What is clinical pastoral education?

Clinical pastoral education (CPE) is an action-reflection process of education.

It provides opportunities for supervised pastoral encounters with people in a variety of circumstances. Through intense involvement with people and the feedback from peers, mentors, supervisors and the people to whom pastoral practice is offered, CPE participants develop new awareness of their own humanity and the needs of those to whom they offer pastoral care. From theological reflection on specific human experiences, they gain new understanding of the human situation.

Participants within the health care setting have the opportunity to work alongside members of the interdisciplinary health team. Within this team pastoral care has its own unique contribution.

Through experiential learning focussed on the study of specific human experiences, CPE assists participants to acquire pastoral skills and develop their own pastoral identity through integration of their theology, practice and personality.

CPE seeks to:

• Attend to the human condition, particularly life's spiritual dimensions.
• Engages a reflection component which entails the exploration of the pastoral practice experience, the dynamics present, and the theological and spiritual dimensions. This action reflection process is integral to the participants understanding and the formation of their personal, professional and pastoral identity and competence.

CPE is accredited through ASACPEV Inc. according to the ASACPEV Standards.

Education dates

2024 and 2025

How to apply

Contact us

Clinical Pastoral Education

Manager

Andrew Harper

Phone: 03 9496 2908

Email: cpe@austin.org.au