The Spiritual Worldview of Catholic Christian Clients: Understanding the Interaction with the Transcendent and How to Therapeutically Respond

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Description: 
Catholic clients believe in a faith which accepts the reality of demonic spirits and the possibility that these entities may be allowed to attack and even to possess individuals. However, these phenomena are rare, and so it is not presumed that a person exhibiting extraordinary symptoms is possessed. Rather, Church teachings stipulate that it is important to carefully investigate the occurrence of such phenomena to ensure that a person who believes they are spiritually afflicted  are not in fact suffering only from some natural medical or psychological condition. Most often, the problem is not an “either/or” but a “both/and” circumstance, and this necessitates collaboration between clinicians and religious authorities to determine the root causes, spiritual and psychological, in planning effective treatment and care of the client and the family members who are impacted.

Category of Education: D1.1 Assessment/ Evaluation, Intervention

Intended Audience: 

• Psychologists
• Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors
• Clergy/Religious

Content Learning Level: Beginner

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn the basic foundational understanding of how Christian anthropology conceptualizes the presence and impact of angelic forces on human persons.
2. Understand the complexity of having to consider both natural and supernatural impacts upon a person’s functioning, especially those whose belief systems allow for the reality of demonic influence to impact the human person.
3. Learn strategies for addressing clients needs with respect to managing aberrant behavior manifested during counseling sessions as well as supporting the person as they seek spiritual assistance.

Schedule:

• First 30 minutes - Theology, anthropology, and Church teachings on spiritual affliction and possession by Fr. John Szada, PhD
• Second 30 minutes - The psychological syndromes that are commonly seen in those who believe they are supernaturally afflicted and the impact on the client’s family by Frank Moncher, PhD

Cancelation Policy: 
Refunds will not be offered for this event. However, registrants who cannot attend live are able to select the option to watch on demand and complete the home study to receive CE credits (if offered) at a later date. Any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Mary Hanys at mhanys@catholicpsychotherapy.org for more details

The Catholic Psychotherapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Catholic Psychotherapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.