PrairieFire: A Program of Spiritual Renewal and Formation

PrairieFire is designed for people who desire to live each day prayerfully and intentionally, who long to respond fully to God's call. All who seek companionship in their spiritual journeying are encouraged to apply. Current participants include clergy and chaplains, counselors and social workers, healthcare professionals, spiritual directors, parish nurses, Stephen Ministers, hospice staff and lay persons.

PrairieFire is a two-year program that meets monthly, September through June, in Des Moines. Grounded in the Christian contemplative tradition, the classes will feature didactic and experiential elements. A new PrairieFire group is forming for fall 2010.

PrairieFire also offers an optional third year practicum experience leading to a certificate in the ministry of spiritual direction. Those participating in the practicum will make periodic visits to the Sophia Center, a well-established ecumenical program for spiritual formation offered by the Benedictine Sisters in Atchison, Kansas.

Kathy Reardon, RN, MS, and Kay Riley, MA, are the Co-Directors of PrairieFire.
Contact J. Jeffrey Means, M.Div., Ph.D., at the Center to request an application packet (274-4006 or jmeans@dmpcc.org).

PrairieFire Recommendation Form

PrairieFire Cover Letter

PrairieFire Application Form

PrairieFire Program Information

Continuing Education Classes/Workshops

Continuing Education Classes are designed for religious and mental health professionals. Classes generally run 10 weeks for a total of 15 hours of continuing education. Participants meet on Fridays from 8:15 – 9:45 a.m. at the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center. Classes are offered on a rotating basis and are taught by members of the Center's clinical staff. The following classes/workshops are currently planned:

FALL 2010 Course Offering
The Fall 2010 course offering will meet for ten (10) weeks.
This course provides 15 hours toward the continuing education requirements of the Iowa Board of Social Work Examiners and the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science Examiners.

An Introduction to Self Psychology ~ a 10-week course

Professional Education Programs in Counseling and Psychotherapy

The Psychotherapy Institute of Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is devoted to providing professional learning experiences in psychotherapy. The Institute's faculty and supervisory staff is composed of pastoral counselors, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed independent social workers, marriage and family therapists, child psychologists, and licensed mental health counselors. We also have staff members who specialize in spiritual direction and healing touch, sex therapy, and career counseling. Staff members speak the language of object relations theory as that is informed by self psychology, trauma theory, and systems theory. This orientation enables us to focus on the systemic and intra-psychic dimensions of human problems. We are committed to a view of healing that includes questions of meaning and not merely symptom relief, a desire to help clients find voice for all their concerns, and a respect for the complex integration of body, mind, and soul within all persons.

The Institute currently offers the following post-graduate programs:

Residency Program in Psychotherapy

This intense professional learning experience is designed to benefit those persons who have completed graduate level programs in religion and/or mental health related fields and wish to develop good psychotherapy skills.

This program provides an excellent learning and practice environment designed around a model of professional formation. This model emphasizes the integration of knowledge and skill with the personal and professional identity of each person in training. Attention is also given to the integration of one’s spiritual/faith/value commitments with his/her theory and practice of psychotherapy.

This program is designed as a two-year clinical experience with strong didactic and supervision components. Key components of the program include: individual and group supervision, intake staffing consultation groups, interdisciplinary case conferences, theological reflection conferences, a professional formation group, ongoing seminars on topics related to the theory and practice of psychotherapy, and periodic evaluations of progress toward one’s own learning objectives.

A third year is optional upon recommendation of the supervisory staff and faculty. The program requires about 20 hours of work per week, including a full day and a half each week at the Center. Participants see clients at the Center. Tuition is $4,000 per year.

The Institute is proud to have a working relationship with the University of Iowa School of Social Work and the Illinois and Minnesota Schools of Professional Psychology. In addition, our affiliation with Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary enables interested students to pursue a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy.

For additional information, contact Lisa Streyffeler, Ph.D., Director of Professional Education at (515) 274-4006, or email: lstreyffeler@dmpcc.org

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Pastoral Care Specialist Program

The Center is once again proud to offer the Pastoral Care Specialist Program, a competency-enhancing two-year program designed for the professional development and renewal of pastors, chaplains, and other persons involved in ministries of pastoral care. The program provides an enriching blend of psychology and theology, as well as theory and practice, while encouraging the sharing of learned lessons.

Participants meet once each month to learn about areas critical to effective pastoral care, and to receive support, encouragement, and consultation on their work. Participants can solidify what they already do well and integrate new knowledge and skills into their ministries. Seminar topics vary each year.

This year’s program begins the second Tuesday of September (September 14, 2010) and runs through the second Tuesday of June (June 14, 2011). Participants meet from 8:45 a.m. to noon. Tuition for the program is $500 for each of the two years. Registration is limited. The deadline for registrations is September 3, 2010.

For those who qualify, this program is designed to meet some of the requirements for certification by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors as a Pastoral Care Specialist. Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary also offers academic credit for participation in the program for those enrolled in its Doctor of Ministry Program in Theology and Leadership.

For additional information or to obtain a registration form, contact J. Jeffrey Means, M.Div., Ph.D., at (515) 274-4006 or jmeans@dmpcc.org.

Pastoral Care Specialist Schedule for 2010-2011

Ministry to Men
Presenters: Lowell Houts, D.Min.

How We Develop as Persons
Presenter: J. Jeffrey Means, M. Div., Ph.D.

Stages of Marriage
Presenter: Eileen Burtle, M.A.

Evil in Everyday Life
Presenter: J. Jeffrey Means, M.Div., Ph.D.

Working Constructively with Conflict
Presenter: Lola Peters, L.M.H.C.
J. Jeffrey Means, M. Div., Ph.D.

Understanding the Needs of the Elderly
Presenter: Rebecca Monsma, M.S.W., L.I.S.W.

Living with Illness and Chronic Pain: From Adversity to Transformation
Presenter: Diane Glass, Spiritual Director

Ministry to LGBT Community
Presenter: Susan Houts, M.S.W., L.I.S.W.

The Three "A's": Affect, Attachment, and Addiction
Presenter: J. Jeffrey Means, M. Div., Ph.D.

Models of Spiritual Care and Reflections on the Year
Presenter: Kathy Reardon, R.N., M.S.
J. Jeffrey Means, M. Div., Ph.D.

Participant comments about the Pastoral Care Specialist Program:

“The Pastoral Care Specialist Program provides valuable insights into dimensions and nuances of ministry for the practitioner. The casual professional setting allows for candid discussion among peers and experts. The course’s usefulness is evident for the novice as well as the seasoned veteran.”

“The Pastoral Care Specialist Program gives you a wider view of the struggle of God’s people and provides guidance on how we can better help our brothers and sisters as they respond to life’s fragility.”

"What I found most valuable about the program:
~ Presentations by specialists
~ The opportunity to ask questions
~ Suggested reading lists
~ Writing my reflections
~ Feedback on reflections”

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