PCC Newsletter - Alumni Online Community

Neumann University
January, 2012
PCC Newsletter
University initiates —
Winter Collation to Honor Grads
Inside this issue:
Two firsts are occurring with the
SD Student’s Kaleidoscope 2 close of the current semester, and both
of them involve graduates of PCC. For
PC Ministry to North Bend 3 the first time in the history of PCC a
group of students have completed their
Faculty Feats Celebrated
4 degree work in pastoral counseling and
will graduate in December. [See names
See One Semester in Month 5 below]. Simultaneously, the University
has decided to initiate a celebration for
Dan Gottlieb = Human!
6 August and December graduates to celebrate their accomplishments in a more
Alpha Omega Nu Elections 7 timely manner.
The opportunity for the PC graduates to move up the end date for their
courses came when the department
established a Fall section of the final
capstone course, Interdisciplinary
Pastoral Counseling
Seminar. This came about as more
Graduates
students progressed in the accelerated schedule of course work. Four
August 11
Mathew Mulangacherryil, students wrote their seminar papers
and met with the professors for their
OFM Cap
oral consultation at the beginning of
December 11
December. Mathew MulangacherAngela Doyle
ryil, OFM Cap, finished before reDomenica Rafferty
turning to his native India in August.
Elin Biely, who already completed
Loretta Saponaro
the certificate in PC, went on to comAustin Schafer
plete the Masters in Spiritual Direction, one of the last few students in
Spiritual Direction
the degree program.
Graduate
The January commemoration of
Elin Biely
the degree completion is entitled
Clinical Sites Explored
8
Collation, a term from Church history that refers to a gathering where
a light meal is served. A fitting
word, this first collation will host the
graduating student and two guests.
The students’ names, degrees and
honors will be announced but distribution of diplomas will take place, in
the traditional manner in the spring.
The office of the Vice President
for Academic Affairs who extended
the invitation for the “reception in
anticipation of May commencement” looks forward to faculty, administrators and staff joining with
the graduates in the Mirenda Center
for the University’s first Collation.
Page 2
From both sides of the desk —
SD Graduate Observes Theologians
Karen Batdorf, who graduated
in 2008 with her degree in Spiritual Direction, shares a reflection
on a recent opportunity she had in
collaboration with Dr. Eileen
Flanagan.
I knew when I graduated the
Spiritual Direction program several
years ago that I would directly offer spiritual direction in my local
community. I did not know how
that knowledge might serve me in
other ways. Exploring those ideas
is a little like the process of twisting a kaleidoscope.
I have always
been captivated
by kaleidoscopes.
The particles and
pieces inside
never change but
one spin and the
panoramas inside
take on new
meanings and
perspectives.
Karen Batdorf ‘08
I have always been captivated
by kaleidoscopes. The particles
and pieces inside never change
but one spin and the panoramas
inside take on new meanings and
perspectives. This past semester
I was blessed with the opportunity
to spin my personal kaleidoscope.
I wanted to discern if I might like to
become an adjunct professor, perhaps in a field such as undergraduate theology.
As graduates we can audit any
course offered at Neumann University. In order to aid in my discernment I audited two undergraduate Theological Foundations
courses. I contacted Dr. Eileen
Flanagan to make sure I
would be permitted to audit. She agreed and,
when the opportunity presented itself, I was able to
take a more active role in
her class. Dr. John Kruse
is one of the two full-time
theologians on the faculty.
With his theology class
meeting right
before Eileen’s, I had
the opportunity
to watch him
and become
acquainted
with how he
Karen Batdorf, SD –08,
approached
shares how her experience with two Neumann
his course.
professors resulted in a
That’s
new ministry direction.
when I gave
my kaleidoscope a big spin. Taking the
time to see the class from a teacher’s
perspective as well as learning how two
distinctly different professors approach
the same material was a great blessing.
The opportunity gave me a chance to
pull forth gifts from my past experience
at Neumann. Knowledge gained in the
course work, as well as many years of
experience in youth ministry, brought to
life gifts sitting inside my kaleidoscope
lying a little dormant in recent years. It
just took a little twist to come up with a
new way to see them.
