PSYCHOLOGY AT THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH:

THE FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF

THE CATHOLIC PSYCHOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION AND BEYOND

Kathryn Benes, Ph.D.
President , Catholic Psychotherapy Association

As the second president of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association (CPA), it is truly an honor to welcome you to our website and, if you are not already a member of the CPA, I invite you to “look around” at what the CPA has to offer, and I encourage you to join us in this great adventure of bringing psychology from a Catholic perspective to the service of the Church.

BRIEF HISTORY

In April 2007 Sandy McKay initiated a meeting of eight lay people and a priest to discuss our hopes and dreams for an association that would provide resources and support for those interested in Catholic psychotherapy. As a result, the CPA Board of Directors was formed. When we began this journey, we envisioned the First Annual CPA Conference as consisting of maybe 15-20 people, and more than likely we thought it would be only the nine of us sitting around a small table in some hotel conference room; we were wrong – we were thinking too small for God. On April 23, 2010 He blessed us with over 75 people from 20 states in attendance in Dawsonville, Georgia.
The three years preceding the first annual conference were very busy and had we known just how time consuming starting an association would be, we would all have had serious second thoughts. But, God sustained us and blessed our efforts.

ORGANIZATIONAL PLANNING

After 2 years of “meeting” on the telephone, we decided to come together to develop a Mission Statement and Strategic Initiatives in the hopes of opening the association up to other members. On January 9 and 10, 2009 the CPA Board met for a retreat at the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

The mission statement that resulted from that retreat reflects what we believe is at the heart of the CPA. It reads:

The mission of Catholic Psychotherapy Association is to support mental health practitioners by promoting the development of psychological theory and mental health practice that encompasses a full understanding of the human person and society in communion with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

We wanted the CPA Mission Statement to integrate the science of psychology with philosophy and theology in an effort to bring mental health practices to the service of the Church. As the Board, we envision an association that has:

• An active, vibrant membership at a national, as well as at a local chapter level
• An interactive Listserve where members can share ideas
• A website that provides helpful resources to members and those who are just interested in “visiting”
• Continuing education opportunities
• Professional articles, and someday an online journal

We further envisioned an association that would be:

• Recognized by Bishops as a trusted resource
• A source of encouragement and formation for students studying psychotherapy from a Catholic perspective
• A means of professional networking as well as a support for personal growth in holiness

COMMUNION OF PERSONS

Although the Board’s foundational efforts were very important, the First Annual CPA Conference marked a time of change. The Association is no longer nine friends working together on an idea. Now, we are 70-80 friends, with a goal of 200 by next year. And, this idea, although important, has become more than just establishing an organization to promote psychological theories and practice from a Catholic perspective. The Association is really a communion of persons wishing to foster a Catholic Culture in professional practice where ordinary lives are lived in extraordinary ways that ultimately brings help and healing to those whom God sends to us.

This Catholic Culture must be centered on the language of love as taught through our Lord Jesus Christ, and it distinguishes the CPA from all other mental health professional organizations. I look forward to the year ahead with great anticipation. I hope you’ll join us on this journey in the development of a professional organization that brings psychology to the service of the Church.

May God richly bless each of you,
Kathryn Benes, Ph.D.
President , Catholic Psychotherapy Association