Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program in eastern Pennsylvania

CPE Training for Ministry in Senior Care Settings

Phoebe Ministries is accredited as a Center for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.

The CPE program is designed to offer clergy, seminary students, and qualified community members of all faiths the opportunity to practice ministry to senior adults in a variety of settings, including nursing homes and retirement communities.

Rev. Gina Harvey is the ACPE Certified Educator for Phoebe’s CPE Program. Rev. Harvey is a member of ACPE’s National Faculty and a Board-Certified Chaplain through APC.

The CPE program at Phoebe Ministries is fully accredited by:

The Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.,
1 Concourse Pkwy, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30328

Telephone: 404-320-1472
Website: www.acpe.edu

Upcoming Clinical Pastoral Education Classes:

“Phoebe Ministries offers individual CPE units (Level 1 and 2) twice annually: extended fall/spring and a summer intensive.

Summer Intensive CPE Unit – 2026

Dates: June 1 – August 15, 2026
Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

This is a full-time CPE unit focused on learning and clinical service at Phoebe Ministries communities in eastern Pennsylvania, serving the greater Lehigh Valley and Berks County region. Students serve as Chaplain Interns at one of Phoebe’s locations, which may include Phoebe Allentown, Phoebe Richland, Chestnut Ridge at Rodale, or Phoebe Berks. Classes meet in person twice each week, rotating among Phoebe locations.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged for full consideration.

Fall–Spring Extended CPE Unit – 2026–2027

Dates: October 5, 2026 – May 1, 2027
Application Deadline: August 30, 2026

This is a part-time CPE unit requiring approximately 11 clinical hours per week and an average of 4 hours of class time weekly. Students learn together and provide clinical service at Phoebe Ministries communities in eastern Pennsylvania, serving the greater Lehigh Valley and Berks County region. Students serve as Chaplain Interns at one of Phoebe’s locations, which may include Phoebe Allentown, Phoebe Richland, Chestnut Ridge at Rodale, or Phoebe Berks. Classes meet one time each week.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged for full consideration.

Clinical Pastoral Education Information

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an interfaith program that prepares people for professional spiritual care through real-life experience and thoughtful reflection. Students and faith leaders from many traditions—pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, and others—offer caregiving presence in settings such as hospitals, senior living communities, and nonprofit organizations.

At Phoebe Ministries, CPE students serve as chaplain interns, working alongside staff chaplains to provide emotional and spiritual support to residents across our continuum of care. This includes healthcare centers, personal care, independent living, and memory support communities.

A unit of ACPE-accredited CPE consists of 400 total hours, including 300 hours of clinical spiritual care and 100 hours of group education. As students walk alongside people in times of need, they reflect on these encounters with the support of peers and educators. Through this process, they grow in self-awareness, deepen their understanding of those they serve, and discover new ways of offering spiritual care. As part of interdisciplinary care teams, students also develop strong skills in communication, collaboration, and compassionate presence.

The Clinical Pastoral Education Program of Phoebe Ministries will not discriminate against applicants based on gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion/faith group, ethnic/national origin, or disability.

Field Education Opportunities in Pastoral Education

Staff chaplains and clergy in administrative roles offer supervision in various field education opportunities at Phoebe Ministries. Students may learn about chaplaincy by developing skills in leading worship, visitation, spiritual assessment, life review, and end-of-life care, or they may explore other areas of ministry, such as nursing home administration and Institutional Advancement. Students are encouraged to design their unique learning programs to meet the requirements of their respective seminaries.

For more information, please contact:

Rev. Gina Harvey
Regional Director Pastoral Care Services
[email protected]
610-794-5119