Loyola will host the seventh annual Mid-Year Research Conference on Religion and Spirituality on Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at Loyola College in Maryland’s Columbia Graduate Center, 8890 McGaw Road, Columbia, Md. 21045. The conference is the only one of its kind with this unique focus on the promotion of research in religion and spirituality.

The conference represents a joint partnership between Division 36 (Psychology of Religion) of the American Psychological Association and provides a supportive academic forum where professionals discuss the latest research findings and scientific advances in the field.

Presentation topics and speakers include:

• FRIDAY, APRIL 3; 11 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
  “Religious Dwelling and Spiritual Seeking: Different Pathways, Similar Outcomes”
  Presented by Paul Wink, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Wellesley College, this session will examine how religious beliefs and practices unfold over time and identify the long-term personality characteristics and early life experiences predictive of religious and spiritual engagement in old age.
• FRIDAY, APRIL 3; 3:30 – 5 P.M.
  “How God Changes Your Brain”
  Andrew Newberg, Ph.D., director of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, director of NeuroPET Research and assistant professor in the department of radiology at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, will describe current research exploring the relationship between God, religion and spirituality and the human brain.
• SATURDAY, APRIL 4; 9 – 10:30 A.M.
  “The Human Capacity to Thrive In the Face of Extreme Adversity”
  George Bonannno, Ph.D., a professor of education and psychology at Columbia University, will discuss trauma and resiliency issues. He will define resilience as associated with recovery, and present evidence indicating that resilience is often the most common response among adults exposed to serious adversity.
• SATURDAY, APRIL 4; 1:30 – 3 P.M.
  “Beliefs as Truth Statements: Do They Have a Role in Research on Spirituality?”
  Richard Gorsuch, Ph.D., a researcher in the areas of substance abuse, social psychology, psychology of religion, and statistics, will examine the possible role of religious beliefs as truth statements in research on religion, and spirituality.

PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS
A pre-conference session will be held on Thursday, April 2. The following sessions are still open for registration:

• #1 – Positive Psychology and Spirituality: Clinical and Everyday Applications for Flourishing
  Presented by Joe Ciarrocchi, Ph.D.
  9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• #2 – The Forgiveness Solution to Depression, Anxiety, Hurt, Anger, Guilt and Shame within a Transformation Energetic Model of Healing and Change
  Presented by Philip Friedman, Ph.D.
  1:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• #5 – Spirituality Integrated Psychotherapy
  Presented by Kenneth Pargament, Ph.D.
  Full Day 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• #7 – Jungian Dream Analysis
  Presented by William Sneck, Ph.D.
  Full Day 9:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

For more information, or to register, contact Brenda Helsing at 410-617-7614 or visit www.loyola.edu/pastoralcounseling/myc.