As I’ve said before, I’ve been dismayed by the lack of information on the interwebs about people’s experience going through the CPE Supervisor training process. And I struggle when I try to explain to folks in the real world what I’m doing with my life these days. So here’s a quick summary.
I work as a chaplain, I’m also an educator and at the same time a student. I’ve heard people compare this process to getting a PhD, and right now I am similar to a TA. One CPE Supervisor said getting his PhD was much easier than undergoing this process.
Below is a diagram of what the process looks like (click to enlarge). I’ve heard getting to the Associate Supervisor level (aka – when you can do this for a living) can take anywhere from 3 to 10 years. Last week I reached a milestone as I met with and passed my certification committee. I am now a CPE Supervisory Candidate, meaning I can supervise/teach/counsel the chaplain chickadees on my own, while videotaping everything for review with my supervisors.
Meeting with the committee is an INSANE experience. About 50% of people fail the first time. I’ll have to meet with a committee again down the road when I attempt certification as an Associate Supervisor and then again as I try to get certified as a Full Supervisor.
The committee consists of 5 CPE Supervisors. A month prior to the meeting I had to send huge binders of materials to these individuals who then in turn read them and prepare a report on me. The materials were 150+ pages in length and included my autobiography, a verbatim, papers I’ve written about pastoral care, theology & my CPE journey, plus all my old CPE evaluations.
The real test is how you do when you are with the committee for 1.5 hours. You have to walk the fine line of being competent yet vulnerable, polished but still emotionally available. You’re supposed to name your emotions, comment on the relational dynamics in the room and portray your supervisory skills. They ask all sorts of questions and tell you their experience of you. It is like a CPE Interview on steroids.
The committee then takes 45 minutes to decide and calls you back in to let you know their decision. My supervisor was surprised that I wasn’t jumping for joy when they told me I passed – truth be told – I was in shock and so darn tired!
malcolmmarler said:
Wow Christine, now that is a grueling process! I’m proud of you for getting through the important hoop to become a CPE Supervisory Candidate!
Keep going, we need you in the Clinical Pastoral Education world!
Malcolm
Christine said:
Thanks Malcolm! PS, I’m jealous that David gets to hang out with you this week!
Janet Anthony said:
As I read all that you went through I was reminded of a friend of going thru the process will I was doing my Residency. Many time she tried to explain to me what was going on but I had a hard time understanding, I had just be introduced to the CPE process.
It seems to me that the time spent takes much longer than becoming a MD.
Keep up the good work.
Christine said:
Ah yes, I was in that same position – watching someone go through it while I was in residency and had no clue what it entailed. It was probably just as well, as had I known what the process was like, I might never have started it! Thanks for your support!
artofsabbath said:
Shared this on FB for my SES-type friends. Many of them are just getting started, and a couple just made full supervisor. I particularly like your star!
Christine said:
Ah, thanks! And encourage your FB SES friends to join our newish FB group for people crazy enough to be in this process – https://www.facebook.com/groups/supervisoryeducation/
artofsabbath said:
Oooh, nice. I just told one of my friends about it, and she said she was definitely going to join. I will definitely spread the word some more.
Greg Stoddard said:
You are not a candidate anymore. You got the prize.
jessdoerrer said:
Christine,
Hi there! Not sure if you remember me but I graduated from PTS with you 🙂 I am now the first staff Chaplain at a small community hospital in way upstate NY (an hour outside MOntreal). The only other Pastoral Care person is a priest who is provided by the regional dioceses. THANK YOU for putting chaplaincy out there. I had high hopes of doing something similar with my blog but it has fallen by the wayside for now so I’m grateful to see yours and feel the camraderie (sp?)
Anyway my question is…..it sounds like you really are on-call at the hospital a lot. As stands, I am the only one with a pager 24/7 for non-catholic patients and I am making an argument that one person cannot provide 24/7 coverage and that if the hospital wants that, like with any other discipline, it will need to provide funds for it. You are not in that boat are you—-on call till 3 am by yourself with no one else on call? And either way, do you have any lessons you’ve learned about preventing burnout?
Thanks again for putting the conversation out there!
Jessie Doerrer
Christine said:
Jessie! Lovely to reconnect with you on here! And woah, what a situation you have at your hospital, that sounds completely unsustainable on your end. I’m not in that boat at the moment. One of the Chaplaincy Gurus (who speaks Administrator language very well) at my organization has some helpful thoughts on it. I’ll see if I can’t locate some articles by him and send them your way.
And burn out, I’m not great at preventing. I’ve had a post entitled “Self Care” that I just can’t bring myself to post, since I can be so awful about it myself.
Khoa said:
Christine, I am a resident chaplain right now at the VA in WV. I have a MDiv in Catholic Theology. I am wondering if there is a way you can be my mentor because I too have great anxieties at night worrying about this process. Would you help? My email is bsn2012@aol.com
Mercy Anna Saragih said:
Christine, I am struck with your the crazy….I agree with you.I am Mercy, an Indonesian. I am now in Philippine heart Center in Manila for my third and last supervisor in training. I will prepared myself for assistant supervisor. Thank you to let me enter and sharing the experience in this field.
Greg Grotbeck said:
I too have been looking for information on what is done and how long the process takes. This is very helpful thanks.
Lucinda said:
so was it worth it?
Winston Carter said:
Do they offer a stipend for SES like they do for CPE
Crystal S. said:
Great blog post. I am also in the process. I resonate with this post. I am going up for supervisory candidate committee next month.
Pingback: What is a Chaplain Resident & How Do You Become One? | 1 hand open
ablokeandhisblog said:
THANK YOU! I am working towards this as a final goal and am curious about the ins and outs and you are right…besides your writing…little to nothing explains the actual source. Such a great resource in helping the discernment process – thank you so much!
dr.eshwaran said:
I am a physician (actually a psychiatrist) and, I am wanting to be a CPE supervisor. I would rate my 1-year CPE training was tougher than my 10-year Medical school education. Now I am doing my PhD in Theology. Looking for Supervisory chaplaincy training to begin in Fall 2018. Please suggest a place in or around Berkeley. Thanks. Krish (p.ramakrishnan@berkeley.edu)
Alverniadisnew said:
They changed the process a little in regards to 2018. I hope it becomes a little easier lol I have heard the stories! Good luck to you & blessings ❤
Sarah said:
Christine,
Are you a full supervisor now! I want to be your student!
Sarah
Khoa said:
Sarah
There is a CPE Supervisor named Kenneth Linder. He is amazing. If you can’t connect with Christine look him up. Last time I checked he was working in a VA hospital. Best wishes.