Category : Pastoral Counseling

Michael Bland promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor

Long-time Adjunct Faculty member Michel Bland has recently been promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor.

Dr. Bland is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and works as an educator, therapist, a consultant, and a psychometrician.  Dr. Bland has a wide-range of experience in providing direct clinical services to adolescents and adults with post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, as well as individuals dealing with identity issues, life changes, including vocational, employment, relational issues, grief/loss, and geriatric issues in various clinical settings.  Dr. Bland also has provided outreach to victims of sexual abuse including providing individual counseling and group therapy for victims and their families.

We recently asked Professor Bland to share with the IPS community.

How long have you been affiliated with IPS?  In what capacity?        I am completing the end of my tenth year. 

Are you currently involved in other formal pursuits, other than IPS?        I have a private practice on the north side of Chicago.

What classes are you currently teaching this semester?        This semester I am teaching: IPS 512: Ethics for Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction, IPS 520: Testing, Measurement & Assessment, and in the fall, I will be teaching IPS 509: Psychopathology.

What continues to draw you to IPS?        After being invited as a guest speaker a few times, I quickly found the spirit and mission of IPS to be very attractive, and in the Spring of 2009, I was asked to teach Psychopathology. I remain because of that same spirit, ministry, and passion. I enjoy the community and the diversity of the student population.

Can you share a personal spiritual practice that continues to restore and re-energize your mind, body, heart and spirit?        I find it important for me to take quiet time for myself to be able to find my foundation and center. I also enjoy having Labrador Retrievers as they remind me to relax, enjoy and walk! Walking them a few miles a day forces me to enjoy the outdoors as well as my time with them!

We congratulate Professor Bland on his recent promotion and hope that he continues to be part of the formation of IPS students.

You can reach Professor Michael Bland at mbland1@luc.edu.

4-11-2019 | Comments Off on Michael Bland promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor

IPS Coordinator of Formation on Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Counseling

Submitted by Carol Taliaferro, IPS Coordinator of Formation

Which is right for me?  Spiritual Direction and/or Pastoral Counseling?

This is a really good question and one that comes up often. So let’s start by defining terms.  First, spiritual direction, as the name implies, is primarily about the spiritual life: our relationship with God and the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  It is also involved in fostering personal growth in and deeper intimacy with God (as experienced in prayer and lived out in discipleship).

Counseling and psychotherapy are different.  These terms are often used interchangeably so I’d like to make a distinction here as well.  Counseling helps us to work through and resolve problems in our lives and relationships.  Psychotherapy, on the other hand, goes deeper and is primarily focused on the emotional life and helps us to heal past hurts and to look at and resolve unhealthy patterns in our lives.

When should you pursue counseling/therapy vs. spiritual direction?

If you are struggling with emotional pain and negative patterns of behavior in your life, dealing with depression or mood disorders, anxiety, addictions or other diagnosable conditions, psychotherapy is your best option.   Do you need guidance and support sorting out your life and your relationships?  Counseling would be the way to go.

Are you trying to grow in your relationship with God and discern the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life?  Then, spiritual direction is what you should pursue.

Keep in mind that each discipline is not mutually exclusive and you can participate in spiritual direction along with therapy and counseling.

(Adapted excerpt from: Spiritualdirection.com – Catholic Spiritual Direction – What is the Difference between Counseling and Spiritual Direction?)

“Pastoral counselors hold a unique position in the field of counseling.  With their combination of theological training and advanced education in the behavioral sciences, they are poised to provide effective mental health counseling that is capable of respectfully integrating religious and spiritual components.”

(The Misunderstood Pastoral Counselor: Knowledge and Religiosity as Factors Affecting a Client’s Choice, Walker, et. al., Paper based on a program presented at the 2012 American Counseling Association Annual Conference and Exposition, San Francisco, CA, March 23-25,)

Reflection Corner

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards to God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10

Spiritual formation requires taking not only the inward journey to the heart, but also the outward journey from the heart to the community and ministry.  Christian spirituality is essentially communal.  Spiritual formation is formation in community.  In community, we learn what it means to confess our weakness and to forgive each other.  In community, we discover our own woundedness but also a place of healing.  In community, we learn true humility.  Without community, we become individualistic and egocentric.  Therefore, spiritual formation always includes formation to life in community.

