Course Catalogue 2024-2025

This course will introduce central theoretical concepts in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and their importance in effective clinical work. An underlying premise of the course is that therapeutic action occurs within the relationship between therapist and patient, two individuals who struggle together to reclaim and deepen their shared humanity. While theory is essential to the task of providing responsible clinical care, it is understood that it always follows deeply attentive, empathic observation, not only of the patient, but of the psychodynamic processes that occur between the therapist and patient. Theory helps to ‘hold’ and ‘contain’ the therapist as she enters the unique, often strange and at times disturbing inner world of the person who seeks her help. Theory must always be held lightly while it is actively operative in the mind of the therapist as he navigates his way through the world that emerges within the analytic setting. A solid grounding in psychodynamic theory helps the therapist maintain a calm receptivity to the patient in the midst of unknowing, which most often characterizes the immediacy of clinical work. It also helps the therapist cultivate and sustain a reflective use of herself that establishes a safe and supportive professional framework that holds and protects both parties in the clinical dyad.

Postmodern-Constructivism continues to exert a powerful beneficial effect in the world of psychotherapy assessment and treatment by challenging traditional, modernist models of care. This intensive survey course is inspired by postmodern philosophical perspectives (J. Derrida, M. Foucault), Personal Construct Psychology (G. Kelly), and Social Constructivism (K. Gergen). We will examine and compare the major postmodern perspectives from the standpoint of integrative psychological and spiritual care, with introductory exposure to Narrative Therapy (M. White, D. Epston); Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (S. de Shazer, I. Kim Berg); Collaborative Language Systems Therapy (H. Goolishian, H. Anderson); Meaning-Based Therapies (V. Frankl, T. Wong); Strengths-Based Therapies (M. Seligman, Y. J. Wong); Constructivist Ethics (J. Guterman, J. Raskin); and Integrative Models (B. Zinnbauer, K. Pargament).

This entry-level-to-practice, interdisciplinary course will examine the phenomenology of trauma as it impinges on human beings (individuals, families, cultural groups) from a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of care. Special consideration given to contemporary, evidence-based treatments from a range social science disciplines, as well a credible intervention practices from religious and spiritual traditions- such as mindfulness, hoping-building, meaning-making, and forgiveness protocols- and their potential roles in healing of both direct and vicarious forms of trauma. The following major areas will be explored: 1) Trauma in Childhood, Adolescence, and the Family; 2) Trauma and Disrupted Attachment Relationships; 3) Trauma as Health Crisis {Physical and Mental); 4} Trauma and Women; 5) Trauma as Socio-Historical Events, such as: a) Natural Disasters, b) Terrorism and War Conflicts; c) Cultural Genocide, Religious Persecution and Refugees, d) Cultural Oppression and Victimization of First Nations Peoples; 6) Trauma and Resiliency. Throughout the course will be the pervasive themes of the self-care of the clinician, and the fostering of client resource through spiritual, family and community resources, leading to healing and posttraumatic growth

This course is a study of the interaction of psychology and religion in mental health: well-being, disorder, and adjustment. It will discuss the psychoneurological, psychological, social and faith dynamics in the development and maintenance of well-being and of psychopathology. Its focus, therefore, will be psychology and religion's contribution and interaction in both disorder and health.

The course will begin with a discussion of the relationship between psychology and religion. It will then explore the relationship between religion and psychology -- history, methodology, research and application. It will review psychological theories and research on personality and their relationship to spirituality, religious behaviour, individual differences and abnormality, and review research on religious development. These findings will then be applied within the context of the social and organizational psychology of the church.

A treatment of the biography of Augustine as Latin speaking African in a commercial family in late fourth century Western Roman Empire. His selective academic brilliance and despising of the Christianity of his family and the emerging imperial cult. His successful promotion to a high position in the imperial household through pagan patronage. His consideration of and adherence to various philosophical positions in opposition to Catholic Christianity. The collapse of this anti-Catholic rhetoric and retirement from the public sphere. His recruitment by the African church and his prolonged leadership in addressing the challenges of obstacles to a Catholic system. The literature that emerged from these controversies, and his church correspondence and sermons.

A treatment of the biography of Augustine as Latin speaking African in a commercial family in late fourth century Western Roman Empire. His selective academic brilliance and despising of the Christianity of his family and the emerging imperial cult. His successful promotion to a high position in the imperial household through pagan patronage. His consideration of and adherence to various philosophical positions in opposition to Catholic Christianity. The collapse of this anti-Catholic rhetoric and retirement from the public sphere. His recruitment by the African church and his prolonged leadership in addressing the challenges of obstacles to a Catholic system. The literature that emerged from these controversies, and his church correspondence and sermons.

Postmodern-Constructivism continues to exert a powerful beneficial effect in the world of psychotherapy assessment and treatment by challenging traditional, modernist models of care. This intensive survey course is inspired by postmodern philosophical perspectives (J. Derrida, M. Foucault), Personal Construct Psychology (G. Kelly), and Social Constructivism (K. Gergen). We will examine and compare the major postmodern perspectives from the standpoint of integrative psychological and spiritual care, with introductory exposure to Narrative Therapy (M. White, D. Epston); Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (S. de Shazer, I. Kim Berg); Collaborative Language Systems Therapy (H. Goolishian, H. Anderson); Meaning-Based Therapies (V. Frankl, T. Wong); Strengths-Based Therapies (M. Seligman, Y. J. Wong); Constructivist Ethics (J. Guterman, J. Raskin); and Integrative Models (B. Zinnbauer, K. Pargament).

This interdisciplinary course will introduce core ethical issues which impact psychotherapists, spiritual care practitioners, and family therapists working in a variety of private and institutional settings. Codes of Ethics and Professional Practice Standards from the major regulating bodies will be examined and compared, including the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC), and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). Essential components of the course will include theological and scriptural reflection on ethical themes and the application of one model of ethical decision-making to real-life case studies in order to develop students' ability to initiate effective clinical interventions in complex ethical dilemmas.

Whether working with individuals, couples, or whole families, exposure to family systems theory and therapeutic interventions are an invaluable part of formation for the psychotherapy professional. This entry-level-to-practice, integrative course will examine and compare these theories from a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of care, with introductory exposure to Cultural Diversity in Marriage and Family Therapy, Intergenerational Aspects (Bowen); Attachment Theory & Emotionally-Focused Therapy (Bowlby, Johnson); Contextual Perspectives (Boszormenyl-Nagy); Internal Family Systems (Schwartz), Structural Therapy (Mlnuchin), Human Validation Process Model {Satir), Solution-Focused Narrative Family Therapy (White, Epston), as well as the topic Divorce and Sacred Loss.

Theology of grace in representative Anglican theologians, including Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker, the Caroline Divines, the Tractarians, F.D. Maurice, Lux Mundi and William Temple.

What do zombies and the Bible have in common? They both have to do with the end of the world, of course! We will compare zombies in today’s popular culture with apocalyptic texts in the Bible (and some not in the Bible) in their ancient contexts. The goal of the course is to recognize the apocalyptic worldview behind various texts in Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity and the continuing influence of that worldview to the present day, especially as it manifests in zombie imagery. Through this recognition we will wrestle with apocalyptic and zombie-related themes that are relevant today. By exploring imagery, genre, form, function and context (in all the gory details), we will discover common threads related to symbol, human identity, death, fear, hope and meaning-making.