The College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy
CPSP is an international, theologically based covenant community, offering accreditation and certification to individuals and programs that meet standards of expertise in pastoral counseling, pastoral supervision and psychotherapy.
CPSP confers Diplomate, Pastoral Counselor, Board Certified Clinical Chaplain and Board Certified Associate Clinical Chaplain credentials to persons who demonstrate competence, meet its standards, aspire to its principles, and commit to its discipline.
CPSP confers accreditation on clinical pastoral education (CPE) programs and pastoral counseling training centers.CPSP a community in which power is located in the grass roots, with a minimal hierarchy and minimal budget.CPSP a community in which power is located in the grass roots, with a minimal hierarchy and minimal budget.
The CPSP Chapter
Programs
CPSP accredits a wide range of training programs in clinical pastoral education, pastoral counseling, and pastoral psychotherapy. CPSP programs meet or exceed generally accepted standards of training for pastoral counselors, institutional chaplains, and pastoral psychotherapists. CPSP programs also meet traditional seminary requirements for candidates seeking graduate theological degrees as well as minimal standards set by various denominations and governmental agencies. CPSP programs are designed to prepare persons for credentials as Pastoral Counselor, Board Certified Clinical Chaplain, Board Certified Associate Clinical Chaplain, Dipolmate in Pastoral Supervision or Diplomate in Pastoral Psychotherapy. Clinical work in accredited CPSP programs may be transferred to certain universities for the pursuit of advanced theological degrees. (D.Min., Th.D.,etc)
Quality
CPSP was founded in 1990 in a response to a widely felt need in the pastoral education and counseling community for a recovery of soul. CPSP stands in the tradition of Anton T. Boisen, Helen Flanders Dunbar, Russell Dicks, Seward Hiltner, Carroll A. Wise, Thomas W. Klink, and numerous other pioneers of the clinical pastoral training movement who fostered the exploration of the inner-self leading to personal transformation of the clinically trained minister.
As the preeminent historian of the clinical pastoral training movement, Robert C. Powell has indicated, transformation rather than skill development is the essential meaning and purpose of the movement. Thus CPSP is committed theologically and primarily to the development of the idiosyncratic self of the clinically trained pastor. It is further committed to the development of specialists in Pastoral Counseling, Clinical Chaplaincy, Pastoral supervision and pastoral psychotherapy.
The Covenant of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy
Spiritual pilgrims
We, the CPSP community see ourselves as spiritual pilgrims seeking a truly collegial professional community. Our calling and commitments are, therefore, first and last theological. We covenant to address one another and to be addressed by one another in a profound theological sense. We commit to being mutually responsible to one another for our professional work and direction.
Chapters
Matters that are typically dealt with in other certifying bodies by centralized governance will be dealt with primarily in Chapters. Thus, we organize ourselves in such a way that we each participate in a relatively small group called a Chapter consisting of approximately a dozen colleagues. Teaching or counseling programs directed by CPSP Diplomates are the primary responsibility of the Chapter.
Recovery of soul
We commit ourselves to a galaxy of shared values that are as deeply held as they are difficult to communicate. "Recovery of soul" is a metaphor that points toward these values. We place a premium on the significance of the relationships among ourselves. We value personal authority and creativity. We believe we should make a space for one another and stand ready to midwife one another in our respective spiritual journeys. Because we believe that life is best lived by grace, we believe it essential to guard against becoming invasive, aggressive, or predatory toward each other. We believe that persons are always more important than institutions, and even the institution of CPSP itself must be carefully monitored lest it take on an idolatrous character.
A Living Experience
We intend to travel light, to own no property, to accumulate no wealth, and to create no bureaucracy. We are invested in offering a living experience that reflects human life and faith within a milieu of supportive and challenging community of fellow pilgrims.
Inquires
Persons interested in CPSP membership or in training programs may contact:
George Hankins Hull
hankinshull1@netzero.com
CPSP is an international, theologically based covenant community, offering accreditation and certification to individuals and programs that meet standards of expertise in pastoral counseling, pastoral supervision and psychotherapy.
CPSP confers Diplomate, Pastoral Counselor, Board Certified Clinical Chaplain and Board Certified Associate Clinical Chaplain credentials to persons who demonstrate competence, meet its standards, aspire to its principles, and commit to its discipline.
CPSP confers accreditation on clinical pastoral education (CPE) programs and pastoral counseling training centers.CPSP a community in which power is located in the grass roots, with a minimal hierarchy and minimal budget.CPSP a community in which power is located in the grass roots, with a minimal hierarchy and minimal budget.
