Course Catalogue 2026-2027

For over thirty years, "Nothing about us without us" has been the cry of resistance from disability activists worldwide, yet disabled, neurodivergent and mentally ill people are rarely consulted or collaborated with regarding the policies, treatments and caregiving that will directly affect their bodyminds. This has led to ableist, neurotypical, and "sanist" theories and practices being normalized within the fields of medicine, psychiatry, theology, and psychotherapy. Whether or not a psychotherapist or faith leader is disabled, neurodivergent, or living with mental distress themselves, they are still often trained in models of psychotherapeutic and spiritual care that arise from and/or replicate ableist and neurotypical cultural norms to varying degrees of damage for disabled and neurodivergent individuals. This course engages with "mad" and "crip" frameworks to interrogate ableist, neurotypical, and sanist theories and practices, and to equip psychotherapists and spiritual care providers to provide treatment for disabled, neurodivergent, and mentally ill clients in more culturally appropriate ways. It also equips spiritual caregivers who may have internalized ableism and neurotypical normalizing tendencies to move deeper into their own self-understanding for this work. The course will invite those with lived experience of disability, neurodiversity and mental distress to apply their lived experience, learn to maintain appropriate boundaries and engage Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS).

Inspiring and profound are terms often attributed to the theology of von Balthasar. Benedict XVI said of his work, "His theological reflection maintains intact, to this day, a profound timeliness and leads many to penetrate ever more into the profundity of the mystery of faith". This course begins an exploration of his work. There is consideration of the Trilogy: Herrlichkeit, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic; the influence of Ignatius Loyola and Adrienne von Speyr; and the place of Mary. Not a course for the faint-hearted, von Balthasar's work is at times dense and complex but the rewards are beyond price.

This course explores the theoretical and practical intersection of Buddhist theology and praxis, and spiritually integrated psychotherapeutic practice. Designed for students committed to both their spiritual path and professional development as healing practitioners, this course provides the theoretical foundations and practical skills necessary for Buddhist-informed psychotherapy and counselling. The course is organized into four integrated parts: Part One establishes cross-cultural dialogue between Buddhist psychology and Western psychotherapy, examining the Abhidhamma's sophisticated analysis of mental states and emotions, and exploring Yogācāra teachings on consciousness (ālayavijñāna) as they relate to therapeutic understanding. Part Two introduces Kin Cheung Lee's practical "Note, Know, Choose" intervention model for Buddhist counseling, complemented by deep engagement with popular Buddhist spiritual transformation narratives (The Life of Milarepa or Monkey: Journey to the West) as vehicles for understanding the therapeutic journey. Part Three addresses the practitioner's own development, exploring how Buddhist understandings of 'self' and 'non-self' inform the therapeutic relationship and shape skillful responses to transference and countertransference. Part Four focuses on clinical applications, including working with emotions from a Buddhist perspective, integrating sacred texts like the Metta Sutta into practice, and understanding the healing dimensions of repentance, faith, and devotion. By course completion, students will possess a robust framework for Buddhist spiritually integrated therapy and the self-awareness necessary for ethical, compassionate practice.

Each Clinical Practicum (A and B) provides students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skill necessary for providing competent spiritually integrated psychotherapy. Course B builds on course A. The course explores both theoretical and applied aspects of Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE). It is located at the intersection of the theology of caring, grief and loss, and social sciences. The course emphasizes multidimensional assessments and teaches interventions that are spiritual, therapeutic, supportive, and/or educational. Professional identity and professional ethics as well as the place of spiritual care and counselling in Canada are also examined. The course highlights significant aspects of the theologies of psycho-spiritual care and therapy.

The concept of Mission is prominent and ever-present in the contemporary church, but there remains considerable confusion surrounding the theology and practice of Christian witness. Painful awareness of the legacy of colonialism leaves many mainline churches uncomfortable with the concept of mission, for fear of 'imposing' their worldview on others. The course examines contemporary models and movements of mission from "planting," "Fresh Expressions," and "Liquid Church," to "social outreach" and "faith-based community organizing". Attention will be give to theologies of mission, missional literature, and to particular local mission projects in their ecclesial contexts. Students will be equipped to formulate their own theology of mission and to become familiar with distinct practical models of mission. These discussions will all be with a view to working to understand and shape the future course of the church.

This course will offer a foundational introduction to the realities of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue within the Catholic Church. The theology and principles of interreligious dialogue will be considered in relation to Biblical, Patristic, and modern sources. Attention will be given to the foundations and history of Catholic ecumenical engagement, the nature and work of dialogue, models and levels of ecumenical work. Both historical and contemporary dimensions will be considered, and special focus will be given to the Catholic Church’s magisterial documents in these areas.

This course will offer a foundational introduction to the realities of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue within the Catholic Church. The theology and principles of interreligious dialogue will be considered in relation to Biblical, Patristic, and modern sources. Attention will be given to the foundations and history of Catholic ecumenical engagement, the nature and work of dialogue, models and levels of ecumenical work. Both historical and contemporary dimensions will be considered, and special focus will be given to the Catholic Church’s magisterial documents in these areas.

This course will offer a foundational introduction to the realities of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue within the Catholic Church. The theology and principles of interreligious dialogue will be considered in relation to Biblical, Patristic, and modern sources. Attention will be given to the foundations and history of Catholic ecumenical engagement, the nature and work of dialogue, models and levels of ecumenical work. Both historical and contemporary dimensions will be considered, and special focus will be given to the Catholic Church’s magisterial documents in these areas.

This course explores the intersection of race and theology in contemporary society, focusing on the Canadian context in particular, but will reference to other global contexts as comparative cases. Attention will be given to analyses which suggest that Christian theology and colonialism are deeply implicated in the invention of the concept of race, as well as critiques of ways in which theology has served to discourage genuine communion between peoples of difference. Although race and ethnicity, including indigenous identities, will be the focus of the course, broader attention to issues of diversity and particularity will also be explored, including ways in which people with disabilities are marginalized by churches and society. The potential for theology and churches to support anti-racism and the embrace of diversity will be explored, as well as major obstacles to these achievements.

This course explores the intersection of race and theology in contemporary society, focusing on the Canadian context in particular, but will reference to other global contexts as comparative cases. Attention will be given to analyses which suggest that Christian theology and colonialism are deeply implicated in the invention of the concept of race, as well as critiques of ways in which theology has served to discourage genuine communion between peoples of difference. Although race and ethnicity, including indigenous identities, will be the focus of the course, broader attention to issues of diversity and particularity will also be explored, including ways in which people with disabilities are marginalized by churches and society. The potential for theology and churches to support anti-racism and the embrace of diversity will be explored, as well as major obstacles to these achievements.

Using the writings of Thomas Berry & theologians who work with the new cosmology, the course provides an introduction to eco-theology as well as the ways eco-theologians are articulating new understandings of theological anthropology, revelation, Christology, pneumatology, sin and salvation, and eschatology.

Using the writings of Thomas Berry & theologians who work with the new cosmology, the course provides an introduction to eco-theology as well as the ways eco-theologians are articulating new understandings of theological anthropology, revelation, Christology, pneumatology, sin and salvation, and eschatology.