(Henri Nouwen, Following the Movements of the Spirit, Spiritual Formation with Christensen, M. J. & Laird, R. J.)

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You can reach Carol Taliaferro at ctaliaferro1@luc.edu.    
To learn more about IPS, go to https://www.luc.edu/ips/.  For those interested in applying to IPS, go to https://gpem.luc.edu/apply/.
3-14-2019 | Comments Off on IPS Coordinator of Formation on Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Counseling

IPS Student Patrice Nerone Awarded 2018 President’s Medallion

Each year, Loyola University Chicago honors its most outstanding students with the President’s Medallion.  This award recognizes students who exemplify the three words etched on the medal: leadership, scholarship and service.  Representing IPS in the roster of university-wide medallion recipients this year is Patrice Nerone, a dual degree M.Div.-MAPC (Master of Divinity-Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling) degree student.

“Each of the recipients was recommended for this award by their academic dean because they exemplify a wonderful combination of achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service,” said Jane Neufeld, vice president for Student Development. “In short, they are students for which Loyola and its founders can take great pride.”

We reached out to Patrice to find out what this award means to her, as well as to learn how IPS has impacted her life.

What does the President’s Medallion award mean to you, Patrice?

I feel very humbled to receive this award and what means most to me about it is that I feel seen and appreciated as a valued member of the IPS community. To know that everyone here is supporting me and wants me to succeed has had a profound effect on my sense of belonging and my desire and ability to risk putting myself out there more. I’m learning that succeeding doesn’t mean I’m expected to do everything perfectly, but that my humanly often imperfect self is sufficient.

I understand you’re currently on a dual M.Div.-MAPC track here at IPS.  Can you tell us a little bit about what you were doing prior to enrolling at IPS?  How did you discern IPS to be your next step?

I was a holistic nurse at Cleveland Clinic working with a team of chaplains to provide complementary therapies and spiritual and emotional support for patients, their families, and the employees. I deeply connected with the chaplains and decided to study spiritual direction with their encouragement. At the same time, I was learning hypnotherapy and between the two programs of study I felt called to something more. Through the process of Ignatian discernment my spiritual director suggested I consider chaplaincy and recommended Loyola. I was very drawn to the dual degree at IPS because it encompassed all of my interests and that the focus was on pastoral presence rather than an intellectual approach to counseling was a key factor in my decision making.

What has your IPS journey been like so far?

My favorite experience with IPS was the Rome study. It was as much a spiritual experience as it was educational and I am eager to return to Rome with IPS for a pilgrimage experience. I can’t imagine a better group to make a pilgrimage journey with and highly recommend including this opportunity in your studies, if possible.

I am so appreciative of my time at Loyola and realize how much Ignatian Spirituality and the IPS learning environment has helped me grow in awareness, acceptance, and empathy for myself and others. The administration, faculty, and students have all demonstrated a level of compassionate care and unconditional positive regard that makes Loyola stand out amongst all the other schools I’ve attended. I will hold in my heart many fond memories of all those who shared this particular journey with me.

How do you envision life unfolding after IPS?

This is still a work in progress. I will most likely be looking for either a post-graduate fellowship or a chaplain residency program that enables me to continue developing experience and skill in both chaplaincy and counseling. I believe I still have much to learn and yet I also have much to offer so, I feel it’s time now to put my experience to work in a meaningful way while continuing to build on the foundation Loyola provided.

How have you ensured balance in your holistic life, given your IPS commitments?  Can you share a personal spiritual practice that continues to restore and re-energize your mind, body, heart and spirit?

