological/spiritual reflection on the pastoral experiences can be incorporated into future pastoral practice |
| 8. | Demonstrate a growing awareness of their identity as a spiritual carer |
Pre requisite in Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs: demonstrated pastoral competence; AND a successful interview with the CPE Centre Director or delegate.
Peer group review of presentations of spiritual care and other materials Individual supervision Group didactic sessions
The essential resource is "the living human document” (Anton Boisen). The following is a guide to some useful resources.
RECOMMENDED READING (Note that only a selection of these items will be available at most CPE centres):
Cobb, Mark, & Christina M. Puchalski, Bruce Rumbold. Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare. Oxford University Press, 2012.
Dykstra, Robert C. (ed,) Images of Pastoral Care. St Louis: Chalice Press, 2005.
Egan, Gerard. The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping. Brooks/Cole, 2010.
Fitchett, George. Assessing Spiritual Needs. Academic Renewal Press, 2002.
Hillsman, Gordon. How to Get the Most Out of Clinical Pastoral Education: A CPE Primer. Siegelman, E. Y. 1990.
Kelly, Ewan. Personhood and Presence: Self as a Resource for Spiritual and Pastoral Care. T & T Clark, 2012.
Kinast, Robert L. "What are they saying about Theological Reflection?" Paulist Press, 2000.
Lartey, Emmanuel Y. In Living Color: An Intercultural Approach to Pastoral Care and Counseling. Jessica Kingsley, 2003.
Nouwen, Henri. The Wounded Healer. Doubleday; DLT, 1972-2014.
Palmer, Parker. Let Your Life Speak. Jossey Bass. 2000.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Statement of Learning Goals (200 words) |
200 | 5.0 |
| Essay | Faith/spirituality and ministry story (min 1000 words) |
1000 | 5.0 |
| Case Study | Case study (2500 words) |
2500 | 10.0 |
| Essay | Final evaluation paper (2500 words) |
2500 | 30.0 |
| Essay | Mid term evaluation paper (2500 words) |
2500 | 20.0 |
| Report | Reports of spiritual care with people (8 of) (approx. 6000 words) |
6000 | 30.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 25 Sep, 2023
Unit record last updated: 2023-09-25 10:57:42 +1000