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The
Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care Counseling, Care and Education Inspired by Faith |
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CLINICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING CONTACT:
DR. MARY FRAN HUGHES-MCINTYRE  Since
its beginning in 1967, the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care has
had a calling and a deep commitment to education in caring and counseling
rooted in faith. Thus we have offered a variety of programs
for ordained and lay ministers wishing to develop skills in pastoral
care and counseling. We are an ecumenical, multi-age, often
multi-cultural group seeking to respect one another and to learn
from our diversity. An ongoing theme is the relationship of
religious experience to psychological growth and problems. Educational opportunities are available for those seeking to become certified as pastoral counselors; for clergy, seminarians and church professionals seeking to improve their skills in pastoral counseling; for lay persons called to care for persons in their congregations; and for those moving toward state licensure and graduate degrees in ministry. VIPCare's educational program seeks to live out two dynamics of the faith experience: acceptance and challenge. Persons in training are approached simultaneously as ministers and as human beings. Faculty seeks to create an atmosphere of trust and respect--in this context, challenge and confrontation can help the minister move toward wholeness. The Institute strives for integration of experience and theoretical understanding in its approach to training. In small group settings and individual supervision, participants learn to enter the experiences of ministry, to reflect theologically and psychologically upon specific experiences and to return to the action. VIPCare has a policy of admitting students without regard to race, sex, age, disability, nationality, income, or religious heritage. We also actively seek women, African-Americans and other persons from underrepresented groups. VIPCare seeks to maintain openness to a variety of lifestyles, theologies and life views. Thus, an attempt is made to be open to all persons who can demonstrate their readiness for training.
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