AAPC NW - ENewsletter

Notes from the Chair

by
Paul Shoup
AAPC Northwest Region Chair

I just went back and re-read the article that I wrote for the June Newsletter.  Much of what I was thinking about and working on then is still very much at the forefront of my mind.

First is that we are really gearing up for the Fall Conference at Seattle University on October 13-14. I believe that you will find this time spent with people of similar interests well worth your time.  It will be a time for you to bring someone who shares those same interests in the work on integrating spirituality and therapy to meet others in the field and a wonderful presenter.

I know that this is not the same old AAPC-Northwest region that so many of us loved and cherished.  This is a new day and a new organization.  As I attempted to say in the last Newsletter, for those of us who believe in the value of spiritual integration, continuing to support our new entity here in the Northwest is crucial. 

The field of science, the insurance industry and the legal system have done their best to crush not only what was established over 50 years ago with AAPC, they have systematically effectively moved to eliminate spirituality from the practice of psychotherapy.  If you think that is an overstatement, let’s get together and talk about this at Seattle University on October 13^th and 14th.

The approach of AAPC-NW is to develop our four sub-groups (Oregon, Tacoma/South, Seattle/North and the Hinterlands).  We are wanting to connect with the various universities that have counseling programs in counseling and invite students to come see what we are doing.  We are also counting on those who have been seasoned members to invite who are now licensed in the field to come and explore with us.  There are many Millennials who claim to be “spiritual, but not religious” who will find spiritual integration a big plus to their practice.  For some of these folks, this will be the “how to” that they have been looking for.  We need your help in identifying  these  folks by bringing them to the conference or making sure that their names get on the mailing list.

What we have heard and what I believe is that the strength of our Region is in the community that we have built.  Our hope is that there will also be a sense of community built in the regional sub-groups.  Our intention for this conference and subsequent conferences is to make sure that there is time for us to gather as a community and share our good news and our sad news and have a deepening of the connection among us.

SAD NEWS

A big hole was created for our executive committee when Eddy Crouch needed to withdraw from leadership because of the terminal diagnosis of her dear husband, Marty. We encourage you to remember Eddy and Marty in your prayers in this most difficult time.  Eddy did so much for the region.  She did so much in preparation for the coming conference.  Thank you Eddy for what you did. 

GOOD NEWS

As a result of Eddy’s departure, Greg and I needed to get help to get the rest of the conference together, to get the publicity out and to get the registration set up.  We have hired an administrative company to pick up the slack and help us get the pieces together. They are JMS Association Management Professionals in Aurora, Colorado.  Ms. Josie Hall is the person who  we have been working with.  The company was recommended to us by the Association treasurer.  This company is also doing the work for the West Region.  I have been very happy with their work, their responsiveness.  I have been very thankful  for all that they have done.

Coming Into Our Own

by
Greg Johanson, Ph.D.
AAPC Northwest Region Associate Chairperson

The massive change AAPC has been through in the last few seasons has evoked many and myriad responses.  A personal one for me is that it has offered us the freedom and necessity of coming into our own in a clearer, more forthright and powerful way.  We now have, at minimum, one commanding and compelling functional goal to organize around; namely to lead in the fostering of the integration of spirituality and therapeutic processes.

In our Northwest region, we want to share our collective wisdom in how to go about this worthy and significant task in numerous ways.  One way we have already started is to provide small group support and inspiration to each other.  In the Oregon sub-group, in which I participate, we are seeking to meet monthly, do a personal check in, provide input on various aspects of spirituality and therapy through revolving leadership, and participate in some spiritual practice.  I believe this is a serious progressive step for AAPC.  I belong to many organizations where belonging does not go much beyond signing up, paying dues, possibly reading an organization journal, and perhaps attending an occasional conference.  To meet regularly in a group that fosters personal and professional growth is a valuable and impactful matter; no small thing.  I welcome this development and recommend it to our membership, including those who are sympathetic to our mission who might not yet have joined.

A second way we can “take thou authority” to be leaders in integrating spirituality and healing therapies is to not only practice it ourselves, but to become a valued go-to resource for healers in the field.  Paul will be communicating more about a curriculum for pastoral care specialists.  Starting now, I am actively soliciting curriculum and resources for an ongoing, practical, hands-on project called something like, “AAPC Resources for the Integration of Spirituality and Healing Modalities: A Compendium.”  I imagine it would be available to any interested party at little or no cost, and would serve to enhance our position in the field, which is already getting crowded.

There will be much to say and consider over time as this project evolves and unfolds.  But immediately speaking, I encourage you to send me at greg@gregjohanson.net any resources you feel are relevant to this effort, such as:

• People:  Contact information about yourself and others you know of, and what is offered such as therapy, academic classes, classes for faith communities or non-profits, workshops, consultations, talks, sermons, etc.
• Places:  Retreat centers, program offerings, etc. that you deem helpful.
• Publications: Class curriculums, reading lists, recommended books (annotations helpful), workshop or presentation notes, articles or essays related to the theme, book reviews, etc.

Historically, I believe the AAPC has deferred in such matters to authoritative scholars, schools, and organizations such as the American Psychological Association (of which I am a member).  These all have significant value, of course.  Now, I think we have the freedom, opportunity, and calling to add our own expertise and experience into the mix.  I look forward to you joining with me in creating this AAPC manual that intends to be a helpful blessing to the many people, groups, schools, and organizations hungry for the integration of spirituality in their growth, healing, and teaching.

Grace & Peace

Greg

October 13-14, 2017 • Seattle University
Keynote Speaker: Jill L. Snodgrass, Ph.D.
Asst. Professor of Pastoral Counseling
Loyola University Maryland

Parking at Seattle University included with registration

Logding Information:
Inn At Virginia Mason
1006 Spring Street
Seattle, WA 98104
1-800-283-6453
Visit http://www.virginiamason.com and type in the word "medical"
in the promo code box for best rates available by room type.

-or-
DOWNLOAD FORM and mail to
AAPC Northwest
3000 South Jamaica Ct, #145
Aurora, CO 80014

If you have questions, contact Josie Hall
at (303) 973-8010 x103 -or-
josie@jmsamp.com

CEU Information

The National Board for Certified Counselors has approved
this program for 6.00 contact hour credits

Continuing Education credit for this program is awarded by Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) for the following professions:

Social Workers: CES, provider #1117, is approved as a Provider for Social Work Continuing Education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. CES maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 10/5/15 through 10/5/18. Social Workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social Workers participating in this course will receive  6.0 clinical continuing education clock hours.

Psychologists: Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education credit programs. CES maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Psychologists receive 6.0 hours of continuing education credit upon completing this program.

Marriage and Family Therapists: Continuing education credit for Marriage & Family Therapists is awarded in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, ME, MD, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NC, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY. CES maintains responsibility for this program. Marriage and Family therapists completing this program will receive  6.0 CE hours of credit.