My most popular post on this blog, far beyond the rest, has been the Level II CPE Learning Goals I set for myself for the second unit of my residency. With that in mind, I’m aware some may find it useful to see some examples of learning goals I wrote for Level I, back in September 2017 at the start of the first unit of my residency, before I had even started this blog. What amazes me as I look back a year later is not only my growth, but how I am still working on these same goals now. That, in short, is what characterizes a good learning goal for CPE: the goal may be met, but it will never be over and done with; it’s part of a continuous process of learning that will follow far beyond the CPE program.

CPE Unit I Learning Contract (for Level I Learning Outcomes)

September 6, 2017

PASTORAL FORMATION GOAL: I will strive to directly and proactively seek help from others when needed.

Reason for choosing this goal: I hate asking for help, even when I need it. I don’t like looking incompetent or inconveniencing others. This can lead me to try to figure problems out on my own rather than ask questions or request assistance, often resulting in prolonged anxiety, worry, and confusion. In fact, I think this tendency limits my ability to be a competent and fully engaged member of a team.

Objectives: I will make an effort to be more proactive in drawing on help and guidance from supervisors, peers, and hospital staff whenever I am unsure or need clarification on something. When applicable, I will use supervision to reflect on the inner dialogue that holds me back from seeking help and how this connects to my self-understanding of my pastoral role.

Evaluation: My peers and supervisors will give me feedback on whether they have actually observed me asking questions and seeking help. In self-reflection, I will be able to affirm my increased readiness to ask for assistance when needed. I will use my verbatim conferences to direct peers and supervisors to what I most need help with.

How I might sabotage myself: I may avoid situations where I anticipate I will likely need to ask for help.

PASTORAL COMPETENCE GOAL: I will reflect on my own pastoral theology surrounding mental illness.

Reason for choosing this goal: In my own experience, working and having relationships with those with mental illness can bring on feelings of fear, uncertainty, and helplessness. I desire to have a better understanding of various issues surrounding mental illness as well as to articulate what it means to welcome the stranger when the person is mentally ill.

Objectives: I will utilize available resources—literature, staff, etc.—to enhance my understanding of mental health issues and attempt to integrate this into my visits with patients, as evidenced in my verbatim seminars. I will connect my verbatim with psychiatric patients to theological reflection, paying special attention to my own feelings, concerns, discomforts, and joys about ministering to the mentally ill.

Evaluation: With increasing clarity, I will be able to articulate, through verbatim conferences and supervision, my pastoral role in ministering to people with mental illness.

How I might sabotage myself: I might rely on the voices of experts rather than invest in the self-reflection and vulnerability needed to make my theology my own.

PASTORAL REFLECTION GOAL: I will seek to claim my own pastoral authority in my work with patients.

Reason for choosing this goal: I’m aware of my tendency to avoid taking risks in pastoral care and want to more fully embrace my own agency in the service of people.

Objectives: In writing each verbatim, I will seek to identify instances where I claimed my pastoral authority and the outcomes. In verbatim conferences, I will seek further input from peers on how I have demonstrated authority. I will use supervision to reflect on the thoughts and fears that hold me back from taking appropriate risks and how to replace these with different actions.

Evaluation: My verbatim reports will demonstrate an increased readiness to take appropriate risks and my verbatim reflections will articulate a clearer understanding of how I used my unique pastoral authority in that situation.

How I might sabotage myself: I may avoid being open about instances where I missed an opportunity to provide pastoral care because I was afraid or unconfident. Or, I may focus on the negative and not pay adequate attention to instances where I used my unique agency to serve others.