How to Get the Most Out of Clinical Pastoral Education: A CPE Primer

by Gordon J. Hilsman D.Min, Judith Ragsdale (Foreword)

This accessible primer sets out the core elements and methods of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), and shows how to use it most effectively to improve clinicians' capacity for spiritual care.The guide explains how to learn best from verbatim sessions, open agenda groups and writing projects. It shows how the primary learning modalities of CPE add competence to a spiritual caregiver's practice, suggesting helpful ways to reflect on spiritual care encounters from varying perspectives. It recommends ways to collaborate with a peer group, enhance frameworks of understanding people, improve self-awareness and broaden one's scope of caring while also deepening it. Written by an experienced supervisor of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, this guide is an essential introduction for anyone seeking to foster positive attitudes and practice of spiritual care in hospitals, hospices and other clinical settings.

Genres: Nonfiction

195 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Luke Hillier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a "recommended but not required" reading for my first unit of CPE and I'm so glad I went ahead of got it! Although there's an abundance of great materials that are better suited for equipping CPE students in pastoral care, this book seems to me an invaluable resource for gaining understanding of the program itself and the work required on that side of one's involvement. Even after spending years participating and working with an intentional community that has some substantial overlap with CPE-ethos/process/etc., I have found myself somewhat uncertain of the vision it's inviting me into. Although there is inevitable variation across each iteration, this was a tremendously empowering read in getting a fuller sense of, generally, what the program hopes to offer and where it is seeking to move students to through their involvement. It also offers some really helpful language and definitions for various skills related to clinical caregiving, group engagement, and personal reflection. I was also really struck by how well-written it was, in a succinct but nonetheless vivid voice that made for a fairly fast and genuinely enjoyable read.

[Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must-Have for Every CPE Student and Spiritual Caregiver

This book is like having a wise, seasoned CPE supervisor walk alongside you even when you’re stumbling through your first awkward verbatim or trying to decode the mysterious ways of group process.

Gordon J. Hilsman doesn’t just explain Clinical Pastoral Education he translates it, making the learning process approachable, insightful, and truly transformative. Whether you're brand new to CPE or deep in your training, this guide helps you get honest with yourself, deepen your reflective practice, and lean into the kind of growth that makes you a better caregiver and human being.

I especially appreciated how practical the chapters are. From verbatim writing to peer group dynamics, Hilsman keeps it real. You’ll feel challenged, yes but also understood.

To be honest, I wish I’d read this at the very beginning of my CPE journey. It would’ve saved me a lot of confusion and given me language for the growth I was experiencing.

Highly recommended for chaplain interns, residents, and anyone who wants to do more than just survive CPE, this book helps you thrive in it.

[Adam Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Key CPE resource

Reading this book in the first months of my first CPE unit has proved a crucial on-boarding experience for helping me wrap my head around the culture and philosophy of the program. It's practical, comprehensive, and detailed while not being verbose. I feel much further along the CPE journey having read this. The book helps lay out the opportunities of CPE for those simply taking a unit to those who may be interested in pursuing specialized certification. Additionally, I think anyone considering CPE but uncertain of just what it's about would greatly benefit from this introduction. Highly recommended.

[James Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're thinking about taking CPE, you need this book!
This book was written for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) students or for anyone thinking about taking CPE. Hillsman does an excellent job of letting the reader know what CPE is all about. Within these pages you will discover the methods and means of CPE, and, maybe, you will discover a little more about yourself. I only wish that this book would have been available when I started CPE. "How to Get the Most of Clinical Pastoral Education: A CPE Primer" is a must read for anyone in or considering a career in hospital chaplaincy.

[Cape Rust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bullseye for its Target Audience

This book is written for a very specific set of readers. As a Current CPE intern this book is illuminating. If you are in a CPE program or considering becoming part of one, this is a must read, it will help in discernment as well as give those in a CPE program an idea of what right can look like.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

People should read this before embarking upon CPE.

[Matthew Dimick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great summary of what to expect from CPE for prospective students. Also a good reminder for supervisors about what their focus and aims should be.

[Liz]

Very helpful to prepare for CPE and understand the philosophy of the program.

[JaneAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be interested in revisiting this as I begin class and clinicals.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this book was very informative and easy to understand. The second half of the book (chapters 4-6) seemed like additional information that wasn’t really applicable to me as someone just entering CPE. I wonder if I’ll feel differently after I’m in it. Overall, I found the language approachable and felt that this laid out a lot of the goals and pieces of what a CPE program would be like. I certainly feel calmer and more prepared looking into my CPE after reading this.

The limitations of this primer are associated with the author’s POV which is that of a white, Christian, heterosexual man. Someone entering CPE from a marginalized identity would probably need to pursue extra reading after this for advice tailored to engaging in caregiving from their identities (ie how to handle encounters with racism or suspicion of one’s religious background). What I appreciate is that Dr. Hilsman himself acknowledges this aspect. This book provides a very great overview of the CPE process itself but some people may need more specific advice or information to feel really prepared about engaging in chaplaincy work.