SOE Alum Appointed Associate Director of Faber Center

Released: 9/12/07

[Other School of Education News]

The School of Education is pleased to announce that Dr. Kathy Coffey-Guenther, Counseling and Educational Psychology alumna, will be serving as associate director for the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality.

Kathy received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Marquette University and a certificate in spiritual direction from the Aquinas Institute of Theology.  She has worked in private practice as a psychotherapist and spiritual director integrating psychological and theological paradigms to assist in psycho-spiritual healing.  In addition to her clinical and retreat work, Kathy also serves as a speaker and consultant to religious congregations, clergy and religious, and parishes focusing on the work of community building, conflict resolution and spiritual growth.  At the request of the Archbishop, Kathy currently serves as co-chair on the Community Advisory Board for clergy sexual abuse issues in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.    

Kathy credits the Marquette University Counseling Psychology program with giving her a “foundation in practicing with discipline, integrity, respect, healthy boundaries and ethics. It helped me to develop a strong sense of identity and responsibility to the greater good in my clinical practice. [Faculty] encouraged me to be a critical thinker regarding the research, and also helped me to ground my clinical practice in cura personalis, the care of the whole person.”

With regard to her work at the Center, she says: “After enjoying a very satisfying career as a psychotherapist in clinical practice, my new job at the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality will allow me to help support the greater mission of the University, as well as the integral work the faculty, administrators and staff do in their daily charge to inspire and guide students to be leaders in their call as young women and men in service to others.  I love having the opportunity to talk with faculty, administrators and staff about the role of faith in their life, their call to mission in work and home life, and their developing questions about their personal and religious beliefs. I also love to have the opportunity to learn from other people about their religious and prayer practices that give meaning to their lives.”

The Faber Center is dedicated to providing faculty, administrators, and staff with support and guidance in leading a reflective life.  Located in the Schroeder Health and Education Complex, room 111, it offers retreats, reflection groups, and spiritual direction for faculty, administrators and staff. The Faber Center also maintains a diverse spiritual library for the MU community to enjoy.  For more information, please contact the Center at 414-288-4545.