The aim of this module is to help CASC/ACSS Members to understand and appreciate how the CASC/ACSS Code of Ethics matters and supports them in their professional practice. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and dialogue with one another about the challenges and the significance of applying the Code in their work, as well as to discuss troubling cases and learning how to apply the Code to those cases. This module fulfills the requirement for Peer Review.

Facilitators for the EEM:

Brenda Haggett

Chris Salstrom, BA, MDiv, DMin, CSCP

Chris received her Doctor of Ministry in June 2021 from the University of Saskatchewan, St. Andrew’s College. She graduated in 2013 with a Master of Divinity from the University of Winnipeg. Chris successfully completed the CASC/ACSS Certification as a Spiritual Care Practitioner April 2016. Additionally, she completed training in Rieke Level II (certified March 2016), Dignity Therapy Training (completed June 2015), Toastmasters International (designated CTM and ATM-B).

Working as a Spiritual Heath Practitioner from September 2014 to present, Chris has served in a variety of acute and long-term care hospitals in Winnipeg. Along with completing additional education, certifications, and employment in the field of Spiritual Health Care, Chris has volunteered extensively for the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care.  Additional volunteer experiences include five years with the Cancer Society of Canada, two years with Multiple Sclerosis – Manitoba Chapter, seven years with the Society of Management Accountants-Manitoba and seventeen months with Riverview Health Centre. 

Chris has previous education in Business Administration from Red River Community College in 1986, in Society of Management Accountants – Designated CMA in 1996, in Institute of Internal Auditors- Designated CIA in 2011, and in Association of Certified Fraud Examiners – Designated CFE in 2011.

Chris is the Regional Ethics Rep for Manitoba and sits on the National Ethics Commission. 

MA1- Part 1: How Do We Know What’s Right: What To Do When We Can’t Do It?

Workshop Description

Part 1 of this Special Workshop on moral distress and spiritual assessment will introduce some foundational concepts. First, we will discuss the concepts of moral distress and moral injury. Next, we will consider the meaning of values. Moral distress involves the compromising of one’s core values. We cannot recognize moral distress unless we understand the meaning and function of core values. We will identify and explore our core values using an interactive exercise. The moral factors, or sources of authority, that influence and shape our core values will be brainstormed. Lastly, we will consider some of the possible causes of moral distress in a healthcare context.

Tracy Trothen  

Dr. Tracy Trothen is Professor of ethics at Queen’s University, jointly appointed to the School of Religion and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy. She is a certified Supervisor-Educator in Clinical Spiritual Care (CASC), and an ordained minister in The United Church of Canada. Trothen is the author or editor of numerous articles and chapters, and nine books including her co-authored 2021 book, Religion and the Technological Future: An Introduction to Biohacking, A.I., and Transhumanism. She is a a social and biomedical ethicist who specializes in moral distress, enhancement ethics, sport, spirituality, and Christianity. Trothen co-chairs the American Academy of Religion’s (AAR) Artificial Intelligence Seminar and is a Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR).

MA2- Systemic Trauma and Type 2 Diabetes in Indigenous Peoples

Workshop Description

Indigenous people in Canada have an 80% lifetime risk of developing type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The underlying factors of this T2DM epidemic are seeded in historical and systemic trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples that resulted in dramatic changes in lifestyle and diet, accompanied by psychological devastation. Together, overtime, these ongoing factors have fueled the inflammatory processes of T2DM and diabetic complications. This workshop will help participants appreciate some of the physiological and psychological complexities facing Indigenous persons with T2DM.

Julia D. Rempel

Dr. Julia D. Rempel, Ph.D., BSc., received her Ph.D. from the Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Manitoba.  After a post-doctoral fellowship, she returned to operate a research program that studied liver disease and type 2 diabetes in Indigenous health.  In this capacity, she has published and presented a variety of topics including the politics of hepatitis C virus infection in Indigenous peoples, immune aggravation of type 2 diabetes and metabolic disease, mood disorders in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.  In addition, she produced research videos as way to talk to lay people about her program’s research findings findings; see https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=CE648B9696727432!121&authkey=!AJxzZtW3pM90&ithint=video%2cmp4.

This work was critical in her appreciation of the impact of trauma on health.  In pursuit of engaging with people in their trauma, Julia has been working toward chaplaincy.  To that end, she is currently taking a MA (Theology) with a focus on spiritual care. She completed the Clinical Pastoral Education (Basic Unit 1) at the Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg and is a volunteer for Palliative Manitoba.

MA3- Palliative and Bereavement Care Competencies: Next Steps For Advanced Specialization within CASC/ACSS

Workshop Description

Results of the research project, “Validating Competencies for Spiritual Care Professionals Specializing in Palliative and Bereavement Care in Canada” (2020) will be highlighted. Next steps will be the main focus of our workshop. Concrete options for moving forward with this advanced specialization will be presented. Participants will be asked for feedback on the options presented. The outcomes of this workshop will be shared with the Professional Practice Commission as recommendations on how to move forward with this new professional development initiative within CASC/ACSS.

Vivian Stang

Vivian Stang works at the Ottawa Hospital as a Spiritual Care Practitioner. As a Certified Supervisor-Educator she offers CPE units in person and by distance education. Vivian is a Clinical Investigator at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and grateful recipient of two CASC/ACSS Foundation grants for this project. She enjoys swimming and painting.

