Evaluating Gestalt Pastoral Care Spiritually Integrated Strategies
for Clinical Effectiveness
What is "Grace Examined"?
The Grace Examined research study, administered by Brigham Young University and funded through the Templeton Foundation, was conducted from 2018 through 2020. Grace Examined evaluated Gestalt Pastoral Care Spiritually Integrated Strategies For Clinical Effectiveness.
What is Gestalt Pastoral Care?
The theologically and theoretically integrated modality of Gestalt Pastoral Care was founded by the Rev. Tilda Norberg. Combining spiritual companioning, healing prayer and gestalt experiments, GPC employs the following strategies which were the core of the research: foundational belief that God is always urging us towards greater wholeness; discernment; faith imagination; gathered church; prayer, laying on of hands, & anointing; and personal faith rituals.
Who were the research team participants?
In fulfillment of the grant, the research team was led by Michael Crabtree, Ph.D. and Professor in the Department of Psychology at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA. Other multidisciplinary team members included: Benjamin Seltzer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Washington and Jefferson College; Michelle Zechner, Ph.D., L.S.W., C.P.R.P., Assistant Professor at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; Wanda D. Craner, M.Div., President of Board, Gestalt Pastoral Care Associates, Inc., Gestalt Pastoral Care Minister and Trainer; Sylvia Crocker, Ph.D., Gestalt Psychotherapist and Author; Mary T. O’Neill, BCC-S, D. Min., President of National Association of Catholic Chaplains; and David Janvier, M.A., L.P.C.,C.S.T., Gestalt Pastoral Care Minister (Site Manager).
The practitioners for the study include pastors, coaches and licensed therapists, trained in Gestalt Pastoral Care, practicing in numerous locations in the United States: Rev. Tilda Norberg, M.Div. GPCM; Rev. Sara Goold, M.Div., GPCM; Rev.Wanda Craner, M.Div., GPCM; Rev. Betty Voigt, M.Div., GPCM; Rev. Linda Thomas, M.A.; Rev. Clarejean Haury, M.Div., GPCM; Alexandra MacCracken, ICF-ACC, GPCM; David Janvier, MA, LPC, CST, GPCM; and Tom Nowak, LPC, NCC, CAADC
The practitioners for the study include pastors, coaches and licensed therapists, trained in Gestalt Pastoral Care, practicing in numerous locations in the United States: Rev. Tilda Norberg, M.Div. GPCM; Rev. Sara Goold, M.Div., GPCM; Rev.Wanda Craner, M.Div., GPCM; Rev. Betty Voigt, M.Div., GPCM; Rev. Linda Thomas, M.A.; Rev. Clarejean Haury, M.Div., GPCM; Alexandra MacCracken, ICF-ACC, GPCM; David Janvier, MA, LPC, CST, GPCM; and Tom Nowak, LPC, NCC, CAADC
What methodologies were utilized?
Beginning in September 2018, ten GPC practitioners began collecting data using the Bridges Consortium data collection protocol. Data collection produced 356 unique individuals participating in the study with 1,150 data entries, suggesting an average of three data entries per subject.
The study was conducted by independent principal investigator Michael Crabtree, Ph.D. from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, employing a practice-based research design. This is the first study regarding the clinical effectiveness of the GPC modality.
The study was conducted by independent principal investigator Michael Crabtree, Ph.D. from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, employing a practice-based research design. This is the first study regarding the clinical effectiveness of the GPC modality.
Who were the study participants?
Participants included three groups:
• One group (N = 125) was made up of individuals who were
individual clients of certified Gestalt Pastoral Care practitioners.
These individuals typically met with their practitioner for one-hour
sessions.
• The second group (N = 199) was made up of individuals who
participated in an intensified 1 to 2-day retreat where Gestalt
Pastoral Care was the primary form of intervention.
• The third group (N = 32) was made up of individuals who were
participants in ongoing group therapy.
• One group (N = 125) was made up of individuals who were
individual clients of certified Gestalt Pastoral Care practitioners.
These individuals typically met with their practitioner for one-hour
sessions.
• The second group (N = 199) was made up of individuals who
participated in an intensified 1 to 2-day retreat where Gestalt
Pastoral Care was the primary form of intervention.
• The third group (N = 32) was made up of individuals who were
participants in ongoing group therapy.
What have the results indicated?
The study utilized empirically validated scales revealing that both individual sessions and group retreats (called Opening to Grace) produced unequivocally positive results showing significant reductions in: depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms and spiritual issues.
We are delighted that the results confirm what we've been witnessing for over 35 years. The narrative commentaries, verbal affirmations, and written feedback have overwhelmingly indicated that GPC is a powerful and meaningful way to work with persons for healing and growth.
"GPC has been recently hailed as “Holy Spirit inspired, and scientifically validated” -- Michael Crabtree, Principal Investigator, Washington & Jefferson College
For more detailed information, please see the following presentation prepared by the GPC Research Team & Ministers/Trainers at the conclusion of the study during the "Bridges Consortium Capstone Conference March 19-20, 2020".
"GPC has been recently hailed as “Holy Spirit inspired, and scientifically validated” -- Michael Crabtree, Principal Investigator, Washington & Jefferson College
For more detailed information, please see the following presentation prepared by the GPC Research Team & Ministers/Trainers at the conclusion of the study during the "Bridges Consortium Capstone Conference March 19-20, 2020".