New IPS students Po-Yee Yeung, Katie Flicker, and Alicia Lamison prepare for a great year.

October 10, 2008. Washington, DC. The Institute for Psychological Sciences (IPS) is starting off the year with a new infusion of energy and enthusiasm, both from the students and the faculty.

Students with a Sense of Mission

The students at IPS feel a special call to Catholic psychology as a way of healing the minds and hearts of their fellow man. Regina Donahue, a 22-year-old graduate of Duquesne University (with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy), said that her choice of the graduate school was born from a sense of calling.

“Before IPS, I began teaching religion at a Catholic high school in Pittsburgh where I opened myself up as a spiritual director. Through this experience, God allowed me to encounter suffering in a very personal way that brought me to a new awareness of the need of an integrated Psychology program, like that of IPS. Christ helped me to realize that he wanted me to help the world in a way that would truly heal them, because they would be led closer to union with his Sacred Heart,” she said.

Regina is one of 24 new incoming students, the largest incoming class in IPS history. During this year alone, IPS increased enrollment by 40%, setting a strong momentum of growth for the future.

IPS’ strong enrollment growth is matched by the strong performance of the students in the results of their academic training.

Five IPS students were chosen to present their papers and moderate panels at the upcoming SCSS Conference (Society of Catholic Social Scientists) on October 24-25, 2008. Topics will include “Developing a Catholic Perspective of Psychology,” “Atheism Quantified:

	IPS faculty member Dr Michael Pakaluk holds his son Mark while talking with IPS student Theresa Mowbray.

Findings from the Psychology of Attachment,” and “Understanding Interdependence through Pope John Paul II’s Anthropology.”

Dr. Gladys Sweeney, the founder of IPS, observed that the SCSS is a “well-known group of academics doing serious work especially in the Social Sciences” and that the students’ participation in the conference “shows that the students’ papers were at a professional level, thus demonstrating the academic excellence of their training.” 

Outstanding Faculty on Board

This year, IPS also welcomed 4 new professors to the faculty. Stephen Hamel, Ph.D., is the new director of the M.S. Clinical program and teaches Cognitive and Behavioral Assessment. Michael Pakaluk, Ph.D., a professor and director of Integration Research, teaches philosophy courses for the integration curriculum. James Flannick, Psy.D., an adjunct professor of Clinical Psychology, is teaching basic interviewing and clinical skills. James Giordano, Ph.D., also an adjunct professor of Clinical Psychology, taught psychopharmacology in the summer and will now be teaching a class on the biological bases of behavior.

In addition, two faculty members have been elected to board positions with prestigious professional organizations. Dr. Michael Donahue was elected for a second 3-year term as Secretary of the APA´s Division of Psychology of Religion.  Dr. William Nordling was elected to serve a second 3-year term on the Board of Directors of the Association for Play Therapy (APT).

Serving the Church

IPS is also actively serving the Church by providing psychological support services for seminary directors. IPS Clinic Director Kathryn Benes, Ph.D., recently attended the National Conference for Diocesan Vocation Directors in Denver, where she talked personally with priests and bishops about how IPS can assist them in their vocational assessments and seminary formation.

Since its foundation in 1997, the Institute for the Psychological Sciences has grown by leaps and bounds, and is currently the foremost graduate program integrating psychological studies with the Catholic faith.