Social Justice Speaker Series Presents
Disruption, Recovery, Religion and the Value of Crisis
Presenter: Wouter Kusters, PhD
Date & Time: Â Thursday, August 27th, 2026 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM EDT
Location: Live Via Zoom (Zoom Link: Emailed with ticket)
Cost:
FREE to attend
FREE CE for CPA Members (Log in to your account to access the discount!)
$15.00 CE Processing Fee for Non-members
Continuing Education: Â Eligible for 1.0 CE
Webinar will be recorded (recording not eligible for CE)
Abstract:
This presentation examines contemporary perspectives on psychosis, recovery, spirituality, and meaning-making through the integration of lived experience, phenomenological scholarship, philosophy, and clinical literature. Drawing on first-person accounts and interdisciplinary research, the presenter will critically examine prevailing recovery-oriented models and explore their strengths and limitations in understanding psychotic experiences. Particular attention will be given to how psychological, philosophical, and spiritual frameworks can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of disruption, recovery, and human flourishing.
Participants will explore the role of therapeutic relationships, communication, and meaning-making when working with individuals who experience psychosis, including the potential relevance of spiritual and existential themes in assessment and treatment. The presentation will also examine how phenomenological perspectives may complement traditional clinical approaches and inform person-centered care while remaining attentive to professional ethics, cultural considerations, and individual differences.
This intermediate-level program is appropriate for doctoral-level psychologists and other behavioral health professionals who assess and treat individuals experiencing psychosis. The presentation critically evaluates recovery models, integrates phenomenological scholarship with clinical literature, and explores how these perspectives may complement evidence-based psychological assessment and intervention to support ethical, person-centered care.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Describe at least three principles for communicating with individuals experiencing psychosis that support collaborative, person-centered clinical relationships.
- Identify at least two strengths and two limitations of contemporary recovery-oriented models as discussed from phenomenological and philosophical perspectives.
- Explain at least two ways that spiritual or existential themes may influence the assessment, treatment, or recovery process for individuals experiencing psychosis, consistent with culturally responsive and ethically informed psychological practice.
Research Citations
Feyaerts, J., & Kusters, W. (2021). Uncovering the realities of delusional experience in schizophrenia: A qualitative phenomenological study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(9), 784–796.
Kusters, W. (2020). A Philosophy of Madness. The Experience of Psychotic Thinking. MIT Press.
Kusters, W. (2023). On understanding madness: A paradoxical view. Philosophical Psychology, 36(8), 1521–1542.
Presenter Biography
Wouter Kusters studied linguistics and philosophy, and was awarded a PhD for his research into language change in 2003. He subsequently published books on psychosis, or, as Kusters puts it, madness. In 2004, he wrote *Pure Madness: A Quest for the Psychotic Experience*. In 2007, he published *Alone: Messages from the Isolation Cell*, and in 2014 his magnum opus, A Philosophy of Madness: The Experience of Psychotic Thinking, was published. The English edition was released in 2020, the Arabic edition in 2022, and the Chinese translation is due to be published this year.
Post-Webinar Evaluation Form:
Post-webinar evaluation form will be provided during the event and must be completed prior to receiving a Continuing Education (CE) certificate.
ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: CPA complies with applicable accessibility requirements and will make reasonable accommodations for participants with disabilities whenever possible. Requests should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the program to allow sufficient time for arrangements.
APA APPROVED SPONSOR OF CONTINUING EDUCATION:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for the program and its content. CE credit is awarded only to participants who are registered and attend the entire program. For in-person programs, participants must sign in and sign out to verify attendance. For virtual programs, participants must join using their full name so attendance can be accurately verified. Participants must also complete the program evaluation. CE certificates will be emailed within four weeks after the event once attendance and evaluation completion have been verified.
Under Connecticut regulations, APA-approved continuing education is explicitly recognized for psychologists, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs). Â For Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), APA is generally considered a nationally recognized organization but not specifically an approved provider under Connecticut regulations. LCSWs who attend CPA programs will receive an official CE certificate documenting their completed hours; however, acceptance of those credits for license renewal is determined by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. LCSWs are encouraged to consult the Connecticut Department of Public Health or NASW-CT if they have questions about whether a particular CE activity meets their licensure requirements.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY: Participants may direct questions to CPA by email at info@connpsych.org or by phone at (860) 404-0333. Registrants may cancel their registration and receive a full refund if the cancellation request is received at least 14 days prior to the program date. Cancellations received within 14 days of the program are eligible for a refund less a $30 administrative fee. (The administrative fee does not apply to Social Justice Speaker Series programs.) No refunds will be issued for cancellations received within 48 hours of the program start time. If CPA cancels a program or a presenter is unable to deliver the program as scheduled, registrants may either transfer their registration to the rescheduled program or receive a full refund.
CPA GRIEVANCE POLICY:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is committed to conducting all continuing education (CE) activities in accordance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists, the APA Standards and Criteria for Approval of Sponsors of Continuing Education, and all applicable federal and state laws. CPA is committed to providing an educational environment that is respectful, accessible, and free from discrimination in its promotional activities, educational content, and treatment of participants, presenters, and volunteers.
Although CPA strives to anticipate and resolve concerns promptly, participants may occasionally have grievances related to a continuing education activity. Â Participants are encouraged to communicate concerns as soon as possible so they may be addressed promptly. Informal concerns may be discussed with CPA staff during or immediately following a program whenever appropriate. Â Participants should direct concerns to the Chair of Continuing Education or the Executive Director by email to executivedirector@connpsych.org. Participants seeking formal review or corrective action should review our full CPA Grievance Policy for further instruction.
