- 904.420.0536
Psychology research has tended to avoid full integration of faith, and present research in spiritual and moral topics of the field presumes a false dichotomy between faith-based and evidence-based practice. This presentation summarizes the current finding and agenda in research fields of sexuality, pornography and spirituality. Though research on priests and religious abound, Catholic work struggles to reach general clinical practice. As grace builds on nature, faith-based must build on evidence-based so that by faith and reason our field may ascend to the better service of our clients. We summarize current research that properly applies Catholic anthropology and a model of the integrated person. The challenges of faith-based clinicians are reviewed. Finally, a proposal for the CPA and individual clinicians is advanced which aspires to create a functional model whereby clinicians may contribute to the meaningful production of evidence based research without diminishing their time for direct client care.
Target Audience: Catholic clinicians and researchers
Course Content Level: Beginner
Learning Objectives:
This program does not qualify for NBCC credits
I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor (License# LH61526870) and NCE board certified. I currently work at non-profit Edify Mental Health as the clinical manager of a group practice. I completed my master’s in clinical mental health at Bellevue University and my clinical internship was in residential substance abuse treatment. In addition, I have a masters in aerospace engineering and an MBA both from MIT. My theoretical orientation of therapy is a mixture of existential and solution focused theories, with an interest and specific training in trauma therapy. I have completed level 3 training in Lifespan Integration.
Dr. Vance earned his M.S. in psychology and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas. He completed his pre-doctoral internship with Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska through the Nebraska Internship Consortium and Professional Psychology. This consortium is the largest in the country and Catholic Social Services provides the only APA accredited internship site that integrates Catholic spirituality into therapy. Dr. Vance completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Catholic Social Services’ Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center where in addition to clinical services, Dr. Vance conducted assessments for seminarians and candidates for religious life.
The new Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is truly one of a kind — the only program in the U.S. that fully integrates Catholic faith and ethics into clinical psychology training. Rooted in the Lasallian Catholic tradition, this program blends rigorous clinical training with a faith-based perspective, emphasizing ethics, spirituality, and holistic well-being. Designed to prepare compassionate, evidence-based mental health professionals, this program helps you align your values with your practice — and better serve your clients.
- Brief profile about me and the MS in Clinical Psychology Program
- Brief profile about one of the new MS in Clinical Psychology students
- Apply to the MS in Clinical Psychology Program
MINNEAPOLIS | ROCHESTER | WINONA | ONLINE
SMUMN.EDU
Anthony Isacco, PhD is program director, professor, and head of clinical research in the new Catholic faith-integrated MS in Clinical Psychology program at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. He is a licensed psychologist and is the principal of Puritan Psychological Services, a small private practice focused on helping clergy, seminarians, and women religious live healthy, holy, and happy lives in their vocations. Dr. Isacco is a generalist, with areas of expertise in the psychology of men and masculinity, fatherhood, psychological assessment, and religious/spiritual integration in psychology. He is a Fellow of the St. John Paul II Foundation. He sits on the Advisory Board of Saint Paul Seminary, Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Formation Team of Saint Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Seminary, Eparchy of Pittsburgh. He is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville (BA), Boston College (MA), and Loyola University of Chicago (PhD). Dr. Isacco lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and four daughters