The CPSP Chapter
- is a group of at least six members, but not more than twelve, who commit themselves to the Covenant and to further the life of the CPSP community.
- are geographically based for convenience and have no fixed geographical boundaries.maintains communication and collegial relationships on matters of importance between meetings.
- is the designated context for settlement of all matters related to accreditation and certification, adjudication and continuing education.
- provides support, challenge, discipline, consultation, education, and theological reflection for its members.
- is the entry point for persons seeking to participate in the CPSP community.The Governing Council
- is the governing body that determines the standards, policies, procedures, and boundaries of the CPSP community.
consists of general officers and representative from each chapter.provides oversight toChapters and their programs. - certifies annually that Chapters are in good standing and faithful to the Covenant.ratifies on March 17 of every year the respective Chapters’ submission of names for persons to be re-certified.
- settles matters that Chapters may be unable to resolve.is the court of last resort in the CPSP community.
Programs
CPSP accredits a wide range of training programs in clinical pastoral education, pastoral counseling, and pastoral psychotherapy. CPSP programs meet or exceed generally accepted standards of training for pastoral counselors, institutional chaplains, and pastoral psychotherapists. CPSP programs also meet traditional seminary requirements for candidates seeking graduate theological degrees as well as minimal standards set by various denominations and governmental agencies. CPSP programs are designed to prepare persons for credentials as Pastoral Counselor, Board Certified Clinical Chaplain, Board Certified Associate Clinical Chaplain, Dipolmate in Pastoral Supervision or Diplomate in Pastoral Psychotherapy. Clinical work in accredited CPSP programs may be transferred to certain universities for the pursuit of advanced theological degrees. (D.Min., Th.D.,etc)
Quality
The unique character of Chapter life fosters mutual accountability and collegiality among members. The Chapter provides an on-going community for consultation, discipline, continuing education, support and fellowship.- Discipline in CPSP is a pro-active process rather than a reactive one.
- All credentials are continually reviewed by the Chapter and all credentialed persons must be endorsed annually by the Governing Council in order to remain current.
CPSP was founded in 1990 in a response to a widely felt need in the pastoral education and counseling community for a recovery of soul. CPSP stands in the tradition of Anton T. Boisen, Helen Flanders Dunbar, Russell Dicks, Seward Hiltner, Carroll A. Wise, Thomas W. Klink, and numerous other pioneers of the clinical pastoral training movement who fostered the exploration of the inner-self leading to personal transformation of the clinically trained minister.
As the preeminent historian of the clinical pastoral training movement, Robert C. Powell has indicated, transformation rather than skill development is the essential meaning and purpose of the movement. Thus CPSP is committed theologically and primarily to the development of the idiosyncratic self of the clinically trained pastor. It is further committed to the development of specialists in Pastoral Counseling, Clinical Chaplaincy, Pastoral supervision and pastoral psychotherapy.
The Covenant of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy
Spiritual pilgrims
We, the CPSP community see ourselves as spiritual pilgrims seeking a truly collegial professional community. Our calling and commitments are, therefore, first and last theological. We covenant to address one another and to be addressed by one another in a profound theological sense. We commit to being mutually responsible to one another for our professional work and direction.
Chapters
Matters that are typically dealt with in other certifying bodies by centralized governance will be dealt with primarily in Chapters. Thus, we organize ourselves in such a way that we each participate in a relatively small group called a Chapter consisting of approximately a dozen colleagues. Teaching or counseling programs directed by CPSP Diplomates are the primary responsibility of the Chapter.
Recovery of soul
We commit ourselves to a galaxy of shared values that are as deeply held as they are difficult to communicate. "Recovery of soul" is a metaphor that points toward these values. We place a premium on the significance of the relationships among ourselves. We value personal authority and creativity. We believe we should make a space for one another and stand ready to midwife one another in our respective spiritual journeys. Because we believe that life is best lived by grace, we believe it essential to guard against becoming invasive, aggressive, or predatory toward each other. We believe that persons are always more important than institutions, and even the institution of CPSP itself must be carefully monitored lest it take on an idolatrous character.
A Living Experience
We intend to travel light, to own no property, to accumulate no wealth, and to create no bureaucracy. We are invested in offering a living experience that reflects human life and faith within a milieu of supportive and challenging community of fellow pilgrims.
Inquires
Persons interested in CPSP membership or in training programs may contact:
George Hankins Hull
hankinshull1@netzero.com