The biggest gift from this discernment process was having the time to
really examine my talents and experiences. Because of this opportunity my
kaleidoscope has taken another twist. I
have just recently accepted a full time
position as Director of Religious Education for my local parish. I am excited at
the prospect of seeing all the ways my
particles, pieces, talents and knowledge
will be used in this new opportunity. I
also cannot thank Dr. Flanagan and Dr.
Kruse enough for sharing this past semester’s journey with me.
Page 3
To hundreds of miles away —
PC Graduate Carries Legacy from Program, Past
When Margaret
“Maggie” Guiterrez
was a student in the
PC Masters’ program
from 2006-2010 she
put thousands of miles
on her car driving from
her home in Egg Harbor Township, NJ to
Aston, PA. Perhaps
Maggie and husband, Al, in
this was prophetic beSynod Hall, Vatican City,
backed by Blessed John Paul cause now Maggie
has put almost anII bronze sculpture.
other thousand miles
between herself and Neumann. She writes to update
us on her move and her ministry.
Last year, I moved to South Bend, IN, as my husband, Al, accepted the CEO position at St. Joseph
Regional Medical Center. We've made the transition
to living in the Midwest, bought a home, and I started
working in the Outreach Department of the hospital. I
am assigned to the Community Needs project, whose
purpose is to investigate how the hospital can do a
better job in serving the different segments of the
community.
The assessment which began with a survey was
sent to all parts of the surrounding community. I assisted in conducting surveys in the marginalized areas
of town - to be sure everyone was included. My responsibility was to visit homeless shelters, women's
centers and non-profit agencies, looking for input from
all segments of society.
Once this information gathered, we conducted focus groups in different segments of the community..
For example, I led a focus group in the Latino community one day, and another day conducted a group in
an African American Senior Center. Here is where
Neumann’s PCC and the skills I learned there became important. I used a great deal of therapeutic
questioning and active listening to gain the most information possible in these sessions. Also, I noticed how
distinctly the needs of the Latino community differed
from those of the senior citizens.
With the focus groups we created a forum for
all now is to assist in addressing them by organizing the data and doing a final needs assessment.
One area in particular that arose sparks my interest as it is based on my Neumann skills. This is
performing psycho educational sessions for
women in the marginalized side of town. I am
drawn to a facility called St. Margaret's House,
whose mission is to give women and children a
safe place to be during the day. They serve lunch,
snacks and provide emotional support. I would like
to start a six-week self-esteem building course for
the women at this Center.
In addition to my work for St. Joseph’s, I was
approached by a Sister of the Holy Cross to help
her in fighting the gang situation in South Bend.
She has asked me to serve on her "Gang Busters"
committee to counteract the violence among the
African American and Latino males here.
On a personal note, I have become a docent at
the Center for History in South Bend. The exhibit,
“Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America,”
has been running through to the end of 2011.
Here I lead tours that honor and teach about the
contributions of women religious in the U.S. Going
through
training for
this, I reflected on
the many
sisters who
have positively affected my
life — S.
Suzanne
Maggie with Reverend Mother Mary JoMayer is
seph Uzoigave (a participant in the conone of
ference, from Nigeria, West Africa at the
International Conference.
them. Her
pastoral
perspective that she shared with me at Neumann
is now my own.
Continued on page 7
Page
Page
4 4
At the November International Meeting of the Society for the
Study of Christian Spirituality in San Francisco, Dr. Eileen
Flanagan reconnected with the Director of Research for All Hallows College, Dublin, Ireland to discuss outcomes of her Fulbright project research on spiritual care in
healthcare contexts. Eileen’s networking with Irish Healthcare professionals —
nursing and theology professors, researchers in pain management, social workers,
chaplains and oncology nurse/spiritual care practitioners — laid the groundwork for
the well-attended International Conference on Mental Health, Practical Theology
and Spirituality held at All Hallows last June. A journal of the proceedings is forthcoming.
Suzanne Mayer, ihm, Ph.D. gave several all-day retreats for several groups,
including the members of staff of the St. Vincent System for the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia and two school staffs in the Wilmington diocese. She has had two essays on Pastoral Impressions published in the same issue as Dr. Fletcher for Lectionary Homiletics the Third and Fourth Sundays after Christmas. Finally, she
served as a consultant for Sage Publishers for a new book titled Ethics in Counseling and Therapy: Developing an Ethical Identity by Rick Houser and for Counselling
and Spiritualite, the journal of the Universite St. Paul in Toronto for an article entitled “Relationship between spirituality and death fear in aging adults.”
