Spiritual Care Today | Conversations on Health and Spirituality

  Teresa is an ordained United Church of Christ (UCC) minister who has been engaged in spiritual direction and discernment coaching with individuals, groups, and organizations since 1997. In 2015, she established the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction at First UCC Phoenix, followed by the Apprentice Training Program for aspiring spiritual directors in November of 2019. With an M.Div. and Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary, Teresa is a highly qualified practitioner in the field. She has authored notable books such as 50 Ways to Pray (Abingdon Press), Spiritual Direction 101: The Basics of Spiritual Guidance (Apocryphile Press), and co-authored Incline Your Ear: Cultivating Spiritual Awareness in Congregations (Fortress Press), a book on communal discernment. Teresa's expertise in spiritual direction and discernment coaching, as well as her experience in founding and managing the Phoenix Center and Apprentice Training Program, has made her a distinguished figure in the field. Her contributions to spiritual guidance and awareness have made an impact on both individuals and communities. Teresa is currently based in Phoenix, AZ and remains connected to First UCC Phoenix. You can reach Teresa on her website at: teresablythe.net

In this episode, we talk with Tuntufye Anangisye Mwenisongole, BD, MATS, MAPC, PGDE, DTh. Tuntufye is a pastoral psychotherapist in Tanzania and works with Teofilo Kisanji University (TEKU). Tuntufye has been working at TEKU as a lecturer but also in various posts such as Dean Faculty of Theology, Director of Research, Consultancy, Publication and Postgraduate Studies. In this episode, we talk about his therapy with those affected by HIV/AIDS and how he integrates music in his work with clients.

This episode features an interview with Dr. Carol ZA McGinnis, who discusses her new book designed for students and practitioners who are interested in a practical application of spirituality in psychotherapy.

This episode features an interview with Dawn Stary, a pastoral counselor, coach, and seminarian who provides care for clergy experiencing stress and burnout in their ministry. Our discussion focuses on managing expectations, setting boundaries, and implementing self-care.

This episode features an interview with Anne Vandenhoeck, who is the director of the European Research Institute for Chaplains in HealthCare (ERICH) and initiated with her team the international survey on chaplaincy during the first wave of the pandemic. Anne used to work as a chaplain in several hospitals and is currently teaching pastoral care and spiritual care at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. Anne is also part of the faculty of ISPEC. To learn more about the project, go to: www.chaplaincyresearch.eu

This episode features an interview with Aaron Pawelek who is a pastoral counselor and co-chair of the Pastoral Care Specialist Training Program, a new curriculum developed by the former American Association of Pastoral Counselors and the current ACPE Psychotherapy Commission. The 48-hour program focuses on providing the knowledge and skills pastoral caregivers in churches and faith communities need to help others effectively, ethically, and safely. To learn more about the program, click here.   Aaron Pawelek LICSW, MSW, MTS, is an ACPE Psychotherapist at the New England Pastoral Institute in Salem, New Hampshire. He received his Master of Social Work and Master of Theological Studies degrees from Boston University. Aaron has been leading the development of the Pastoral Care Specialist program since 2017. 

This episode features an interview with Suzanne Tindall, an interfaith minister, hospice chaplain, and Certified Spiritual Director. Our discussion presents a short introduction to spiritual direction and how it differs from other forms of spiritual care.  Suzanne Tindall holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from California State University and a Master of Arts in Culture and  Spirituality from Holy Names University. She is an ordained interfaith minister and a Certified Spiritual Director through the Chaplaincy Institute.

This episode features an interview with Kayla Sadowy, who provides music therapy in hospice and other settings. We discuss how music therapy intersects with spiritual care, and how music can empower a patient 's spiritual journey. Kayla Sadowy holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Capital University and a Masters of Music Therapy from Temple University. She is also pursuing her Masters of Divinity and is a candidate for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA. 

This episode features an interview with Pamela Ayo Yetunde, who discusses some of her most recent publications, including her newest book Buddhist-Christian Dialogue, U.S. Law, and Womanist Theology for Transgender Spiritual Care. Ayo is assistant professor of pastoral and spiritual care and counseling at United Theological Seminary and founder of Center of the Heart, which provides pastoral counseling, yoga, and conflict resolution education.

This is an interview with Charles Fensham, author of Misguided Love: Christians and the Rupture of LGBTQI2+ People. Charles is Professor of Systematic Theology at Knox College, University of Toronto. The book is published by the Journal of Pastoral Care Publications and discusses the history of harm toward sexual and gender minority Christians.

In this episode, we interview Russell Siler Jones who is developing the Spiritually-Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) program with ACPE. The program will help therapists increase their knowledge and skills for working with their clients’ spirituality, as well as helping therapists learn ethically appropriate ways of drawing upon their own spirituality in the therapeutic relationship. SIP is currently in its pilot stage, but you can sign up to learn more on the ACPE website. Russell Siler Jones is a pastoral counselor in Asheville, NC, and Director of the Residency in Psychotherapy and Spirituality for CareNet-Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, in Winston-Salem, NC. He is a North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, and a North Carolina Certified Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor. He is past chair of AAPC’s Southeast Region and now serves on the ACPE Psychotherapy Commission.

In this episode, we interview George Fitchett and Wendy Cadge, who discuss the Transforming Chaplaincy program, which is focused on creating and promoting quantitative and qualitative social science research for chaplaincy. Out of the Transforming Chaplaincy project, emerged the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab which is focused on chaplain education and training. 

In this episode, we interview Katherine Tang, who is the Senior Manager for Spiritual Care, Clinical Pastoral Education, and Volunteer Services at Banner-University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Katherine has directed the program since August 2017, and was fully credentialed as a Certified Educator through ACPE in November 2018. She began as a Palliative Care chaplain in 2010 and is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.

In this episode, we interview Tahara Akmal, a ACPE Certified Educator in Washington, D.C. Tahara describes her own journey through CPE and her approach working with patients in the hospital setting. In May 2015, Tahara made history as the first Muslim woman since ACPE’s inception in 1967, certified as an Associate Supervisor. She was certified as a Full ACPE Supervisor in March 2016.

In this episode, we discuss integrating meditation and mindfulness in spiritual care. We interviewed several members of a panel on the theme of Meditation, Buddhism, and Mental Health from the Psychology, Culture, and Religion unit of the American Academy of Religion at the 2019 Annual Meeting. Interviewees include: Kin Cheung, Francisca Cho, Ira Helderman, Wakoh Shannon Hickey, Franz Metcalf, and Pierce Salguero. 

In this episode, we interview Eileen Campbell-Reed, a minister, theologian, and seminary professor. She introduces "Three Minute Ministry Mentor," a video series for equipping pastors, chaplains, counselors, activists, and seminary students in their work as ministers. You can learn more about Eileen and "Three Minute Ministry Mentor" at: www.eileencampbellreed.org

In this inaugural episode of Spiritual Care Today, we have a show in two parts. In 2019, AAPC (the American Association of Pastoral Counselors) consolidated with ACPE (the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education). Part One features an interview with Tere Canzoneri, former President of AAPC, and Amy Greene, Chair of ACPE, who both discuss the consolidation as well as the relationship between chaplaincy and pastoral counseling, or spiritually-integrated psychotherapy. Part Two features a group discussion with former leaders of AAPC who answer the question: what is pastoral counseling?