Peter Barnes D.Min., CCC, SEP

The Rev. Peter Barnes, is a graduate of Memorial University, Trinity College, and Acadia University, completing a Doctor of Ministry in Group Spiritual Direction. He is a Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner (SCP), a Certified Psycho-spiritual Therapist (PST), a Certified Supervisor-Educator (CSE) in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) by the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS); a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA); and a Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with the Somatic Experiencing Institute.
He’s facilitated CPE with Queen’s College, St. John’s, and with St. Paul University, Ottawa. He’s been the Coordinator of Bereavement Services, Eastern Health, Associate Professor in Spiritual Care, St. Paul University, Coordinator of Pastoral Education, The Ottawa Hospital, Manager of Pastoral Care, Waterford Hospital, and has worked as a clergy in Western Newfoundland. He’s a member of the Board of Directors of L’Arche Avalon, St. John’s. He’s a published author, presented numerous workshops, and he’s received several awards.
He enjoys visiting family and friends, hiking, cycling, snow-shoeing, writing and reading poetry, theatre, and retreat-time at his retreat at Anamcara NF, Cupids, NL. He’s starting a Private Practice in Counselling and Spiritual Guidance in St. John’s, NL.

Christine Enfield M.Div., Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner (CASC/ACSS)

Christine has been a program chaplain on the Tertiary Palliative Care Unit at the Grey Nuns Hospital for 8 years. The TPCU is a specialized unit providing expertise in pain control and symptom management and psychosocial spiritual support for palliative patients and their families. Christine’s interest is growing in the art and science of assessing and treating spiritual pain and considers being present with people on their journey an honour and privilege. She is a native Edmontonian and enjoys food culture, music, good conversation, and a good story.

MA4 – Peer Support: How To Create Your Resilient Compassion Action Plan

Workshop Description

This is an interactive experiential workshop providing education on: resilient compassion, peer support differentiated from professional support, and how to set up a personalized peer support action plan for ongoing renewal of resilient compassion. Come and create your healthcare strategy to navigate moral complexity in the delivery of healthcare services.

Adel Compton 

Rev. Adel Compton, BscN, MDiv, STM, Prairie Jubilee Associate

A leader in dual careers of nursing and ministry, Adel focuses on practical solutions-based approaches to prevent and address moral distress and moral injury with healthcare professionals.

A pioneer in Parish Nursing, Adel explored pastoral ministry as complementary support to holistic health care in intercultural urban and rural contexts in Saskatchewan. Experienced in cross-cultural nursing and ministry with moral distress and moral injury, she participates in peer supervision to support herself in spiritual direction.

Ordained in 1999 in the United Church of Canada, Adel served the North End Community Ministry as a minister with a peer cultural worker offering the “Two Paths One Journey” program respecting Indigenous and Christian teachings (2009-2013). Previously, Adel served the Meadow Lake ministry including co-editing The Collected Works of Florence Nightingale Vol.1 and Vol.3 with Lynn McDonald, University of Guelph (1999-20010). Adel also taught Ethics at St.Andrew’s College, Saskatoon.

In 2015 Adel received her Masters of Sacred Theology from the University of Winnipeg with her thesis: “ Renewed Spirit in Winnipeg’s Northend: an Emerging Aboriginal Young Adult Co-creative Leadership Model.” She served as the Regional Director of Spiritual Health Services for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, 2013-2018.

Currently, Adel offers spiritual direction 1:1 or with small groups online with a particular focus on “boomer” widows living alone and choosing joy and purpose beyond life-altering grief.

MA5 – Using the Forgiveness Interview Protocol (FIP) for the Healing of Moral Injury

During psychotherapy and spiritual care assessments clinicians may recognize that some of their traumatized clients may be wrestling with issues related to a lack of forgiveness linked to Moral Injury (MI). This workshop presents for Forgiveness Interview Protocol (FIP), a narrative therapy writing-process model for the treatment of Moral Injury, drawing up on the philosophical work of Margaret Holmgren: “Forgiveness and the Intrinsic Value of Persons” (1993) now linked to a variety of evidence-based psychological sources.

Workshop Description

Desmond Buhagar 

Desmond holds a PhD is Mental Health Counselling and Spiritual Care from Loyola University Maryland and is an Assistant Professor of Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care Education at Regis College at the University of Toronto. Desmond is a Jesuit priest in the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto and has been a member of the Society of Jesus for over twenty years. Desmond is Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in Ontario and a CASC Supervisor-Educator (PCE). Additionally, Desmond is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Maryland (DHMH) and a Clinical Fellow with the American and Canadian Associations for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT, CAMFT). Desmond teaches in the areas of Clinical Ethics, Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Postmodern-Constructivist Psychotherapies. His research interests are in the intersection of psychotherapy and spirituality in these areas. 

MB1- Part 2: Moral Distress as Soul Wound:  The Need For Spiritual Assessment and Intervention

(Note:  You must attend Part 1 to take Part two)

Description:

Part 2 The violation of core values often leads to spiritual distress. Moral injury and moral distress, especially if they are not addressed constructively, can persist and build up as moral residue, becoming soul wounds. Part 2 is focussed on spiritual assessment and moral distress. We will engage the Spiritual Assessment and Intervention Model (Spiritual AIM), developed by Michelle Shields. Participants will learn about Spiritual AIM and apply this spiritual assessment tool to moral distress cases related to the COVID-19 pandemic or Residential Schools. We will consider research findings that suggest additional ways to address moral distress as spiritual care professionals in a healthcare context.

