The processes and effects of a training group in clinical pastoral education

• Main Author: Ramsden, William E.
• Language: en_US
• Published: Boston University 2018
• Subjects: Pastoral care; Pastoral education
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/2144/26856

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University. === The need of the Church for pastoral care, including especially pastoral care of groups, and the opportunity in clinical pastoral education for training to meet this need stimulated this study. It was undertaken as a first step in research to develop systematic understanding of small group processes from the pastoral standpoint and to evaluate the training groups which are a regular part of the program in clinical pastoral education at Boston State Hospital. One group of eight members was studied to assess the group's effect on its members and to describe its processes. As foundation for the study four steps were taken. First, the literature was reviewed. The review was comprehensive for evaluation of clinical pastoral education, pastoral care of small groups, and group training in clinical pastoral education. Also reviewed were representative books and articles on group work from the perspectives of religious education and church life. Attention was briefly given to secular disciplines which had influenced pastoral care of groups, especially group psychotherapy, education, and group training [TRUNCATED].