Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
SIGs provide valuable support and growth opportunities for CPA members, both at annual conferences, and throughout the year! SIG leaders are encouraged to facilitate meetings and discussions throughout the year, formally or informally, and be responsive to CPA members who contact them regarding questions and needs related to the focus of the group. SIG leaders (and ongoing members) must be current members of the CPA.
Groups of CPA members sharing a common professional interest or specialization may form a SIG to enjoy:
- Networking and peer collaboration
- Meet at annual conferences and remotely (as organized by SIG leaders)
SIG leaders will (at minimum):
- Facilitate a meeting or discussion at the annual CPA Conference
- Be listed and function as points of contact for the SIG
SIG membership is open to all current CPA members who meet the listed criteria for the individual SIG. Visit the "Membership" tab in your Member Profile to learn more and request join the SIG(s) that fit your interests, needs and areas of expertise.
Current SIGs
Seminary Psychology & Assessments
Forum for discussion of Vocational assessment instruments, counseling seminarians and best practice.
Because of the sensitive nature of the subject matter, members will need to request to join this SIG in advance. Please reach out to the current contact (listed below) to do so.
Deliverance & Exorcism Ministry
- Current, active participation in a ministry team, diocese, or collaboration with clergy
- Attestation to the Catholic understanding of the demonic as an active creature which can influence the health and well-being of people
- Absolute acceptance of and obedience to the apostolic authority of one’s Bishop in combating the enemy
- Ability to work from a trauma-informed perspective with clients
- Current and ongoing reception of spiritual direction or guidance in support of their work in this area
Peer Consultation
This SIG is intended for clinical and student CPA members with a masters or doctoral degree in a mental health field to consult on patient/client cases. The focus will be exploring various clinical cases through CE21 or in local areas when possible.
CSBD Recovery and Integration
This is a special interest group (SIG) for mental health clinicians and Catholic clergy who are interested in pursuing CSAT/PSAP/CPTT certification and/or those working in the area of assessment and treatment of individuals, couples, and families impacted by Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD, Sexual Addiction/Compulsivity). This special interest group (SIG) shares resources and consultation to support each other in the clinical and pastoral work of addressing CSBD anchored in the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.
Reproductive Loss & Healing
This purpose of this Special Interest group is helping clinicians address trauma and grief through the experience of abortion, miscarriage, infertility, IVF, adoption and other reproductive losses. The group offers resources for ethical practice, peer consultation, prayerful fellowship, and advocacy for healing approaches that align with both sound psychological principles and Catholic values in a faith-integrated space for collaboration, spiritual support, and ongoing education.
Catholicism & Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
This Special Interest Group is formed to explore and develop the intersections between the Catholic theological and philosophical tradition and various schools of classical and contemporary psychoanalytic thinking. Its purpose is to enhance the knowledge and practice of psychoanalysis and depth psychology to grow the psychotherapist’s mind and heart by means of this exploration.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (Sue Johnson)
The purpose of this SIG is to offer CPA members a forum to enhance community and networking opportunities with other providers who work from an attachment / EFT framework; to provide opportunities for professional development and continuing education; to encourage collaboration on how to apply principles of EFT from a Catholic-integrated perspective; to create a safe and brave space for taking risks, learning and growing.
CPA members interested in forming a new SIG may take the following steps:
1) Identify at least 2 CPA members who are interested in serving in the formation and leadership of the SIG, and who have some level of expertise and experience in the chosen area of interest.
2) Construct a title and description of the proposed SIG, similar to the information listed on current SIGs, including any criteria for joining the group. Submit this information to the Membership Committee Chair (jmazzone@catholicpsychotherapy.org).
3) Upon initial approval by Membership Committee Chair (and the CPA Board if deemed necessary), the SIG leader(s) will announce the formation of the new SIG via the CPA Listserv and Member News, inviting interested/qualified members to join.
4) When member interest has been verified with at least 5 additional CPA members indicating that they wish to join the new SIG, the SIG will be considered officially formed and posted on the CPA website.
Further steps and activity of the SIG will be determined by the SIG leaders in cooperation with the Membership Committee Chair and CPA staff.
Each January, SIG leaders will be asked by the Membership Committee Chair to:
1) Verify or update their status as official contact for and leader of the SIG, and
2) Select a meeting time within the schedule for the upcoming CPA conference.
The SIG contact/leader will function as the point of contact for interested CPA Members, and communicate with the CPA Board via the Membership Committee Chair regarding the activities of the SIG. Activity of SIGs beyond the minimum requirements listed above may include: meetings of SIG members throughout the year (e.g. monthly, quarterly), assembling and posting a resource page addressing the topic/needs of the SIG, facilitating a SIG Listserv (via CPA admin), promoting scholarly work related to the SIG topic via CPA webinar/poster/conference presentations or journal submission.
Seminary Psychology & Assessment
Emily Dowdell | emilydowdell.psyd@gmail.com
Eric Gudan | dr.gudan@integritaspsych.com
Deliverance & Exorcism Ministry
Jennifer Madere | jennifer@intuitus-group.com
Frank Moncher |moncherphd@gmail.com
Peer Consultation
Zach Dorsc | thezdorsch@gmail.com
CSBD Recovery and Integration
Shannon Mullen | dr.shannon.mullen@gmail.com
Mandy Mullen | mandymullen.lcsw@gmail.com
Reproductive Loss and Healing
Laura Patron | laura@lovethyselfwc.com
Sarah LaPierre | sarah.lapierre@arlingtondiocese.org
Catholicism & Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Lisa Colangelo Fischer | lisafischer@cox.net
Angelyn Arden | angelyn.arden@gmail.com
Gabriel Crawford | gabriel@saintgeorgecounseling.org
Emotionally Focused Therapy (Sue Johnson) SIG
Jonathan Marcotte | jmarcotte@sgpsych.com
Hilary Towers | hilary@harmoniacounseling.com