Join us for “Spiritually Informed Psychotherapy – Addressing the Domain of Spirituality in a Clinical Context,” a three-day symposium with Pastor Lance Woodley Th.M, LSW, MSW, CGP, and Dr. John Dyben, DHSc, MCAP, CMHP, LCDC, CCS, June 7-9, 2024 at the Hanley Resource Center in West Palm Beach. Days 1 and 2 will include lunch and be from 9:00 AM -4:00 PM; Day 3 will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Participation in the complete three-day program is not only a valuable learning experience, but it also offers significant benefits. You will earn 18 CEUs and have the opportunity to complete a Hanley Foundation Certification in Spiritually Informed Psychotherapy. This certification is awarded after the educational program, 6 post-training consultations (at no charge for those who complete the educational portion), and successful completion of a case presentation.

Meet the Presenters

Pastor Lance Woodley Th.M, LSW, MSW, CGP, is a proud native of Belle Glade, Florida, whose journey embodies a deep commitment to serving others. With a rich background in both pastoral care and mental health therapy, Pastor Lance has dedicated himself to supporting children and families in their times of need.

Drawing upon his expertise in Ministry, Theology, and Spirituality-informed Mental Health Therapy, Pastor Lance has made significant contributions to nonprofit organizations and community development initiatives. As a Professional School & Community-Based Mental Health Therapist, he leverages his dual qualifications—a Master of Theology (Th.M) with a focus on Counseling and Psychology and a Master of Arts in Social Work (MSW) specializing in Children and Families—to provide comprehensive care and support to those he serves.
Before settling in West Palm Beach, Pastor Lance served as Associate and Interim Pastor at Israel Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, while lending his leadership to the Board of Trustees of S.E.L.F, a prominent community action organization. His unwavering dedication to community service was recognized with the prestigious Booker T. Washington “Unsung Hero” award in Hamilton, Ohio.

Pastor Lance continues to make a profound impact in his current role as the Spiritual Care Director for the Hanley Foundation, integrating his extensive experience in the religious sector spanning twenty-four years with nine years of invaluable clinical expertise gained across various settings. His unwavering commitment to holistic care and compassionate service remains steadfast as he uplifts and empowers those he encounters.

Dr. John Dyben, DHSc, MCAP, CMHP, LCDC, CCS, has spent over 30 years in spiritually focused work with institutions and individuals. John’s academic training includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Arts in Conflict Management, Master of Science in Management, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Doctor of Health Science. John has extensive training and experience in healthcare management; family, individual and group counseling; spiritual direction; addictions; public health; and teaching.

John is a Master Certified Addictions Professional and a Certified Mental Health Professional in the State of Florida. He was an adjunct faculty member in the Human Services department at Palm Beach State College for 12 years, and he served on the faculty of the Addiction Professionals Training Institute in West Palm Beach where he taught ethics, clinical skills, and pharmacology.

John speaks regularly to national audiences on a wide range of topics related to ethics, mental health, and spirituality and has presented lectures at Fordham University and the University of North Carolina. In addition to his profession, John is a musician, writer, and a private pilot. He is a husband, father, and grandfather and he enjoys his family more than anything.

About the Presentation

The concept of spirituality has been integral to understanding all aspects of humanity throughout recorded history, regardless of each individual’s religious faith or lack thereof. In modern society, spiritually focused ideas have often been relegated to religious sects or vague quips on T-shirts and bumper stickers that seem meaningful at first glance but which few can explain. 

As a domain of human existence that is demonstrably relevant to overall quality of life, spirituality might be an important element that mental health professionals could be addressing more effectively. This two-and-a-half-day symposium is designed to fill this potential gap, providing counseling and other health professionals with the knowledge and skills to ethically address spiritual issues in a clinical context. 

On day one, we begin by stepping back to remember the most important principles underlying the counseling profession and explore our ethical obligation to be prepared to address spiritual concerns. 

We will explore relevant historical and cultural context and define spirituality in way that is clinically relevant, and something that can be operationalized by anyone. Once a definition of spirituality and our obligation to address related issues is established, the remainder of the weekend will be digging into practical application: the “nuts and bolts” of addressing spiritual issues in counseling.    

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Contextualize the domain of spirituality as one that is relevant for therapists to address in the context of clinical counseling.
• Describe the concept of empowerment as an ethical obligation that requires both action and restraint on the part of health care professionals.
• Define spirituality and spiritual concepts in a way that is culturally relevant and that can be operationalized within a counseling context in order to address this domain with clients or patients effectively. 
• Conduct a spiritual assessment as part of the clinical assessment process.
• Engage in treatment planning and interventions focused on spiritual issues.

Download the flyer by clicking here.

Registration below is required. A limited number of scholarships are available and will be awarded based on need and availability. Please email Allison@hanleyfoundation.org with your name, organization and reason for scholarship to apply.