Congratulations to Dr. Jim Houck for his application to the 2012 Council for
Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice
in Student Learning Outcomes. While not one of the three finalists [0f 47 national
entries], the Award Committee noted “the impressive work Neumann University is
doing with regard to student learning outcomes and your commitment made in this
vital area.
New Requirement for LPC
For Supervisors Overseeing Post Grad Hours
An FYI
regarding
new mandate
in acquiring
LPC
Students who have completed the
PC Masters degree and are looking
forward to being licensed as professional counselors in PA are familiar
with the requirements set by the state
board in Harrisburg for a supervisions’
qualifications. They know that the individual must either be an LPC
him/herself or hold a license in a related field and have at least five years
experience within the last 10. Both of
these mandates appear in the PA Code.
With the past month or so, add to
that an additional requirement for those
whose clinical hours are being earned
in a site outside the Commonwealth,
such as in nearby states of DE or NJ.
Now the supervisor must also have a
license from the state in which the licensee in training is acquiring hours.
With forewarning over the summer
that this prerequisite would be added
to the Board’s requirements even
though not made a part of the official
code, S. Suzanne has applied for and
received reciprocity with Delaware as
licensed Professional Counselor of
Mental Health (the professional title
used in DE). Other faculty in the department are looking into reciprocity
Page 5
ONE SEMESTER IN ONE MONTH: SUMMER 2012
COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
Complete one semester in one month by enrolling in Neumann University’s time intensive Pastoral Counseling summer courses. The various offerings can also be taken for CEUs or for Audit by those eligible. For students
wishing to continue in their practicum or internship, clinical course supervision will be available (3 credits).
PCC 626A: Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Healing (2 credits). Four Mondays: May 14, 21, 28, June 4 4:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Researchers in both secular and spiritual fields are looking at the process of forgiveness as an intrinsic need for healing and
wholeness. With this in mind, pastoral counselors and caregivers are in a unique position to help persons to whom they minister to
move into and through the process. Suzanne Mayer, ihm, Ph.D., Professor of Pastoral Counseling and Coordinator of Pastoral and
Theological Studies, will present the most current offerings in theology, theory and therapeutic engagement along all aspects of forgiveness.
PCC 787: Psychopharmacology (2 credits). Four Tuesdays, May 15, 22, 29, June 5 4:30 – 9:30 p.m.
This study of the major psychoactive medications and their clinical use emphasizes the need to develop a collaborative
treatment approach between the counseling and prescribing medical doctor. Current parameters for the use of psychotropic drugs
for diverse populations and the interaction with other substances, including food, and with physical illnesses and their treatment will
be presented. Professor of Pastoral Counseling, James Houck, Ph.D., whose previous presentation of the course received strong
recommendations by students, will teach the course.
PCC 626-A: Psychodynamic issues in counseling (2 credits). Four Tuesdays, May 15, 22, 29, June 5 4:30 – 9:30 p.m.
The psycho-dynamic approach places emphasis on the importance of the client’s internal world, early development and the
healing power of empathic relationships. Rev. Wally Fletcher, D.Min., adjunct professor of Pastoral Counseling, has practiced and
taught psychodynamic therapy for over 30 years. He also applies this approach in his consulting practice with workgroups and organizations. This course will focus on key concepts like unconscious mental processes, mental defense mechanisms, as well as the
role of early relationships and trauma in human health and pathology. It will also focus on the importance of transference, countertransference and resolving resistance in counseling and psychotherapy. Finally, the compatibility between psychodynamic values
and Franciscan values of respect for persons will be explored.
PCC 783: Child and Adolescent Counseling (2 credits). Four Wednesdays: May 16, 23, 30, June 6 4:30 – 9:30 p.m.
