We are honored to have Dr. Sri present The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love and Virtue and The Freedom to Fail and have the opportunity for Q&A.

The secular world not only has lost faith; it has lost the art of living–we don’t even know the basics of how to live friendship, dating, marriage and family life anymore.  If we are going to have authentic friendships, build solid marriages and raise children well in this culture, we must rediscover the great tradition of the virtues. Drawing from his book, The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love, Dr. Edward Sri shows how love requires virtue. Only people who intentionally grow in virtue can give the best of themselves to their friends, their spouse, and their children. Virtue gives us the freedom to love. Anyone can say “I love you.” Some people might sincerely mean it. But only those who have virtue possess the freedom to love. Unfortunately, it is this great tradition of the virtues that is being withheld from us in our secular culture.

There are two hotels a short distance from Franscisian University with reserved blocks for Conference participants. Use the links below for the CPA room blocks with discounted rates. Space is limited, so we recommend booking early. We will have a shuttle running from these two hotels during the start and end of the conference each day.

Address: 820 University Blvd, Steubenville, OH 43952

Phone: (740) 282-9800

Rate per night: $99 plus tax

Available nights: Wednesday, Oct. 21 – Saturday, Oct. 24

.7 mile from conference center (not practical to walk)

Showcase your ministry, your business at our Conference, where over 250 mental health professionals, clergy, religious, and affiliates gather to learn and network. Enhance your visibility, build valuable connections, and support the integration of Catholic faith within psychological practice. Join us in fostering growth, collaboration, and healing within the Catholic psychotherapy community!

Exhibitor registration includes:

• 6’ table and 2 chairs in the Exhibit Hall,
• 2 Conference Registrations beginning with Thursday’s Opening Reception and through Saturday,
• 2 Tickets to the CPA Banquet,
• Logo/Recognition in Conference Program,
• Virtual Exhibition Space for the Virtual Conference.

Set up for exhibitors will be Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Karen Villa is a clinical neuropsychologist in private practice in Brighton, MI. She received her Ph.D. from Michigan State University and completed postdoctoral fellowships with Michigan State University Medical School and the University of Michigan Medical School with an emphasis on interpersonal neurobiology, medical psychology and neuropsychology, and neuropsychoanalysis. She also completed her certification in Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy through the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute in 2012. She recently published a book with Sr. John Dominic Rasumussen entitled Raised in Grace: Made for Wholeness (2024) and speaks with parents and educators on the interface of interpersonal neurobiology and virtue.

Sr. John Dominic Rasmussen is a foundress of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and has been in religious life for forty years. She received her degree in education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and a Masters of Theology from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. She has over 35 years of experience in Catholic education as both a teacher and administrator. From her experience, she has developed Disciple of Christ, Education in Virtue and co-authored Raised in Grace: Made for Wholeness. She currently serves as Executive Director of Openlight Media which publishes print and digital content.

Based on the synthesis of neuroscience research in interpersonal neurobiology with regard to attachment, neuroplasticity, and stress sensitivity along with the CASEL five core competencies, we will discuss our Catholic framework for childhood neurodevelopment as outlined in our book Raised in Grace: Made for Wholeness. We will discuss how the theological and cardinal virtues align with this research to wire the childhood brain for goodness, mental well-being and flourishing in young adulthood. The practice of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love create a crucial “holding environment” that supports secure attachment needed for healthy brain development. The cardinal virtues support neuroplasticity to wire in “yes” brain fundamentals. St. John Bosco and brain-aligned preventive discipline emphasizes helping children to regulate their nervous system through connection over compliance.

Scholarship applications will be accepted until August 1, 2026. All applicants will be notified of their decision via email on or before August 15, 2026.

Great posters have already been submitted and will have a showcase at the Conference. Poster sessions are a great way to share research, clinical insights, and innovative practices in a collaborative format.