“Psychology Serving Marriage and Family,” the third annual three-day pastoral seminar for clergy and laity in the counseling ministry, was held at Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center in early August.

Sponsored by The Institute for Psychological Sciences (IPS) and co-sponsored by ePriest, an online apostolate serving priests, the conference drew more than 34 attendees — with priests from eight dioceses, including Arlington.

The conference was created as part of the IPS mission to develop and teach Catholic approaches to psychology, serving the universal Church through its outreach and offering graduate and doctoral programs in clinical and general psychology at its campus in Arlington.

Dr. William Nordling, associate professor and chairman of the IPS Department of Psychology, started the conference with the topic: “When Distressed Couples Come for Help: Helpful Skills for the First Meeting.” Father John Hopkins, director of the Center for Family Development in Bethesda, spoke on “Making Marriage Preparation Effective, Profound, and Useful.” IPS president Father Charles Sikorsky presented a talk entitled “Love that is worth fighting for! Canon Law and the Annulment Process.”

Other seminar highlights included the Tuesday evening keynote address given by Washington Auxiliary Bishop Martin D. Holley, “Is There a Need for Exorcism Today?”

Local speakers included Art Bennett, director of the Alpha Omega Clinic with locations in Fairfax, Bethesda and Crownsville, Md., who spoke on “Identifying Common Sexual Compulsions” and “Treating Sexual Compulsions.”

Additional issues addressed related to spiritual guidance and pastoral ministry, including character formation in the family, developing the virtue of chastity for youths and aging with grace.

Find out more

For more info about IPS, go to ipsciences.edu.