Spirituality can have a profound effect upon the physical, mental and emotional well-being of people's lives. Spiritual support and resources can have an important role in our journey toward healing.
Religious Community Visitors are one of many partners offering comfort and care across Alberta. These visitors play a valued role in the healing process by maintaining a connection to a patient's religious community. As a source of support during what can be a difficult time, Religious Community Visitors also help the patient by providing access to rites and rituals from their religious community.
Successful applicants will be registered with Alberta Health Services as a designated Religious Community Visitor and will be issued an identification badge to be worn in Region facilities when on official visits on behalf of a religious community.
As part of the application process, a face to face orientation session geared specifically towards being an AHS Religious Community Visitor (RCV) is offered by Spiritual Care Services. The applicant will receive an email from Volunteer Resources inviting them to AHS RCV orientation sessions offered, once they have completed the rest of the application process.
The Alberta Consortium for Supervised Psycho-spiritual Education offers both unit and course-based spiritual care education programs. Placements for Clinical Psycho-spiritual Education (CPE) are within healthcare and community settings of the Calgary and Edmonton areas. All Alberta CPE programs are offered according to the certification standards of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care/Association canadienne de soins spirituels (CASC/ACSS).
Clinical Psycho-spiritual Education (CPE) is an experience-based approach to learning practical skills and competencies for ministry. It combines qualified supervision and group reflection with clinical learning about spiritual health care. CPE programs are open to ordained and lay persons studying in theological education. As well, students in other disciplines who seek to learn in the field of spiritual assessment and care, and are keen to walk in the shoes of spiritual care practitioners, are welcome to apply. CPE aims to assist learners in achieving their full personal, vocational and professional potential.
Supervisor Educators offer programs of CPE at educational centers throughout Canada, each is administered in keeping with educational and clinical opportunities. Students learn about spiritual health care in general, pediatric, psychiatric, and long-term care health facilities, correctional centers, and a variety of community based locations. Each educational program is connected to a theological college. Supervisor Educators are certified by CASC/ACSS.
Note: Dependent upon student numbers and Supervisor-Educator availability. Dates and times may change without notice.
International Students should apply well in advance of their desired program as it can take up to six months to obtain a Student Visa to study abroad.
Contact: Email Certified Supervisor-Educator Kathy Marshall-Spate if you have any questions: kathy.marshall-spate@ahs.ca
Extended CPE Unit (Calgary & Edmonton) 2025-2026
Intensive Fall CPE Unit (Calgary) 2025
Intensive Spring CPE Unit (Calgary & Edmonton) 2025
Winter Intensive CPE Unit (Calgary) 2025 (In-Progress)
Extended CPE Unit (Calgary & Edmonton) 2024-2025 (In-Progress)
Rural Fall Extended CPE Unit 2024-2025 (In-Progress)
There are four steps in the application and screening process.
Step One
Contact one of the Alberta Intake Supervisor-Educators with any questions you may have:
Step Two
Download and complete the Application Form. Compile all required documents listed in the application form. Submit this material to Kathy or Darlene, whichever CPE Intake Supervisor-Educator is closest to you geographically.
Step Three
Applicants are notified that their application has been received. Following the application deadline listed on the website, those selected to be interviewed will be notified, and those not selected will also be notified.
Step Four
If you are invited to a screening interview, you will have an opportunity to meet a team of people who teach in the CPE program. The interview is a two-way process. You are discerning whether you want to move forward in CPE and the team is discerning your suitability for the next available CPE program.
Application Information
If you are accepted to a CPE program, you will need to complete Step Five and Step Six as well.
With either Ambrose University Seminary or St. Stephen's College.
Step Five
Following your screening interview, if you are selected to participate in the next available CPE program, you will receive a Letter of Offer from the Supervisor-Educator. You need to have this letter before you can register at either Ambrose (for a CPE Unit) or St. Stephen's (for a Course-Base CPE Practicum).
Step Six
Upon receipt of the Letter of Offer, you must register for CPE at one of the two designated Theological Colleges. In your letter, you will be instructed to register for 'SC 715/716: CPE Unit' through Ambrose University, Calgary, or for 'CPE 5889: Course-Based CPE Practicum' through St. Stephen's College, Edmonton. (Note: Wherever you are located geographically, you will still need to register through either Ambrose for a CPE Unit or St. Stephen's for a Course-Based CPE Practicum; academic credits for all CPE program offerings are transferrable to your College, Seminary or University).
Cost of both a CPE Unit and a Course-Based CPE Practicum are the same – i.e. $2,800. This fee is payable with registration. Successful completion of a CPE (unit or course-based practicum) will gain students up 6 academic credits at a Theological College.
Contact one the following Intake Supervisor-Educators for more information about both CPE Unit and Course-Based CPE Practicum program offerings:
Rev. Kathy Marshall-Spate, Certified Supervisor-Educator,
Intake Supervisor, Calgary & Southern Alberta
c/o Spiritual Care Services
Foothills Medical Centre
1403 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 2T9
Phone: 403-944-0945
kathy.marshall-spate@ahs.ca
Dr. Darlene Pranke, Provisional Supervisor-Educator
Intake CPE Supervisor-Educator, Edmonton & northern Alberta
c/o St. Stephen's College
8810 – 112 Street
Edmonton, AB T6G 2J6
Phone: 587-785-1536
darlene.pranke@covenanthealth.ca