My life journey thus far has helped me learn to accept my limitations without shame or guilt and that it’s ok, and moreover it’s necessary, to make my own wellbeing a priority. This means taking time to pay attention to what I am thinking and feeling, and not just intellectually or emotionally but physically and spiritually, too. The more I’m able to acknowledge what I’m experiencing the sooner I can do something to prevent a potential meltdown. The modality I employ to restore my equilibrium depends on what my particular need is at the time. For example, if I’m feeling stressed and anxious I will probably meditate more frequently, and if I’m feeling spiritually bereft I find Lectio Divina a particularly helpful practice for bringing me back into closer communion with God. Overall, being in nature gives me a profound sense of being grounded and connected to the Fullness of Life so I’m mindful of seeking opportunities to immerse myself in the beauty of creation as much as possible. Somehow, I never feel alone when contemplating nature.

For the university’s profile on Patrice as President’s Medallion recipient, go here.

Congratulations, Patrice, on this special honor.  Thank you for embodying the IPS spirit of creative, compassionate, and courageous service to church and society.

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If you want to reach out to Patrice, you can email her at pnerone@luc.edu.
To learn more about IPS, go to https://www.luc.edu/ips/.
For those interested in applying to IPS, go to https://gpem.luc.edu/apply/.
11-20-2018 | Comments Off on IPS Student Patrice Nerone Awarded 2018 President’s Medallion

IPS co-hosts “Integrity and Accountability in the Catholic Church”

Close to 90 people gathered at Regents Hall in Lewis Towers or joined in online this past October 11th to participate in a panel-led discussion on “Integrity and Accountability in the Catholic Church”.

IPS Dean Schmisek noted, “Many attendees engaged in a meaningful way with the panelists, who offered insightful analysis and thought-provoking comments. One of the participants said it felt as though the panelists were offering ‘ministry’ to those in the audience.”

The evening was a culmination of a joint effort from IPS, Dr. Murphy and the Hank Center, and Jocelyn Cheng from Alumni Relations.  Rebecca Weller was also on hand as a resource and advocate.

To view photos from the evening, go to: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmpmKV9s.

To view video of the evening, go to: https://bit.ly/2NL81Wr.

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Below are Dean Schmisek’s opening remarks:

Welcome to Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus. My name is Dr. Brian Schmisek, Dean of the Institute of Pastoral Studies here. On behalf of our Institute and Dr. Michael Murphy, Director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage, tonight’s co-sponsor of the event with us, I thank you for being here.
Welcome to Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus. My name is Dr. Brian Schmisek, Dean of the Institute of Pastoral Studies here. On behalf of our Institute and Dr. Michael Murphy, Director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage, tonight’s co-sponsor of the event with us, I thank you for being here.
We have assembled a distinguished panel to discuss the topic “Integrity and Accountability in the Catholic Church.” With more and more revelations forthcoming in the news, we consider it part of our mission and duty as a Jesuit Catholic University to provide this forum in an academic setting.
Let me say at the outset that we will be discussing some sensitive topics. With statistics telling us that one in three women and one in six men will have experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime,  it is likely that there are some here tonight who have had this happen to them. This is a tragedy and our sympathies go out to you.
We also have with us tonight Rebecca Weller, an advocate who can provide support and resources for anyone that feels upset or triggered by the subject matter. Rebecca also has literature and other handouts available.
I should also mention that this event is being live-cast and recorded. If you have a comment or question for our panel, but are not comfortable being on camera you can wait until after we conclude at 8:30 to come up and ask your question or make your comment.
So with that, let me introduce our panel. Each will speak for about 10-15 minutes from their own perspective. After each has spoken, I’ll moderate the discussion, and Dr. Murphy will have a roving microphone. We will conclude at 8:30.
Justice Anne Burke has served on the Illinois Supreme Court since 2006. Before that, she served as a Justice on the Illinois Court of Appeals since 1995. She is a founder of the Special Olympics in 1968. She also was one of the first members appointed to the National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People and served on that board from 2002 – 2004.
Dr. Rick Gaillardetz is The Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology and Chair of the Department of Theology at Boston College. He served as president of the Catholic Theological Society of America in 2013-14, the largest professional association of Catholic theologians in the world with over 1400 members. He is a noted expert on ecclesiology and his books include a revised and expanded edition of By What Authority? Foundations for Understanding Authority in the Church, published by Liturgical Press this year.
Dr. Jennifer Haselberger holds a Ph.D. from the University of London in England, and a licentiate in canon law from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. She served as the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul until April of 2013, when she resigned in protest of the Archdiocese’s handling of sexual misconduct by clergy. That same year she was selected as the Person of the Year, by the National Catholic Reporter. The following year she received the Michael J. Ehrlichmann Public Service Award from the Minnesota Association of Justice and the Trivison Award for demonstrating visionary leadership in the Catholic Church.
We are so pleased to have these distinguished panelists here to share their thoughts.

