Course Catalogue 2026-2027

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the foundational theories and practical applications of group therapy, with an emphasis on psychospiritual integration. Through a combination of theoretical study, practical group facilitation, and reflective writing, students will gain the skills necessary to effectively design, lead, and evaluate therapy groups.

Students will critically engage with the dynamics of group development, cultural and spiritual diversity, and the challenges posed by various group member behaviors. Assignments include active class participation, reflective and integration papers, as well as collaborative group design, didactics, and group facilitation, fostering both Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS) and psychospiritual growth.

By synthesizing theoretical concepts with hands-on practice, students will emerge prepared to design and lead meaningful, structured therapy groups that address diverse needs while integrating spiritual and theological dimensions into their practice.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the foundational theories and practical applications of group therapy, with an emphasis on psychospiritual integration. Through a combination of theoretical study, practical group facilitation, and reflective writing, students will gain the skills necessary to effectively design, lead, and evaluate therapy groups.

Students will critically engage with the dynamics of group development, cultural and spiritual diversity, and the challenges posed by various group member behaviors. Assignments include active class participation, reflective and integration papers, as well as collaborative group design, didactics, and group facilitation, fostering both Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS) and psychospiritual growth.

By synthesizing theoretical concepts with hands-on practice, students will emerge prepared to design and lead meaningful, structured therapy groups that address diverse needs while integrating spiritual and theological dimensions into their practice.

This course will explore five theoretical modalities in pastoral counselling and marriage and family therapy: Family Systems (Bowen), Attachment Theory, Relational Self Psychology, Solution Focuses Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. Consideration will be given to spiritual themes implicit in each theoretical modality, and the course will include the use of case studies and therapy demonstrations. This course will be of interest to students preparing for registration in the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, and/or working to fulfill the requirements to be certified as Registered Marriage and Family Therapists. Evaluation: Book Reflections 40%, Final Assignment 40%, Participation 20%

This course will explore five theoretical modalities in pastoral counselling and marriage and family therapy: Family Systems (Bowen), Attachment Theory, Relational Self Psychology, Solution Focuses Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. Consideration will be given to spiritual themes implicit in each theoretical modality, and the course will include the use of case studies and therapy demonstrations.

This course will explore five theoretical modalities in pastoral counselling and marriage and family therapy: Family Systems (Bowen), Attachment Theory, Relational Self Psychology, Solution Focuses Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. Consideration will be given to spiritual themes implicit in each theoretical modality, and the course will include the use of case studies and therapy demonstrations.

Mindfulness meditation has become the most widely-disseminated Buddhist-influenced clinical practice for a wide range of mental and physical disorders. Practitioners of all religious-spiritual traditions (and beyond) have begun to incorporate mindfulness-based modalities and interventions to support healing and wellness for care seekers in a way that engages spiritual dimensions of being. This course will examine the theoretical and empirical basis of mindfulness-based interventions and applications in counselling, and where possible, chaplaincy and pastoral care. The course will focus specifically on Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The components of each approach will be described, underlying model of clinical change specified, relevant applications illustrated, and empirical outcomes summarized.

This course examines mindfulness modalities for spiritual care and spiritually-integrated psychotherapy. Mindfulness-based modalities have become one of the most widely disseminated clinical practice for a wide range of mental and physical concerns. Practitioners of all religious-spiritual traditions have begun to incorporate mindfulness modalities and interventions to support healing and wellness for care seekers in a way that engages spiritual dimensions of being. This course will examine the theoretical and empirical basis of mindfulness modalities and their applications in spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, spiritual care and chaplaincy. The course will first contextualize mindfulness practice and them focus on four central mindfulness-based modalities: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Components of each approach will be described, underlying model of clinical change specified, relevant applications illustrated, and empirical outcomes summarized.

This course examines mindfulness modalities for spiritual care and spiritually-integrated psychotherapy. Mindfulness-based modalities have become one of the most widely disseminated clinical practice for a wide range of mental and physical concerns. Practitioners of all religious-spiritual traditions have begun to incorporate mindfulness modalities and interventions to support healing and wellness for care seekers in a way that engages spiritual dimensions of being. This course will examine the theoretical and empirical basis of mindfulness modalities and their applications in spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, spiritual care and chaplaincy. The course will first contextualize mindfulness practice and them focus on four central mindfulness-based modalities: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Components of each approach will be described, underlying model of clinical change specified, relevant applications illustrated, and empirical outcomes summarized.

This course examines mindfulness modalities for spiritual care and spiritually-integrated psychotherapy. Mindfulness-based modalities have become one of the most widely disseminated clinical practice for a wide range of mental and physical concerns. Practitioners of all religious-spiritual traditions have begun to incorporate mindfulness modalities and interventions to support healing and wellness for care seekers in a way that engages spiritual dimensions of being. This course will examine the theoretical and empirical basis of mindfulness modalities and their applications in spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, spiritual care and chaplaincy. The course will first contextualize mindfulness practice and them focus on four central mindfulness-based modalities: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Components of each approach will be described, underlying model of clinical change specified, relevant applications illustrated, and empirical outcomes summarized.

Mindfulness meditation has become the most widely-disseminated Buddhist-influenced clinical practice for a wide range of mental and physical disorders. Practitioners of all religious-spiritual traditions (and beyond) have begun to incorporate mindfulness-based modalities and interventions to support healing and wellness for care seekers in a way that engages spiritual dimensions of being. This course will examine the theoretical and empirical basis of mindfulness-based interventions and applications in counselling, and where possible, chaplaincy and pastoral care. The course will focus specifically on Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The components of each approach will be described, underlying model of clinical change specified, relevant applications illustrated, and empirical outcomes summarized.

Mindfulness meditation has become the most widely-disseminated Buddhist-influenced clinical practice for a wide range of mental and physical disorders. Practitioners of all religious-spiritual traditions (and beyond) have begun to incorporate mindfulness-based modalities and interventions to support healing and wellness for care seekers in a way that engages spiritual dimensions of being. This course will examine the theoretical and empirical basis of mindfulness-based interventions and applications in counselling, and where possible, chaplaincy and pastoral care. The course will focus specifically on Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The components of each approach will be described, underlying model of clinical change specified, relevant applications illustrated, and empirical outcomes summarized.

This course explores the history and identity of what is historically called the care of souls, and currently is practiced in spiritual care in hospitals and other health care institutions, prisons, chaplaincy, and congregations. The first half of the course explores a series of "snapshots" of the historical foundations and classic texts from the Christian tradition, including Biblical warrants and early church practices, self-reflexivity, the rise of religious institutions of care, Roman Catholic sacramental vs Protestant life-support approaches, social gospel vs. clinical trajectories, clerical vs. lay participation, and correlation of theories and practices of faith traditions with those of the human sciences. The second half of the course explores contemporary issues in the care of souls in the Canadian context, including challenges from narrative, postmodern, postcolonial, ecumenical, interfaith, and institutional perspectives, based on the particular interests of students in the class.