The CPA Provides Psychological Support for Vocations
Explore our directory of skilled psychologists dedicated to supporting vocations directors and religious communities with comprehensive evaluations.
Find Evaluators You Can Trust at the CPA
The CPA offers evaluators with opportunities for specialized continuing education and valuable peer consultation through a Special Interest Group dedicated to Seminary Assessment and Therapy.
We are committed to our Code of Ethics and the Magisterium of the Church.
Meet Some of Our Professionals
Eric Gudan, PsyD, HSPP
Licensed Psychologist - Indianapolis, IN
Dr. Eric Gudan has been conducting evaluations for discerners of religious life and priestly ministry for over 15 years, completing over 250 evaluations in his career. He has worked with various diocese and religious communities over the years. Eric is currently the leader of the CPA Special Interest Group for Seminary Assessment and Therapy.
Emily Dowdell, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist - Cincinnati, OH
Dr. Emily Dowdell earned her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) at Divine Mercy University in 2019. She has performed over 150 evaluations for priest and religious candidates since starting her training in 2015. Emily is an active member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and its Special Interest Group for Seminary Assessment and Therapy.
Matthew Rochefort, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist - Ave Maria, FL
Dr. Matthew Rochefort obtained his M.S. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Divine Mercy University in Arlington, VA in 2020. He has been providing assessments for discerners in local dioceses locally and remotely for a little over two years and has been a very active member of the Seminary Assessment and Therapy SIG.
Gretchen Quattlebaum, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Dr. Gretchen Quattlebaum is a Licensed Psychologist and practicing Catholic located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. She conducts assessments for men entering seminary or religious life, as well as for women entering religious or consecrated life. She collaborates with the vocations directors and seminaries to ensure the reports are insightful and helpful for the candidate’s formation journey. She is also a member of PsyPact, which allows her to provide virtual assessments in most states. In addition to providing psychological assessments, she has provided counseling for seminarians at St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, FL and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota.
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Your Questions Answered
Find answers to common inquiries about our psychological evaluation process and how to select the right professional from our directory.
What is the purpose of a psychological evaluation in vocations?
Psychological evaluations help assess the mental and emotional readiness of individuals discerning religious life, ensuring they are well-suited for the challenges they may face. The evaluation can be used to develop formation goals and support your discerner’s flourishing.
How do I choose a professional from the directory?
Consider the professional’s credentials, experience, and familiarity with religious life. Our directory provides detailed profiles to assist in your decision.
What are the elements of a complete evaluation?
Evaluations should include multiple psychological measures and an in depth clincial interview. Look for the inclusion of at least two measures of personality and psychopathology (e.g. PAI, MMPI, NEO, 16PF, MIPS, MCMI) and at least one projective or performance-based measure (e.g. Rorschach, TAT, AAP, sentence completion, drawings). They should cover various domains of the person, including sexuality. A good evaluator will treat this as more than just a box to check and give you good information to help your discerner flourish in formation!
What qualifications should an evaluator have?
Our directory lists professionals who are licensed psychologists with experience in religious contexts and are committed to ethical practices. Typically evaluations such as these should be performed by doctoral level clinicans. All CPA members commit to the CPA’s Mission and Code of Ethics and have access to specialized Continuing Education and the Seminary Assessment Special Interest Group.
How long does the evaluation process take?
The duration varies, but typically, evaluations are completed within four to six weeks.
Can evaluations be conducted remotely?
Yes, while in-person evaluations are ideal, many of our professionals are quite skilled at remote evaluations to accommodate different locations and schedules. Member profiles will report their states licensed and the states they service in-person.
How involved should I be in the process?
That can vary, but its best practice to keep communicate channels open with your evaluator – especially if you have questions about the results. Some evaluators welcome vocation directors into the feedback session or provide additional feedback.
Do these evaluations assess sexual risk?
A comprehensive evaluation will include a psychosexual history and risk assessment. To improve the process, it is recommended that religious orders and diocese consider utilizing the Diana Screen as part of their pre-employment screening process. This measure does not require a psychologist to administer.