SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS IN CHRONIC ILLNESS
An Eight-Week Online Certificate Course
10/24/22 - 12/17/22

When facing chronic illness, which is a deep and persisting loss, we cannot separate psychology from spirituality, nor can we isolate the personal and social impact of chronic illness. Regardless of one’s belief system or image of God, the grieving that accompanies eroding illness can bring up existential questions. A Christian might wonder, “Why would a loving god let this happen?” or “Is God punishing me?” An SBNR person (Spiritual But Not Religious) might ask, “What am I supposed to learn from this experience?” An atheist might question whether painful events are truly random, or if there is some deeper purpose to our challenges and losses.  This course will address the internal and external intersectionality of life for those who are living with a chronic illness, and for the family members and professional care team that supports them.

 

This class is rooted in the study of psychology and its intersection with spirituality. Through class discussions, visual presentations, case examples, interactive exercises and group work, students will become familiar with worldviews, ancient and contemporary wisdom, and spiritual interpretations of illness. Students will also be introduced to practical skills that healthcare practitioners, clergy, spiritual directors, counselors, caregivers and others can apply to their work with the chronically ill and their families.

This course will be taught via online learning,
with occassional (optional) Zoom meetings.

 

What You Will Learn:  

  • Understanding chronic illness through degrees of function, age, and type of illness.
  • Types of losses experienced by the chronically ill and their loved ones.
  • Best practices for addressing spiritual issues resulting from chronic illness.
  • Psychological, spiritual, social and political issues.
  • The impact of traumatic childhood experiences on chronic illness.
  • Family dynamics relating to living with/caring for the chronically ill.
  • The intersection of spirituality and psychology related to chronic illness and grief.
  • Dealing with the medical establishment during chronic illness

 

This class is offered through the Certificate in Spirituality and Mental Health program
at The University of Redlands. For information on the program, click HERE

TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE:

1. Click HERE for the registration page

2. Scroll down the page to the  "Spiritual Journeys in Chronic Illness" course.  

3. Click the "enroll now" button.

Course Instructor


Terri Daniel, DMin, CT, CCTP

Dr. Daniel is a hospice and hospital-trained inter-spiritual clinical chaplain and end-of-life educator. She is certified in death, dying and bereavement by the Association of Death Education and Counseling, and in trauma support by the International Association of Trauma Professionals.  She conducts workshops throughout the U.S. and teaches in the chaplaincy program at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California and in the thanatology program at Marian University.  Terri  is also the founder of The Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, and the Ask Doctor Death podcast. She is also the author of four books on death, grief and the afterlife.

Over the years Terri has helped hundreds of people learn to live, die and grieve more consciously. Her work is  acclaimed  by hospice professionals, spiritual seekers, therapists theologians, and academics worldwide.

Terri has a BA in Religious Studies from Marylhurst University, an MA in Pastoral Care from Fordham University, and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the San Francisco Theological Seminary.

 

Contact Terri: 

503.957.7419
terri@danieldirect.net