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A Heritage of New Directions:
Exploring the History and Future of CAPS West
by Deborah L. Smith, PsyD
As an undergraduate student at MidAmerica Nazarene University
(MNU) in 1993, I attended my first CAPS International
conference, Forgiveness in the Heartland in Kansas
City, and was immediately enamored by the idea of a Christian
organization of therapists. Not only were these folks
fascinating to hear, but they were also very approachable,
and many encouraged my pursuit of a graduate education.
I was also very impressed with the whole convention atmosphere—so
much so that, under the guidance of Doug Henning, PhD,
I helped our local Psi Chi chapter create a student version
of the CAPS conference at MNU in 1996. Our theme was In
His Image: Understanding Human Nature Through the Integration
of Psychology and Theology. Seventy-five students
and professionals participated, and—to say the least—I
was pumped!
As a graduate student in 1998, I again caught “CAPS
fever,” but this time I was given the amazing opportunity
to manage the West Regional Conference, The Holy Spirit
and Psychology, which was hosted by Rosemead School
of Psychology. I had a wonderful committee, as well as
the opportunity to work closely with John
Townsend, PhD, and Mack
Goldsmith, PhD. When the last person left campus
that June evening, I was exhausted, as well as reminded
of the reason I had moved to California. Consequently,
I went “underground” for a few years to focus
on my graduate education. However, the prospect of the
CAPS International Convention in Anaheim was just too
much to resist, and I returned briefly from my internship
at the University of Kansas to serve on the convention
committee—this time as Coordinator of Volunteers
with Convention Manager, Brian
Eck, PhD.
CAPS fever seemingly has no antidote. It’s still
hard for me to believe that I now have the privilege of
serving CAPS West as its Regional Director, and—in
case you haven’t figured it out yet—I love
conventions. There’s nothing more exciting than
a house full of company!
As a brand new Regional Director, I’ve invested
most of my energy in learning about the Region—what
works well and identifying potential areas for improvement.
As you can see in this excerpt from The History of
CAPS West (an ongoing document compiled by our leadership),
conventions are a primary component of our heritage. In
fact, it wasn’t long after those first few professionals
started talking until they held a convention!
Since the beginning of psychology as an academic discipline,
there has been a cleavage between the rigorous, scientific
and “hard-headed” psychological discipline
on the one hand and Christian faith on the other. Not
so long ago, contributor Frank Hamilton, PhD, was asked
how it was possible to be a “born-again Christian”
and a psychologist at the same time. The two identities
appeared to the questioner, as to many persons, to be
like oil and water. Not only was psychology in the main
non-religious, it was in part anti-religious and, in
particular, anti-Christian. In America, this was due
to the influence of experimental psychologists such
as Watson, those who followed him, and clinicians such
as Freud. However, in 1952 in Grand Rapids, Michigan,
there was a conference called the “Calvinistic
Conference on Christianity, Psychiatry and Psychology.”
This was the beginning of an organized group which soon
became the Christian Association for Psychological Studies.
CAPS grew and had members spread far and wide geographically
and across theological positions. Its roots were significantly
based in the Christian Reformed and Reformed Church
groups. CAPS was based primarily in the Midwest, even
though there were many Christians interested in psychology
on the western side of the Continental Divide. While
there were a few CAPS members west of the Rockies, there
was no organized group or chapter of CAPS in the region.
In February, 1973, an invitation was extended to Craig
Ellison, PhD, who was at that time a teacher at Westmont
College in Santa Barbara, to join the newly formed National
Advisory Council of CAPS in regard to the then current
emphasis of CAPS towards becoming a nationally representative
organization of Christians who were professionally interested
in psychology. Craig accepted the invitation and felt
that he should actively explore the desires of the Christian
professionals in the Western United States regarding
(a) their desire for any kind of organized affiliation
and (b) which specific form of organization they wished.
Willard Harley, Sr., MA, has in his possession a list
which was a roster of Christians interested in psychiatry
and psychology. That list, combined with a list of names
contributed by CAPS, became the initial mailing list.
Funding for mailing the notice about a “West Coast
Conference of Christian Psychologists/ Counselors”
and others interested in the mental health disciplines
was authorized by Carl Dodrill, PhD, who somehow found
the funds in the Psychology Department at Westmont College.
Thus, in 1973 an initial conference of Christian psychologists
and counselors took place at Westmont. It was primarily
workshop-oriented with addresses by Bruce Narramore,
PhD, and Robert Baker, PhD. Dr. Baker was a CAPS board
member who was flown out from Michigan by CAPS to represent
them. At that conference a provisional board of directors
of the Western Association was named…
…and thus the Western Association of Christians
for Psychological Studies (WACPS; formerly the Western
Association of Christians in the Behavioral Sciences)
was born. To make a long story short, on January 1, 1979,
WACPS joined with CAPS and became CAPS West. Our corporate
purpose is succinctly stated in Article III of the CAPS
International Constitution and Bylaws:
The purpose of CAPS is to promote:
- Study of the integration of Christianity and the behavioral
sciences at both theoretical and applied levels;
- Fellowship among Christians in psychological and
related disciplines;
- The spiritual, emotional and professional well-being
of our members;
- Educational and research opportunities that advance
the mental health disciplines as avenues of ministry
in and to the world.
What a fantastic heritage we have! Our founders were
most definitely headed in new directions, and although
the purpose of CAPS West has not varied, we are also heading
in new directions to better meet the needs of our membership.
CAPS West has always thrived on a sense of Christian community
and the desire to excel in our professions as we work
together to understand the human condition in the light
of Scripture. We have always been a Christian fellowship
that encourages and supports the pursuit of personal and
professional excellence. That will not change, but other
changes are in the air.
Over the past few years, the viability of the historic
convention model at the regional level has been in question,
and the Board of Directors recently voted to cancel the
Sacramento convention. This downward trend in regional
conference interest has been experienced by other CAPS
regions, as well as by other national associations. Although
many national conventions have continued to thrive, economic
concerns and time limitations often prevent us from attending
everything that we’d like to attend, particularly
if additional travel is involved. Consequently, the Board
has been considering new ways to facilitate fellowship
and the sharing of ideas that will help fulfill the purpose
of CAPS. Obviously, CAPS has always been far more than
its conventions, and although change is not easy, moving
in new directions is always very exciting. CAPS West clearly
has heritage of new directions, and many wonderful opportunities
are yet before us.
New directions are on the horizon in the methods we employ
to carry out our purposes. We are beginning to communicate
ever more frequently via electronic mail, and although
our Newsletter has been a standard form of communication
since 1973, plans are underway for the timely development
of a more dynamic web site. New chapters are being formed,
as peer consultation groups, local events, and continuing
education workshops are moving to the forefront of our
organization.
As always, we want to provide excellent programs that
are relevant to Christians in the helping professions.
In addition to including wonderful opportunities for Christian
fellowship and networking, we are striving to make these
events timely, accessible, and affordable for CAPS members
and colleagues throughout the West Region. Consequently,
this exciting new model of operations will be comprised
of a variety of venues and events designed to suit the
needs of clinicians, pastors, and students, as well as
the interests of academicians. More details will follow
soon, so get ready to see some new directions for CAPS
West in 2004!
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