Tracy Trothen 

Dr. Tracy Trothen is Professor of ethics at Queen’s University, jointly appointed to the School of Religion and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy. She is a certified Supervisor-Educator in Clinical Spiritual Care (CASC), and an ordained minister in The United Church of Canada. Trothen is the author or editor of numerous articles and chapters, and nine books including her co-authored 2021 book, Religion and the Technological Future: An Introduction to Biohacking, A.I., and Transhumanism. She is a a social and biomedical ethicist who specializes in moral distress, enhancement ethics, sport, spirituality, and Christianity. Trothen co-chairs the American Academy of Religion’s (AAR) Artificial Intelligence Seminar and is a Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR).

MB2 – Spiritual Care for Non-Communicative Patients

Workshop Description

Research shows that non-communicative patients benefit significantly from spiritual and pastoral care. Through interactive and experiential exercises, role-play and discussion, this workshop will help the spiritual care practitioner acquire skills and build confidence to provide excellent care in this challenging context when a patient is unable to self-advocate, when a patient’s dignity and fully-dimensional humanity is at risk because of being in a comatose state where the team may forget that hearing is still present.

Linda S. Golding , MA, BCC

Chaplain Linda S. Golding received her Masters Degree in Jewish Studies and the Certificate in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the Jewish Theological Seminary (NYC) in Spring 2013 and became a Board Certified Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains in 2014

Golding has served as Staff Chaplain at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center since 2010, caring for patients, family and staff throughout the adult and children’s hospital. She is the chaplain member of the hospital’s Ethics Committee and its Organ Donor Council and leads regular didactics for chaplains, nurses, doctors and medical students.

Named a member of the inaugural 2020-21 REACH fellowship program sponsored by NewYork-Presbyterian and ICAP under the aegis of the Dalio Center for Health Justice, Golding also leads the 2021 Luce Foundation funded program THE BODY KNOWS, a pilot to provide support to frontline hospital staff.

She is an adjunct professor in the Bioethics program at Columbia University where she teaches HOPE, MEANING AND CLINICAL ETHICS, at JTS (PASTORAL TORAH OF DYING AND DEATH), and upcoming at Union Theological Seminary (PROFESSIONAL ETHICS FOR SPIRITUAL CARE AND MINISTRY.)

Publications include SPIRITUAL CARE WITH NON-COMMUNICATIVE PATIENTS (Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2019) and “The Evolving Role of Hospital Chaplains at the End of Life” co-authored with The Reverend Martha R. Jacobs in OUR CHANGING JOURNEY TO THE END (Praeger/ABC-CLIO 2014).

MB3 – Using Deep Listening to Release Moral Distress

Workshop Description

To engage moral distress, people need to share the worst experiences of their lives without fearing they will be judged, evaluated, or diagnosed. Deep listening is a process of quieting the mind in order to connect to another heart-to-heart without judgment. Volunteers of America’s Resilience Strength Time, or VOA½ReST (www.voa.org/rest) was created to support VOA front line workers during the pandemic, but it has been expanded into other populations and opened to the public. In this workshop, trained peer facilitators will guide participants through a 45-minute online session of processing moral distress in small groups that begins with mindful breathing and a guided meditation, then moves into deep listening and sharing distress, concluding with short affirmations. The demonstration will be followed by time for reflections and discussion about the uses and limits of this strategy.

Rita Nakashima Brock

Rita Nakashima Brock is Senior Vice President and Director of the Shay Moral Injury Center at Volunteers of America, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. A noted theologian by training, she is a leading national expert on moral injury in combat veterans and has offered trainings for VA mental health providers, for professional chaplains, and for veterans and their families.

MB4 – Moral Distress of Spiritual Health Professionals due to Understaffing: Can Educating our Inter-professional Teams make a Difference?

Workshop Description

This presentation examines the effects of understaffing on Spiritual Health Professionals and shows the moral distress of injury it causes. It also examines the effects of communication and education of our Inter-Professional Teams as a means to reduce the effects of moral injury to promote healthier professionals, better quality of work-life, and better care for our clients.

Chris Salstrom, BA, MDiv, DMin, CSCP

Chris received her Doctor of Ministry in June 2021 from the University of Saskatchewan, St. Andrew’s College. She graduated in 2013 with a Master of Divinity from the University of Winnipeg. Chris successfully completed the CASC Specialist Certification April 2016. Additionally, she completed training in Rieke Level II (certified March 2016), Dignity Therapy Training (completed June 2015), Toastmasters International (designated CTM and ATM-B).

Working as a Spiritual Heath Practitioner from September 2014 to present, Chris has served in a variety of acute and long-term care hospitals in Winnipeg. Along with completing additional education, certifications, and employment in the field of Spiritual Health Care, Chris has volunteered extensively for the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care.  Additional volunteer experiences include five years with the Cancer Society of Canada, two years with Multiple Sclerosis – Manitoba Chapter, seven years with the Society of Management Accountants-Manitoba and seventeen months with Riverview Health Centre.

Chris has previous education in Business Administration from Red River Community College in 1986, in Society of Management Accountants – Designated CMA in 1996, in Institute of Internal Auditors- Designated CIA in 2011, and in Association of Certified Fraud Examiners – Designated CFE in 2011.

