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.
Anthony Isacco, PhD is a professor of Graduate Psychology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA and Director of Training for the PsyD in Counseling Psychology program. He is a licensed psychologist in PA and authorized to provide telepsychology services in approximately 30 states. He maintains a small private practice with a niche focus on the psychological assessment of clergy candidates to the Catholic Church. Dr. Isacco has published widely through his books, popular press articles, and academic journals on the psychological health of seminarians, fatherhood, and the psychology of men and masculinity. He sits on the Advisory Board of Saint Paul Seminary, Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Formation Team of Saint Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Pittsburgh Byzantine Eparchy. He is a proud graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville (BA, '02), Boston College (MA, '04), and Loyola University Chicago (PhD, '09).
