Where Psyche and Soul Meet: The Enduring Legacy of the CTS Spirituality and Psychotherapy Conference

After almost 30 years, the Spirituality and Psychotherapy Conference continues to bring top tier speakers to Christian Theological Seminary to explore both psyche/mind and soul/spirit as they contribute to health and wholeness, each acknowledging the strengths of the other.  

Felicity Kelcourse, Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Psychology of Religion at CTS, brainstormed the idea for this annual conference after being on the campus for three years. She noticed the sustained connections available to ministry graduates and reflected on whether the lack of a comparable offering for counseling alumni influenced how they continued their relationship with the school. 

“I was new to Indiana (from New York) and was afraid I was missing out on all the new techniques, so I thought why not try to bring them to Indiana,” Kelcourse said.  

And so began the tradition of the two-day conference model that continues each Spring. Kelcourse said that in the early years it helped define how a strong counseling program fit into a seminary. Most training schools deemphasized religious topics in therapy but over time that has changed.  

“Each approach has equal respect and concern for each person,” Kelcourse stated. From the clinical side, she said the emphasis is on what is happening for the client and what can help them heal while from the spiritual dimension, the focus is on helping them see what they were created for in life.”  

Over time, Kelcourse stated that the therapy side has begun to embrace spirituality as a part of the whole person and, as such, does need room for exploration in the counseling space. She appreciates how the counseling programs at CTS encourage students to explore the interaction of psyche and soul for themselves before beginning clinical practice.  

Kelcourse believes that both the counseling and spiritual dimensions have the same outcome – to heal the world. “But they each have something distinctive to offer. I believe healed people, heal people.”  

Over the years, the Spirituality and Psychotherapy Conference has hosted a variety of diverse speakers. Kelcourse reflected that this has included expertise in psychoanalytic theory, Jungian approaches, Pastoral Psychotherapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, Eco-Spirituality and more recently Internal Family Systems. Past presenters have also included diversity in faith and ethnicity.  

Dr. Suzanne Coyle, the Lois and Dale Bright Professor in Christian Ministries, Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy, Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, is the facilitator of this year’s conference (alternating annually with Kelcourse). She said she seeks experts in relational-systematic approaches that recognize the spiritual component that exists in all relationships.  

This year’s presenter, Froma Walsh, PhD, is Professor Emeritus, Crown School and Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago and Co-Founder/Co-Director at the Chicago Center for Family Health. She will be leading the discussion of Spirituality and Resilience: Strengthening Relational Bonds through Challenging Times. The conference will be held on Friday, March 6 – Saturday, March 7.  

“She is a pre-eminent speaker on family therapy,” Coyle said, adding that Walsh’s book, Spiritual Resources in Family Therapy, is considered a classic text and used in many of CTS’s therapy courses.  

Walsh is an international speaker and author who emphasizes a collaborative, systematic approach in her clinical work that integrated developmental, relational, social, and cultural-spiritual perspectives. Coyle said that having a two-session structure to the conference benefits a range of audience members. She said that the Friday night session is open to the public and accessible to anyone who is struggling in our current social climate. The Saturday session is more clinical in nature and directed to practitioners.  

Kelcourse added that she sees the primary audience as CTS counseling alumni who are seeking required continuing education hours. “I love that our alums get to rub shoulders with others in this field,” she added. “It’s a great networking experience.”  

The Spirituality and Psychotherapy Conference continues to be a place of learning, renewal, and connection for counseling professionals and the wider community. We hope you will join us for this meaningful gathering. Registration is now open.