MB5 – Bird Medicine: Connecting with Birds of Prey as a Pathway to Healing

Workshop Description

Learn about Bird Medicine from Heather Antoni, RP (Q), Spiritual Care Intern, licensed falconer and author of “ Bird Medicine: Falconry as a Spiritual Salve, (Antoni 2021). Through relationship with birds of prey, Bird Medicine shows how a person can receive healing through the four domains of spiritual wellness -personal, communal, environmental and transcendental. Learn how this nature- based healing pathway can work for those of PTSD or moral injury. Read Heather‘s article prior to attending the workshop.  https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15423050211038311

Heather Antoni MA, RP (Q) holds a Bachelor of Religious Education in Counselling and Intercultural Studies as well as a Masters of Arts in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy.  She is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with New Moon Counselling and a Chaplain at St.Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.  Heather is also a co-pastor with Chosen Family Church, an online LGBTQ2S+ affirming church body.  Through her own experiences with addiction and mental health, as well as her active involvement in the LGBTQ2S+ community, Heather has established the passion, desire, and ability to work with individuals working through challenges in these areas.

In her work, Heather utilizes a spiritually-integrated approach to psychotherapy as well as techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy.  She is also a strong proponent of eco-therapy, seeing a connection between the rise in mental health issues and decreased exposure to nature.

Lastly, Heather is a licensed falconer and an active member of the Ontario Hawking Club.  She holds a particular passion for integrating nature- and animal-based practices into her work.  She is working toward building a program centered around Bird Medicine to share the healing power of birds with others.

Alida van Dijk, PhD, RP is the Executive Director of the Community Counselling Centre of London in Ontario and a CASC/ACSS Certified Supervisor-Educator of psycho-spiritual therapist interns who do eight-month internships at the Centre. Alida is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

Alida is the Chair of the Curriculum Development Working Group (affectionately known by group members as C-DaWG) which reports to the Educational Standards Commission. 

Alida practices spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, using strength-based narrative therapy, solution-focused brief therapy and Somatic Experiencing interventions. Alida believes that we are holistic people whose body, mind and spirit are integrated. Alida helps people to connect with their strengths and welcomes spirituality as a part of therapy.

​Alida has experience providing loss and bereavement support, exploring lack of meaning and purpose in life, addressing moral injury and other effects of trauma-related experiences. Alida completed a PhD in Human Relationships in the field of Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy in 2016. Her dissertation is entitled “Not Sinking with the Titanic: Personal Agency as Key Factor in Transforming Trauma into Posttraumatic Growth.”

​Among her epic adventures in life, Alida completed two cross-country Sea to Sea bicycle rides during the summers 2005 (Vancouver to Halifax) and 2008 (Seattle, WA to Jersey City,NJ). 

MB6 – Fortifying the Front Lines: Incorporating the Buddhadharma into the Provision of Spiritual Care to Hospital Staff Suffering from Work-Related Trauma and Moral Injury

Workshop Description

This workshop will explore what the Buddhadharma (Buddhist theology), especially the four Brahmavihārās (loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity), the psychotherapeutic benefit of employing the Buddhadharma and the Bodhisvatta ( a being whose purpose is to assist others to reach enlightenment) as an avatar of chaplaincy, has to offer chaplains as a means of providing care and support to staff suffering from trauma and moral injury as a result of COVID-19 and other work related insults.

Jeffrey Braff, DrPH, MPS

An ordained Buddhist monk in the Tibetan tradition, Jeffrey Braff, DrPH, CIP, MPS (Ven. Lobsang Yonten) is a Spiritual Care Provider at St. Michael’s Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Centre, in Toronto. Previously, he served as the chaplain on the Pediatric Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Units at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco.

He currently serves as the Chair of the Common Spirit Health Institutional Review Board (Research Ethics Board) and the Chair of the California Rural Indian Health Board’s IRB as well. He is a Visiting Scholar at the Center of Disease Dynamics, Economics and Prevention in Washington DC. Through Regis College at the University of Toronto, Dr. Braff is enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry degree program at the Toronto School of Theology.

Dr. Braff has more than thirty years’ experience in research medicine and healthcare. He is an infectious disease epidemiologist, and has taught at the School of Public Health at the University of California – Berkeley. His principal research interests there were the clinical and ethical aspects of organ transplantation in people with infectious disease, and the clinical application of theoretical bioethics.

in 2015, Dr. Braff retired from Kaiser Permanente (KP), the largest integrated health care institution in the United States, with over 12,000,000 members. Dr. Braff was the KP Federal wide Assurance Institutional Official, responsible for ensuring the health, welfare, and safety and ethical treatment of the hundreds of thousands of KP members enrolled in research studies. He was also KP’s national Research Integrity Officer and Conflicts of Interest Officer for Research.

TA1 – Indigenous Wellness: Bringing the Sacred to the Centre

Workshop Description

Indian Residential School trauma is only one aspect of moral injury in the colonization experience by Indigenous communities. Dr. Gabor Mate said, “Aboriginal culture was optimized to produce stress-free, emotionally-present, caregivers.” This workshop will explore the dynamics and outcomes of community wellbeing fostered by the circle and on-the-land learning as experienced in the Return of the Buffalo retreats at Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre.

