Clinical Pastoral Education
May 29, 2007
Today I begin a 10 week program called Clinical Pastoral Education, otherwise known as CPE. One year ago, I was very excited about the experience; I had just completed a Pastoral Care course with Deborah Hunsinger, and I was looking forward to seeing how pastoral care actually worked. Last night I googled “clinical pastoral education” and found the above photo: two people drawing and creating art.
Great, CPE shouldn’t be too hard then.
Sure. Anyone who has gone through CPE either knows the challenges first hand or have heard others’ CPE stories. I have no idea what to expect from my summer experience. I’ve heard both very positive and very negative things about my placement, but I’m prepared to begin today expecting a hard and challenging, but rewarding, experience. I can only hope that is the case. Because…the fact of the matter is I don’t talk about my “feelings” very well. Generally when asked a “feeling” question, I respond with, “Well, I think I feel…” I’ve been told again and again to stop right there. “I don’t want to know what you think you’re feeling, tell me what you’re feeling. Connect with your feelings.”
Yes, I am very excited for this…
Again, I don’t know exactly what my duties will be this summer, but as someone who is part of a CPE team, I’ll be acting as a Chaplain in a large university hospital - doing 24hr on-call evenings at the hospital among many other things. I will write more, if I’m able, about what will be required and some of my reflections about the experience. Until then - if you’ve done CPE, or if you know people who have, please be thinking about me from now until August 10th.
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Tags: Clinical-Pastoral-Education, CPE
Posted in 
Adam Walker Cleaveland: I am a 28 yr old 
May 29th, 2007 at 11:34 am
good luck. i did cpe last summer and it was a tough, but good, experience.
May 29th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Thinking about you and CPE today. Hope it’s a piece of cake.
May 29th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
how did it go? i was praying. i don’t know if you know this, but ‘real live preacher’s” wife is a hospital chaplain - i bet she would let you pick her brain - she blogs (sporadically) here:
Sum of the Parts
May 29th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
I totally enjoyed my CPE experience. I kept waiting for it to get bad, but it never did. I hope your experience is one that will push you and help you to grow in a positive manner.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
I just finished an extended unit 1 of CPE (5 months) and it’s intense. It feels like a low grade fever, but the process and growth is worth it. I found my group to be the most challenging aspect of my particular experience. Looking forward to reading your reflections!
May 31st, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Hey Adam, I’m not accostumed to writing on blogs. I simply want to wish you
a great summer. I’ve had positive CPE experiences–2 years of it! I think I may
only very casually know of your male supervisor. Let me know what is your
floor assignment/units/what area you’ll be working with in particular. We just had
6 seminarians arrive on Tuesday to start their 10 or 11 week stint with us. I’ve
not had a chance to interact much. Worked with one man on documenting our
visits. They will be shadowing staff on making visits tomorrow and this wkend.
Congratulations to you and Sarah on your first anniversary. Made me homesick to
see your pictures–looks like you had a lovely day. Well, I want to go out for
a walk. I’m thinking of you in CPE! I hope you enjoy it! Tu Tia Beth
May 31st, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Sorry, forgot to say that I like your apartment and would like to see you guys
living there–in person. Enjoy the start of your 2nd year together! Beth
September 10th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Where are Clinical Pastoral Education courses offered? I live in the B.C. interior, so I will have to leave here to go in residence for the three months of the course. My Bishop reccommends I take this course as an addenda to my seminary education, which I received years ago…
I have been online searching and can find no courses offered. I am heartened to hear you discuss your experiences and obviously you are either attending or have attended a course.
Eagerly anticipating your replies, please send them directly to my email, lavinnderm@yahoo.com with the heading CPE
thanks again
November 8th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Hello Adam. I hope your CPE tarining went well. I am considering utilizing my MDIV degree for CPE. It has been 20 years since I was in seminary, but circumstances have it such that I am looking at a new career now. I have no denominational endorsement. I suppose I may find one, through a local church, if these studies go well.
blessings
Walt