This course presents an overview of the developmental issues and crises facing children and youth. Building on an understanding of the unique stages of development for young children through adolescents, factors, issues and situations that impact this
population toward health or illness will be studied. Appropriate clinical interventions from varied approaches will be included. Each
of the four evenings will be headed by a different instructor with particular expertise in the topic of the evening. These include:
Meg Cole, ssj, M.S., LMFT, Coordinator of Safe Environment at Diocese of Allentown, on developmental theories cover
ing the early history of growth and maturation.
Jill Schott, M.S., with years of experience at Child Guidance Resource Center and now in private practice, on therapeutic
interventions for younger children and with a focus on Play Therapy across all ages.
Rev. Bryan Bass Riley, M.S., as director of A.I. Dupont/Nemours Hospital Pastoral Care Department and Clinical Pas
toral Education Coordinator, on trauma in childhood.
Michael D’Angelo, M.S., recent director of Neumann’s Center for Wellness Counseling and former youth and campus
minister, on understanding and intervention of the adolescent.
Clinical Program Supervision (3 credits) for Practicum and Internship courses offered for six Thurdays.
PCC 770-771: Supervision of Internship (3 credits) Six Thursdays: May 17, 24, 31, June 7, 14, 21 4:30 – 9:30 p.m.
PCC 740-750: Supervision of Practitcum (3 credits) Six Thursdays: May 17, 24, 31, June 7, 14, 21 4:30 – 9:30 p.m.
For more information or to register please contact the PCC secretary, Mary Anne Stewart
at stewartm@neumann.edu or 610-558-5572.
Page 6
Radio Host, Writer, Psychologist
Prefers to be Called by Title on his Card: HUMAN
The world knows him for many accomplishments: Currently, he hosts
"Voices in the Family, an award-winning mental health call-in radio show airing on
WHYY 90.9 FM, Philadelphia's public radio station. From 1993 until 2008, he wrote
a highly regarded column for the Philadelphia Inquirer titled: "Inside Out," reflecting
on the events in the world around us and the many ways we experience those
events. He has also previously published a total of four books” [dangottlieb.com].
All I am
asking . . . is
human
kindness.
Is that too
much to ask?
Dr. Dan
Gottlieb
Dr. Dan Gottlieb can identify all these and more milestones in his resume,
but this gentle speaking man, who spends his life in a wheel chair paralyzed from
the chest down, prefers a two syllable word for his list of credits: Human. Those
who had the honor to hear and see Dr. Gottlieb on November 16 understand why
he merits this title. On that date, Dr. Gottlieb presented a workshop entitled eXcluded: Alienation and Ostracism in Sports in Neumann’s Meagher Theater.
Hosted by several venues at the University, including the Pastoral Care and Counseling department, the sponsors can smile in pride, not only for the wellrepresented audience of attendees ranging from high school athletes to adult professionals, but for the power and presence that Dr. Gottlieb brought to the stage.
Dr. Gottlieb’s presentation wove its compassionate premise around both the
pain of and healing from experiences of alienation as told to him by three athletes.
In one, a young woman recounted the moment her high school ice hockey coach
tore the capital “C” from her uniform, angry because one of his players appeared
right before play-offs with “a red Mohawk” hairstyle. In the telling, years later, the
former student-athlete still was moved to sobbing remembrance of her humiliation
and hurt. The healing comes with forgiveness was Dr. Gottlieb’s message, as he
spoke the words in the name of the absent coach. In a question and answer session, Dr. Gottlieb was challenged by one of the audience members, a high school
coach himself, that he was being “too demanding of coaches” with all their responsibilities requiring them to perform in the way described. “Kindness!” challenged
Dan Gottlieb. “All I am asking for from this man, an adult dealing with this young
student, is human kindness. Is that too much to ask?”
Dr. Gottlieb could not stand to receive the affirmation of the audience at the
close of the program. Never mind! The audience rose to resounding applause.
Page 7
In Memoriam
The PCC community joins in prayers for
the following persons whose loss is
mourned:
M. D. Sebastian, father of Father Mathew
Mulangacherryil, OFM Cap,
who died in India.
Jane and William McQuain, family of
Carmen Wilson, who died suddenly.
Patricia “Trish” Gagliardo, a 1998 graduate
of the PC Masters’ program.