Adrian Jacobs

Ganosono of the Turtle Clan, Cayuga Nation of the Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy at Grand River Territory, ON. Adrian is the father of five and grandfather of two grandsons and one granddaughter. He lives as guest on Anishinaabe Treaty One territory as Keeper of the Circle of Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre in Beausejour, Manitoba. He teaches in the areas of Indigenous history, culture and contemporary issues. Adrian has over thirty years experience in networking and training of ministry candidates and Aboriginal leaders for organizations in Canada and the United States.

TA2 – Moral Injury as a Prolepsis of Spiritual Sensitivity, a case of Nigeria-Biafra War Veterans

Workshop Description

An understanding of spiritual sensitivity is important in understanding Moral Injury. When one lacks spiritual sensitivity, it becomes easier to be lured by circumstances that leaves one morally injured when the ‘dust has settled’. Therefore, a thorough look at spiritual sensitivity will arm one with enough theory to adequately discuss the matter of MI, with a focus on long lasting remedies. This presentation will set out to describe spiritual sensitivity in detail, alongside other qualities that accentuate spiritual relevance. It will show that spiritual sensitivity, seen in gifts of grace, is a sign of a proven spiritual balance, especially when discussions focusing on Moral Injury are on the table. When one is morally injured, it is as a result of a lacuna created by the lack of these gifts of grace. We shall conclude by suggesting ways of improving quality of life to avoid spiritual injury. For those suffering from it already, tips will be suggested on how to address MI, enabling them to lead normal lives.

Uzochi Samuel Anyaso

Anyaso Samuel Uzochi, B.A., B.Msc., M.Msc., holds a Master’s in Metaphysical Psychology from the University of Sedona, Arizona and a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Anyaso is an Ordained Minister, a Practitioner in Metaphysics, is affiliated with the International Metaphysical Ministry and is a member of the National Philosophical Association.

Anyaso has over ten years’ experience in pastoral counselling, chapel administration, religious rituals, word healing, biblical analysis and mental and behavioural counseling. Anyaso’s objective is to serve humanity in the best possible to bring happiness, relief and succor to humans through ministerial services.

Extra-curricular activities include discussing sociopolitical issues, traveling and playing chess. Anyaso holds a diploma in Tourism and Archeology from UNN.

TA3 – Moral injury and the Self: Spirituality, Transformation, and Finding Justice

Workshop Description

Spiritual care professionals are uniquely positioned to assist those who experience moral distress and injury. By understanding spirituality as central to a person’s sense of self, this workshop will describe moral distress and injury as wounds to a person’s fundamental spiritual identity. Concepts, clinical perspectives, and communal implications of these phenomena will all be considered in this workshop’s discussion of how to care for those who have survived such deeply distressing injuries.

Simon Lasair, PhD, CASC/ACSS Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner

Simon Lasair is the Robert Steane Holistic Research Chair at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, SK. He is also a casual Spiritual Care Practitioner at the same hospital. Simon has provided clinical care in a variety of contexts, including acute-care hospitals, long-term care, and in faith communities. As a researcher he has developed a theoretical model of spirituality, spiritual health, and spiritual care through a number of peer-reviewed journal articles. In his current role as Research Chair he has been given a five year mandate to investigate how best to integrate spiritual care and fine arts based practitioners into the frontlines of hospital and hospice health care environments.

With CASC/ACSS Simon serves as the Academic Assessment Chair on the national Educational Standards Commission. In this role he has worked with several of CASC/ACSS’s academic partners nationally to ensure good alignment between their academic programs and CASC/ACSS requirements. It is with these concerns in mind that Simon also serves on the national Curriculum Development Working Group (C-DaWG).

When not working, Simon enjoys spending time with his family, going for long walks, watching superhero movies, and reading philosophy, theology, and psychology books, in addition to far too many superhero comics.

TA4 – Creating Virtual space for Spiritual Care: Supporting Access to Healing Pathways

Workshop Description

Through the use of dialogical and case study approaches, participants will become familiar with the CASC/ACSS virtual care guidelines; will explore how virtual care may support and expand access to a variety of healing pathways; will explore creatively how a variety of spiritual care modalities can be translated into the virtual relationship; will be able to identify ethical principles at play in virtual care.

Tracey Hand-Breckenridge

Tracey practices in Ontario, where she is a Registered Psychotherapist, CASC Certified Psycho-Spiritual Therapist and Provisional Supervisor Educator, and EMDR therapist, Level Two Clinician Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy and Neurofeedback Trainer. She operates two private practices, Cedar Creek Counselling, which focuses on trauma, attachment issues and couples therapy, and Carley Rawes Centre, which offers reduced fee care to financially insecure young adults with depression and anxiety.

Marvin Shank

Marvin Shank (B.A., M.Div., RP in College of Registered Psychotherapists Ontario, Certified Supervisor-Educator in CPE, ordained in Mennonite Church).  Marvin retired after 30 years of work within St. Joseph’s Health Care London (Ontario) doing spiritual care and education, primarily in hospital mental health care contexts.  Since retirement he has supervised or helped supervise five CPE units in a variety of places.  The last of these units occurred in the midst of the pandemic and was conducted entirely by virtual means.  This experience gave him new awareness and appreciation for non-face-to-face supervision and spiritual care practice.  He has had various roles within CASC regionally and nationally, presently serves on PPC and promoting research literacy.  He and his wife, Pauline, have two adult children and five grandchildren who inspire hope.

