About the Program

The Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago (CRPC) offers a two-year, part-time Advanced Certificate Program in Self Psychology and Religion, which is fully accredited by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC). Based on the Center’s integrative, MULTI-FAITH model, this program is designed for a variety of graduate and professional students.

Typically, students come to the Education Program as one or more of the following:

  • Graduate students, to complement the Doctor of Philosophy in Pastoral Theology, Personality and Culture, as well as the Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (G-ETS). This program provides the clinical training and much of the academic work required for students to sit for the state licensure exam for professional counselors.

  • As mental health professionals and/or clergy who are already practicing or intend to practice in the field of psychotherapy, pastoral counseling, psychoanalysis, or a related field.

  • Students “at-large,” who are completing graduate degrees in theology, pastoral care and counseling, ministry, etc., as well as clinical programs in counseling or social work. Such students come to CRPC for elective credit, but do not complete certificate program. To learn more about this option, click here.

Students often wish to develop a solid foundation in classical and contemporary psychoanalytic theory, along with a more nuanced understanding of the significance of religious and spiritual experience as they inform the therapeutic process and clinical space.

The two-year Education Program provides a brief background in Freudian psychoanalysis and Object Relations theory, which is followed by a focus on Self Psychology and an introduction to associated forms of contemporary psychoanalytic theory. In addition, the program examines religions from the perspective of comparative religion, the human sciences, theology, and theological critique.

Students in the two-year program will also complete a supervised practicum/internship component, totaling 700 hours for those seeking licensure; for those students who are not seeking licensure, but completing the two-year program toward the Certificate will complete 450 hours of a supervised internship. Students also have the option to complete a third-year fellowship.

To inquire about our Education Program or begin the process of enrollment, please send an email to: crpceducation@gmail.com.