Resilience in an Age of Permacrisis: Strengthening Ministry Leaders and Care Professionals

Caring for others can be demanding, particularly in a climate of instability, conflict, and limited resources. However, like other professional competencies, resilience can be developed. This didactic and experiential event will present a holistic approach to cultivating resilience and equip ministry and care professionals with practical tools to grow capacity for resilience. The day will include livestreamed plenary lectures and in-person workshops focused on anxiety, grief, trauma, and creative expression as resilience. Panel discussions will integrate workshop content and offer meaningful opportunities for mutual support and shared learning as we pursue greater resilience as care professionals in a context of permacrisis. Designed for pastoral leaders, chaplains, spiritual directors, and counselors.  

*Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical professional counselors, licensed social workers, and licensed clinical social workers. 

Plenary Lecturer
Rev. Jean Cheng Gorman, PsyD, Executive Director of Rooted.Growing.Resilient.  

Panelist
Kara Wolff, PhD Director of the Graduate Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at North Park University 

Workshop Leaders
Brenda Brainerd, Chaplain
Rev. William Mack, III, Executive Director of Rooted Pastors 
Angela Mapura, LMFT, Therapist at Thamani Counseling Center
Melody van der Werff, LCPC, Therapist and Clinical Director at Spring Tree Counseling 

SCHEDULE 

9:00am | Plenary, pt 1: “Understanding Resilience” (Dr. Jean Cheng Gorman)
10:15am | Coffee Break
10:30am | Plenary, pt 2: “Cultivating Resilience: Practices and Rhythms” (Dr. Jean Cheng Gorman) (2.5 CEUs for parts 1 & 2)
11:45am | Q&A 
12:00pm | Lunch Break
1:15pm | Workshops (1.5 CEUs)
Option 1: Grief (Brenda Brainerd)
Option 2: Trauma (Angela Mapura)
Option 3: Anxiety (Melody van der Werff)
Option 4: Spiritual Direction and Embodiment (Rev. William Mack, III)
2:45pm | Break
3:00pm | Dialogue on Trauma & Resilience (Dr. Jean Cheng Gorman and Dr. Kara Wolff) (1 CEU)
4:00pm | Panel Discussion with Workshop Leaders (1 CEU)
4:30pm | Conclusion and Blessing

Registration links coming soon.