Heather Vanderstelt

Rev. Heather Vanderstelt, MDiv, RP works at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, specializing in Ambulatory Care. She has a passion for engaging in research that supports the profession of Spiritual Care. She is a Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner, a certified Supervisor-Educator with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care and a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

TA5 – Trauma-Informed Poetry Circles as Self Care

Workshop Description

Cultivating habits of self-care, including a poetry practice, can help participants enrich every day life and provide an opportunity for healing. This workshop offers strategies using poetry for self-care for all levels of poets. The workshop flow entails a check-in, grounding activity, writing time, poetry reading, circle, and closing activity to explore poetry as self-care.

Deb Martens

Deb Martens is a passionate and visionary leader who is community and globally minded, advocating for individuals who may be forgotten in our society. She is equal part strategist and creative, thriving in a collaborative culture where she supports physical and spiritual well-being.  Martens is a Spiritual Health Practitioner at Deer Lodge Hospital, Winnipeg, where she runs weekly Soul Care groups, among other services and is a part of the Truth and Reconciliation Core Working Group. Martens is also a Wellness Coach for WW CANADA, where she provides in person and on-line coaching and facilitation. She facilitates ongoing training with a meaning-centred personal approach that includes evocative questions, diversity, and navigating group dynamics in an adult engagement environment.

Martens holds a B.A. from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a M.A. from the Graduate Institute of Antioch University. Her skills and activities include Instructional development, Coaching, Ongoing leadership development, published articles, whole-hearted collaboration. Martens is a Life-long Learner.

Erin Woodford

Erin Woodford is an educator, researcher and lifelong learner who is passionate about holistic learning and professional development. She positively influences the lives of others through trauma-informed practices, storytelling, and arts-based therapies that bring awareness, advocacy, and action to individuals and communities.

Woodford is an Indigenization and Decolonization Advisor, Co-Founder (2016) of Wildflower Writing: Trauma-Informed workshops to facilitate healing. Woodford is an Indigenous Family Learning Liaison between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. She is an independent researcher, professional development facilitator and grant writer for community, non-profit, individual and SSHRC writing experience. Woodford identifies grant opportunities, crafts proposals with compelling narratives, and efficiently and effectively communicates with various target audiences.

Woodford holds a M.A. from the Graduate Institute of Antioch University online, (Bellingham, WA), and a B.Ed. from the University of Alberta, Saint-Jean campus.

TA6 – MAiD Postvention: Reframing the Moral Distress for Moral Courage and Resiliency

Workshop Description

The goal of the Postvention interaction/ministry in times of MAiD is to strengthen the emotional, relational and spiritual resiliency of the care team. Postvention can be used by spiritual health practitioners to lower indicators of distress, and to support the caring individual in adaptive coping. In this workshop participants will gain an understanding of moral residue, moral distress, moral injury and the specific tools of cognitive reframing for developing moral courage and resiliency.

Gloria Woodland, DMin.

Gloria J. Woodland, DMin. is the Director of Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Education, an Assistant Professor of Chaplaincy Studies and Spiritual Care, in the ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. She is a researcher, writer, and presenter in the field of chaplaincy and spiritual care.

Gloria Woodland completed her Doctor of Ministry and Pastoral Counselling in 2011 from Providence Seminary in Otterburn, Manitoba. Her dissertation was “Advancing Theory and Praxis in Graduate level Education for Christian Chaplains”. Previously Gloria received a Master of Arts in Christian Studies, Chaplaincy/ Pastoral Care in 2006 from ACTS at Trinity Western University. Her graduating essay was “Spiritual Assessment in Health Care”. Gloria received Ordination and Commissioning from the Salvation Army College for Officer Training in Toronto, Ontario in 1982. Gloria is a CASC member and CISM trained.

Gloria worked for 13 years in Church Ministry, 5 years as a Para-church organizational Director, 10 years in Heath Care and Clinical Chaplaincy and a total of 11 years as an Educator at ACTS Seminary.

TB1 – The 7 I’s Journey of Transformation : A New Therapeutic Model and its Application to the Case of a Syrian Refugee Suffering from Moral Injury

Workshop Description

The 7I’s Journey of Transformation integrates aspects of Narrative Therapy with Campbell‘s Hero’s Journey and the Ayurvedic Motto of human development linking the spiritual and psychological aspects to physical health enabling the client to listen to the physical warnings that point at deeper emotional and/or spiritual roots that need to be addressed. Next, we will explore the application of the model using a composite case study of a Syrian refugee suffering from moral injury.

Amira Ayad Phd. 

Dr. Amira Ayad is a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner with CASC/ACSS. Dr. Ayad has over fifteen years of experience in emotional, spiritual, and wellness counseling as well as natural health consultation in hospital, clinic, and community settings. Dr. Ayad is experienced in facilitating group spiritual, narrative, and art therapy sessions and workshops in multifaith settings. 

Dr. Ayad is a lecturer at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto and faculty member of the Institute of Holistic Nutrition and faculty of Pharmacy. She is a former board member at Five Oaks Multifaith Education & Retreat Centre with a focus on program development and building and nurturing partnerships with faith communities and organizations.

Dr. Ayad has published six books in the field of natural health, spirituality and self-development including: Healing Body and Soul (2008), The True Secret (2011), Body Whispers: Unraveling the Emotional & Spiritual Root of Illness (2015).

