What does CRPO have to do with Spiritual Care?

I recently read an interesting article by Thomas St. James O'Connor and Elizabeth Meakes (you can access it here). It focuses on emerging spiritual care practices in the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC). One of the practices they describe is a spiritually integrated psychotherapy that is being increasingly recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

CASC is recognized as being the body that oversees the training of chaplains (called 'spiritual care providers' in healthcare (and other) settings in Canada. CASC also provides Mainline Protestant clergy students with practicums for learning pastoral care. 

I'm starting to think more about the influence of pastoral and spiritual care on psychotherapy and vice versa. As such I am developing questions (which will hopefully lead to answers!) about what I see as an evolution of healthcare chaplaincy and pastoral education within CASC. While the organization started out training and educating Christian pastors and pastoral counselors in clinical settings, over the past twenty years CASC has increasingly become a multi-faith, psychotherapeutic profession. 

The questions that are starting to emerge for me are related to the role of CASC in pastoral formation for those who plan to serve in congregational settings. For example, What does CRPO have to do with spiritual care? How does formation in a multi-faith, psychotherapeutic context shape one's understanding and service in the office of pastor/minister of a congregation? And, what is gained for the clergy student when there is greater alignment with a secular agency (CRPO)? Conversely, what is lost? 

I'm at the beginning of this inquiry. I suspect more of my future posts reveal additional questions and responses. Stay tuned!