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To learn more about IPS, go to https://www.luc.edu/ips/.
For those interested in applying to IPS, go to https://gpem.luc.edu/apply/.
10-18-2018 | Comments Off on IPS co-hosts “Integrity and Accountability in the Catholic Church”

IPS Launches Spiritual Formation Webpage

IPS is proud to announce the launch of the IPS Spiritual Formation webpage.

This webpage offers IPS students opportunities for growth in personal faith, emotional maturity, moral integrity and public witness.  It also provides opportunities to interact with and reflect on their experiences with fellow students.

When asked about the importance of formation for IPS students, Coordinator of Formation Carol Taliaferro says, “formation is a lifelong process that addresses our personal relationship with God and helps us to discern with others our mission as disciples of Christ.”

The webpage will be updated to include information on small reflection groups, retreats, service opportunities, spiritual directors, pastoral counselors, special events, worship sites, etc.

Click on the below for upcoming LUC events relevant for Spiritual Formation:

Ignatian Silent Retreat
C.C.C.
MSA Sister’s Retreat 2018-19
MSA Brother’s Retreat 2018-19
Women’s Retreat
The Busy Student Retreat
Alternative Break Immersion
Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice

Click here for Off-Campus Worship Sites

For more information, go to the formation webpage.  Consult with Carol Taliaferro at ctaliaferro1@luc.edu to see if funding may be available to cover full or partial costs of activities and services.

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To learn more about IPS, go to https://www.luc.edu/ips/.
For those interested in applying to IPS, go to https://gpem.luc.edu/apply/.
10-04-2018 | Comments Off on IPS Launches Spiritual Formation Webpage

Photos from April 5th IPS Alumni-Students Networking Event

On April 5th, IPS and Loyola Alumni Relations co-sponsored a networking event that featured the following speakers who presented on the topic “Ministry in a Dynamic World: Finding Focus, Activating Energy, & Nurturing Gifts”.

  • Deirdre Long, IPS Alumna 2015, Marketing Coordinator, Loyola Press
  • Fr. Jason Malave, Cardinal’s Liaison for Renew My Church, Archdiocese of Chicago
  • Ann Ridge, IPS Alumna 2002, IPS Adjunct Instructor, and PhD candidate at The Chicago Theological Seminary
  • Keyalo Gray, MS Ed., Career Advisor, Loyola University Chicago

Close to 40 people participated in the event, including several who viewed our livestream via the IPS Facebook page.  Many thanks to Associate Dean and Assistant Clinical Professor Peter Jones for managing the livestream, undertaken to enhance the overall IPS experience of our online/distance students.  Finally, over 20 people supported the IPS Student Scholarship Fund.

We’d like to thank Deirdre, Fr. Jason, Ann, and Keyalo for sharing their time, talent and treasure with us that evening.

For photos of the retreat, click here.

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To learn more about IPS, go to https://www.luc.edu/ips/.    For those interested in applying to IPS, go to https://gpem.luc.edu/apply/.
4-11-2018 | Comments Off on Photos from April 5th IPS Alumni-Students Networking Event

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