TB2 – Forging a New Pathway in CASC/ACSS Education: Content in Conversation with Theories

Workshop Description

Andrea Thompson, MTS, CASC/ACSS Certified Supervisor-Educator, RP

Andrea Thompson is the Spiritual Health Education Coordinator at Providence Care in Kingston, Ontario.  She is a CASC/ACSS certified Supervisor Educator and teaches and coordinates Spiritual Health education at Providence Care.  As well as being an educator she provides clinical spiritual health services to the Seniors Mental Health unit at Providence Care Hospital.  She is also a   Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.  As an educator and clinician she has a strong interest in personality theory, especially self-psychology, and how this impacts personal and professional development. 

Simon Lasair, PhD, CASC/ACSS Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner

Simon Lasair is the Robert Steane Holistic Research Chair at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, SK. He is also a casual Spiritual Care Practitioner at the same hospital. Simon has provided clinical care in a variety of contexts, including acute-care hospitals, long-term care, and in faith communities. As a researcher he has developed a theoretical model of spirituality, spiritual health, and spiritual care through a number of peer-reviewed journal articles. In his current role as Research Chair he has been given a five year mandate to investigate how best to integrate spiritual care and fine arts based practitioners into the frontlines of hospital and hospice health care environments.

With CASC/ACSS Simon serves as the Academic Assessment Chair on the national Educational Standards Commission. In this role he has worked with several of CASC/ACSS’s academic partners nationally to ensure good alignment between their academic programs and CASC/ACSS requirements. It is with these concerns in mind that Simon also serves on the national Curriculum Development Working Group (C-DaWG).

When not working, Simon enjoys spending time with his family, going for long walks, watching superhero movies, and reading philosophy, theology, and psychology books, in addition to far too many superhero comics.

Matthew Heyn, BTh, MDiv, CASC/ACSS Certified Supervisor-Educator

Rev. Matthew Heyn is recently appointed as Profession Lead at Vancouver Coastal Health, BC. He is an ordained minister through Trinity Full Gospel Fellowship and a CASC/ACSS Certified Supervisor Educator. He also chairs the standards of revisions in the PPC. Matthew and his team at VCH under the direction of Doug Longstaffe have conducted 5 pilot CPE units testing out the approved CASC/ACSS Core Curriculum content. They have developed a blended CPE learning curriculum that utilizes LMS technology, video observation, and three new levels of content (e.g. Foundational, Integrative, and Contextual). They hope to share these findings and contribute to the discussion of a standard national SPE Curriculum.  

Philip Tse, MTh, MDiv, DMin, EdD, CASC/ACSS Certified Supervisor-Educator

Rev. Dr. Philip Tse holds a Master of Theology in culture and ministry, a Master of Divinity, a Doctor of Ministry in spiritual care and spirituality, and a Doctorate of Education in Pastoral Counseling. He brings over 25 years of spiritual care and counseling experience. Philip is a registered clinical counselor with BCACC, and a clinical fellow of AAMFT and CMFT. He has a wealth of life experience, cultural awareness and knowledge that will contribute to counseling. Philip is also a Certified Spiritual Health and Psychospiritual Supervisor-Educator with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care CASC/ACSS. He has been serving as a consultant to many churches regarding church administrations, difficult situations and conflicts. His experience includes working in restaurants in the 70s to 80s, and living on construction sites in remote areas as an engineer. In the 90s to 2000, Philip was working as an executive in San Francisco, and his work included conflict management and legal cases. He ministered among African Americans and Asians, caring and counselling for sick and disenfranchised in the community. His counselling specialty is integrating medical and physical needs into marriage family therapy (medical marriage family therapy).

TB3 – From My Side of the Therapy Trench: Reflections from Serving Our Morally Injured Military Members and Veterans

Workshop Description

This workshop uses examples from the presenters professional work of addressing moral injury with military members (Indigenous veterans, military sexual assault survivors, combat veterans) to highlight the impact of introspection on professional practice. Nuanced themes such as sitting with pain and shame, self-doubt and strengths-based perspectives will be explored. Ultimately, this workshop will model for others of diverse training backgrounds one way to utilize personal reflections to strengthen their own professional practices.

Karis Calloway, Ph.D., C. Psych

Dr. Karis Callaway, Ph.D., C. Psych., received her Master of Arts in Psychology, at Western Michigan University in 2016 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology, from Western Michigan University in 2019. Previously she completed a BA in Psychology at Mount Royal University in 2011.

Dr.Callaway is currently a Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Professor for the Operational Stress Injury Clinic, in Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Veterans Affairs Canada, a part of the University of Ottawa. At the same time, she is involved as a Research Advisor for the Research Group of Mental Health in the Mexican Army & Air Force, Department of the Military, located at Central Hospital of Mexico, in Mexico City, Mexico. 

 As a Clinical Psychologist & Assistant Professor, Dr. Callaway worked in the Operational Stress Injury Clinic, connected with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Veterans Affairs Canada, Max Rady College of Medicine, and the University of Manitoba. Dr. Callaway was a Clinical Psychology Resident (2018 –2019) with the Student Counselling Centre and Migizii Agamik, at University of Manitoba. 

In June 2021 Dr. Callaway presented on Moral Injury and the Canadian Armed Forces, as the keynote speaker for the annual Canadian Psychological Association’s Psychology in the Military section.  At the 2020 International Society of Addictions Medicine’s Scientific Conference Dr. Callaway presented on Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT): An effective protocol in training health professionals to address substance use concerns.

