Clergy study day – “Spiritual, Psychological or Both” registration information and survey

Our fall clergy study will address a highly requested topic: Spiritual, Psychological or Both? Problems, Causes and Paths to Healing. Presented by licensed professional counselors Jennifer Madere and Elizabeth Heuertz (bios appear below), the event will take place on Friday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chancery.  Discernment between possible demonic influence and psychological illnesses can be a complex maze to navigate. People are likely to attribute the problem to the source that is most in line with how they wish to see themselves in the world and seek help accordingly. This workshop will offer a practical approach to apply in spiritual direction and confession. Common ways in which people become influenced by the demonic, and symptoms that are commonly (mis)perceived to be spiritual or preternatural will be discussed.  

When situations are severe or long-standing, it is likely that both spiritual and psychological intervention is needed. Asking good questions can help identify the root cause of the problem and when a referral is needed 

To better address the concerns and interests of our archdiocese, the speakers have requested that participants complete a brief survey to help tailor the content to what is most needed and requested. This should take just a few minutes of your time and will assist our speakers in preparing a very informative workshop. Please click the link below to complete the survey.  

Jennifer Madere is the co-founder of a group of Catholic counselors called Intuitus Group, in Cedar Park, Texas. She is an alumna of Benedictine College and graduated from the University of Denver with a master’s degree in counseling psychology in 2005. As a licensed professional counselor and clinical supervisor in the state of Texas, Jennifer specializes in treating issues related to complex trauma and dissociative disorders. She is the past president of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association (CPA) and co-leads the Deliverance and Exorcism Special Interest Group in the organization. This group maintains and publishes a booklet entitled Guidelines for Mental Health Professionals Supporting Persons Seeking Freedom From Possession and other Spiritual Afflictions, which is now in its third edition. She has completed extensive cross-training in the spiritual side of healing with the Pope Leo XIII Institute and the JPII Healing Center. She also trains clinicians in the ethical integration of faith and spirituality in clinical practice and consults with other clinicians and clergy on assessments of mental health issues that presents with spiritual concerns.

Elizabeth Heuertz is a licensed professional counselor and a member of Intuitus Group. She received her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Franciscan University in Steubenville in 2015. She has presented and written on the integration of clients’ personal faith in the treatment of trauma-related symptoms. She specializes in the integration of Catholic anthropology and EMDR in the treatment of trauma, disassociation and relational wounds. She primarily works with Catholic clients, including diaconal candidates, seminarians, women religious and consecrated virgins. Elizabeth has been involved in healing prayer ministry since 2015 and helped to establish a prayer ministry at her parish. She has completed training in prayer ministry through the John Paul II Healing Center and through the Heart of the Father Ministries.   

To register for the clergy study day, please email Amanda Hailey at ahailey@archatl.com. We hope to see you on November 7.