Pastoral Care and Counseling Newsletter
Neumann University, One Neumann Drive,
Aston, PA 19014-1298, January, 2012
____________________________________________
The Pastoral Care and Counseling Newsletter is a
department publication issued several times during the academic year. Written by and for the
members of the Pastoral Care and Counseling Department, it contains articles, reviews, interviews
and forms of reflective material of interest to
these members submitted in advance to the editor
of the publication.
Editor: Suzanne Mayer, ihm, Ph.D.
As Alpha Omega Nu takes off —
Members Meet, Elect New Officers for Year Ahead
The voting closed on SurveyMonkey on
December 14 with 87% of the ballots cast. The
first election for the newly-formed honor society, Alpha Omega Nu, a local chapter of the
national graduate society, Chi Sigma Iota, had
taken place.
Ing order of business for them will involve organizing
the first Installation Ceremony to be held in the later
part of the semester. Meetings for this will take
place after the Christmas break with details to follow
for all involved. Another imminent issue is to consider inviting alumni to join the Honor Society.
Several candidates for office of president
ran closely until Meg Fleming, ihm, asked to
have her name removed from the voting due to
current demands on her time. With this, Latifah
Griffin moved forward to a resounding lead to
take the office of president. The position of
president-elect, who will serve with Latifah and
assist in administrative responsibilities went to
Robin Ball with the largest percentage of votes.
Advised of her new position, President Latifah
Griffin remarked, "First, I want to thank all of my
peers for putting me in this position. Second, I would
really like to see us work toward bridging the
gap between professional counselors and counselors in training through Alpha Omega Nu. Lastly, I
hope that my peers will see the benefits of Alpha
Omega Nu and be encouraged to join."
The offices of Secretary and Treasurer
seemed to go back and forth between several
candidates and in the end Danielle Teti, ihm
and Nicole Gross were elected for each of the
offices, respectively. A number of ballots that
needed to be handed on hard copy due to
some members having difficulty with the SurveyMonkey site confirmed the offices. These
officers will serve throughout the Spring semester and into the next year. The most press-
Maggie Guiterrez — from page 3
Most recently, I just returned from Rome as I was
invited to attend the XXVI International Conference,
“Pastoral Care in Health at the Service of Life in the
Light of the Magisterium of Blessed John Paul II”
held in Synod Hall in Vatican City. I noted the
themes of “dignity of the human person” resonate
from my studies in PCC.
Page 8
Department of Pastoral Care and
Counseling
One Neumann Drive
Aston, PA
19014
Next in the ongoing overview of sites —
Coordinator looks at nearby
Treatment Center
For the past 25 years, Mirmont Treatment
Center has helped thousands of people and their
families who suffer from addiction, begin the journey of recovery from alcoholism and drug dependency. Located on Yearsley Road in Lima, PA, the
Center lies not even five miles from Neumann University’s campus. Over the quarter century the relationship between the Pastoral Counseling program has been an active one. A number of student
interns in the past have done their clinical hours at
this site.
One of the reasons might lie in Mirmont’s
mission statement that resonates well with the positions of the pastoral program. They state on their
site: “Mirmont is dedicated to providing compassionate, quality treatment to all those affected by
alcoholism, drug dependency and other mental
health issues.” Further, they state that they operate with the belief that every person who comes
through their doors has the opportunity to enter a
process that will help him or her make the necessary changes to live a sober and free life. By establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship, the
participant and treatment team work together to set
goals and to be successful in attaining them.
Mirmont offers a full continuum of inpatient
and outpatient programs and services for adults
over the age of 18. These include: Inpatient medically monitored detoxification and rehabilitation;
inpatient dual diagnosis, along with intensive outpatient treatment and individual therapy. The wide
range of treatment offerings provides for varied
training possibilities.
Congratulations to
Domenica Rafferty, Austin Shafer
and Angela Doyle who passed the
National Counselor Exam (NCE) in
October! Under the guidelines of
the Council for the Accreditation of
Counseling and Related Education
Programs, Neumann University is
an approved testing site for the
NCE. Students who are within six
months of their graduation date are
eligible to sit for this exam. The
NCE, which assesses general
knowledge known by all counselors is used by many states for licensing standards. group counseling, and human development.