TB4 – Holding Space in Times of Pain and Disruption

Workshop Description

When people speak honestly about moral injury, we are often tempted to resist the information, try to fix them, defend ourselves, and/or run away. In this workshop we will talk about what it means to hold space for their pain and the discomfort it may cause in us. We’ll discuss cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias, and learn how to soothe our nervous system so that we can stay present for conversations that challenge us.

Heather Plett

Author of the award-winning book, “The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership” and co-founder of the Centre for Holding Space, Heather Plett is an international speaker, facilitator, and writer. She has trained and mentored individuals and groups from six continents (both in person and online) in leadership and personal development.

Heather Plett has a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from the University of Manitoba, 1988-1991, and a Diploma in Biblical Studies from Steinbach Bible College, 1984-1986. Heather’s professional development includes the following: • Authentic Leadership in Action – ALIA Summer Institute

• Art of Hosting & Harvesting Conversations that Matter – Art of Hosting
• Circle & Story Practicum – Peer Spirit Consulting
• Strategic Communications Planning – Carlton University
• Published The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership, which was awarded a Nautilus Silver Medal, was a McNally Robinson bestseller, and has been translated into Dutch
• Named Manitoba Communicator of the Year for 2009 by the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Public Relations Society
• Board Member for United Nations Platform for Action Committee • Regional Coordinator for Gather the Women Global Matrix

Heather has been teaching workshops and delivering keynote addresses in leadership, creativity, writing, facilitation and community development. Additionally, she provides consulting for organizations around the world on leadership, coaching, facilitation, personal and professional development. Heather teaches courses in Writing for Public Relations, Effective Facilitation, Effective Written Communication, Social Media, and Emotional Intelligence Director, Communications & Public Engagement.

From June 2004 to October 2010, Heather traveled around the world as the primary communicator for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, one of Canada’s largest international development organizations. Heather has also worked for Canadian Science Center for Human & Animal Health (Health Canada), and Veterans Affairs Canada.

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TB5 – The Emergence of Psychedelic Chaplaincy: Bridging the Mystical and the Medical

Workshop Description

Psychedelic-assisted therapies (PAT) are fast developing, with research confirming their potential to help heal numerous ailments. While the physiology remains somewhat elusive to Western science, participants describe spiritual/mystical experience as key to PAT effectiveness. This panel discussion will: briefly review the evolution of PAT, and research trends; consider stigma, legal, ethical and safety considerations, including colonization/medicalization of these medicines; and explore the unique and integral qualification spiritual health practitioners bring to this emerging field.

Jeff Vidt, 

Jeff Vidt is a Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner and Registered Psychotherapist, and has spent his entire professional career promoting and providing spiritual care. He has worked in a diverse range of health care contexts, including the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, Unity Health Toronto, and various hospices and long-term care centres. He is passionately dedicated to education and helping others learn the ways spirituality impacts health, and has developed expertise in providing staff support in trauma. He has extensive training and experience in the fields of spirituality, grief, and psychology. This includes work in religious and spiritual development, meaning reconstruction, staff support, creating and facilitating bereavement groups, creating modules to educate staff on spirituality and meaning in healthcare, as well the founding the first Death Cafe in the Akron, OH area.  His passion is to promote spiritual reflection and wellness, facilitate interfaith dialog, and encourage reflection on the discovery and creation of meaning in our lives. He lives in Ottawa with his wife and two sons.

Marnie Roper

Marnie Roper has been a hospital-based spiritual health practitioner for 16 years, currently working and living on the traditional, unceded territory of the Quw’utsun’ First Nation on Vancouver Island, BC.  Marnie is part of the interdisciplinary team with Roots To Thrive, a 12-week peer support program which includes ketamine-assisted therapy.  In 2020-2021, she helped support a provincial advisory committee with government and health system partners, exploring how to minimize risks and optimize the potential benefits of psychedelic medicine-assisted therapy in BC.  Marnie is a Buddhist and animist practitioner of European ancestry. 

Expert Guests

Dr. Duncan Grady

Dr. Duncan Grady’s professional experience includes 14 years providing post secondary education and 25 years of psychotherapy in addictions, trauma, death and dying. He has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and a Doctorate of Divinity focused on Creation
Spirituality. He is an elder of the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society, West Kootenays, BC. He currently co-leads retreats, works with communities impacted by lateral violence, drug overdose and traumatic death and provides training and consultation using western and non-western approaches to health, well-being, spirituality, trauma, dying and death.

Hunt Priest

Hunt Priest is ordained in The Episcopal Church (Anglican) and the founding Executive Director of Ligare: A Christian Psychedelic Society, a non-profit network of Christian leaders educating themselves and those they lead about the intersection of open-hearted Christianity and the Psychedelic Renaissance.  A participant in a psilocybin study in early 2016, he had two life-changing mystical experiences under the care of a research team. His encounters with psilocybin opened him to the healing and consciousness-raising power of sacred plants and fungi and changed the landscape of his work. Hunt believes the healing power of psychedelics should be in the toolkits of all who are healers of bodies, minds, and souls and can’t wait to provide access to legal, safe, and guided experiences in a Christian setting. In April 2021 Hunt took an extended break from full-time parish ministry to expand his priesthood out into the emerging psychedelic landscape. He has previously served Episcopal Church congregations in Austin, Atlanta, Seattle, and most recently Savannah, Georgia.