The fifth Conference on Human Formation convenes leading experts in psychology and formation to offer timely, practical insights on navigating challenging personalities in discernment and formation for diocesan and religious life.
Cosponsored by Saint Luke Institute and Saint Meinrad Archabbey, Seminary and School of Theology.
Join leaders from around the world as we learn and pray together. The $675 registration fee includes conference materials, meals and a single room on campus. Double occupancy is $575 per person. The rate for participants who arrange their own off-site housing is $400.
Address: 200 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, IN, 47577. St. Meinrad, IN, is served by two airports, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Evansville (IN) Regional Airport (EVV). The closest airport is in Louisville, KY, and it is just over an hour away from St. Meinrad. Please note that Saint Meinrad and Evansville are on Central time, while Louisville and Ferdinand, IN, are on Eastern time.
A shuttle service from and to the Louisville airport is available on a first come, first served basis. Shuttle reservations are $90 each way and can be purchased at checkout. Dash-a-Ride is a local company that also provides airport transportation. Visit their website to learn more.
Registration will open at 2 pm on Monday, August 31. The conference will wrap up around noon on Thursday, September 3.
Participants stay in private rooms (double or single occupancy as indicated on the registration form) on campus at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, Seminary and School of Theology. As of mid-February 2026, we have reached full capacity for on-campus housing. Participants can now register at the commuter rate and arrange their own housing at nearby hotels. We recommend the Comfort Inn in nearby Ferdinand, Indiana, and have reserved a block of rooms under the name Saint Luke Institute. Call (812) 998-2121 to reserve a room.
Visit the Saint Meinrad Archabbey, Seminary and School of Theology visitor's page for more information. If you would like to extend your stay please contact us to reserve and arrange additional payment.
If you have specific dietary, mobility or other needs, please let us know on your registration form or contact us.
Download the conference program (PDF).
All times noted are Central time.
Monday | August 31
2:00 p.m. Registration/check-in opens (Guest House)5:00 p.m. Vespers in Archabbey Church5:30 p.m. Dinner (Newman Dining Room)6:30 p.m. Welcome and keynote address (St. Bede Theater)7:45 p.m. Cocktail Reception (Alumni Commons)
Tuesday | September 1
7:30 a.m. Mass with Benedictine Community in the Archabbey Church8:15 a.m. Buffet breakfast (Newman Dining Room)9:00 a.m. Plenary 1: What Are Personality Disorders? (St. Bede Theater)10:15 a.m. Break10:45 a.m. WorkshopsUnderstanding Narcissism (St. Bede Theater) Understanding Avoidant & Dependent Personalities (Rm. 502) Intersectionality: Personality & Culture (Rm. 503) 12:15 p.m. Lunch (Dining Hall)1:15 p.m. WorkshopsUnderstanding Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (St. Bede Theater) A Unified Approach: Communication Strategies for Religious Vocations, Formation & Leadership (Rm. 502) Intersectionality: Personality & Culture (Rm. 503) 2:30 p.m. Break3:00 p.m. Plenary 2: Handling Transference & Countertransference (St. Bede Theater)5:00 p.m. Vespers5:30 p.m. Dinner (Newman Dining Room)7:00 p.m. Compline7:30 p.m. Social Activity
Wednesday | September 2
7:30 a.m. Mass with Benedictine Community8:15 a.m. Buffet breakfast (Newman Dining Room)9:00 a.m. WorkshopsThe Impact of Childhood Trauma on Personality Disorders (St. Bede Theater) Understanding Narcissism (Rm. 502) A Unified Approach: Communication Strategies for Diocesan Vocations, Formation & Leadership (Rm. 503) 10:15 a.m. Break10:45 a.m. Plenary 3: Is it a Good Fit? Considerations for Discerning a Candidate’s Future (St. Bede Theater)12:15 p.m. Lunch1:15 p.m. WorkshopsThe Impact of Childhood Trauma on Personality Disorders (St. Bede Theater) Understanding Avoidant & Dependent Personalities (Rm. 502) Self-Care Skills for Leaders: Managing Interpersonal Conflict (Rm. 503) 2:30 p.m. Break3:00 p.m. Plenary 4: Case Scenarios (St. Bede Theater)5:00 p.m. Vespers5:30 p.m. Dinner (Newman Dining Room)7:00 p.m. Compline7:30 p.m. Social activity
Thursday | September 3
7:30 a.m. Mass with Benedictine Community (Feast of St. Gregory)8:15 a.m. Buffet breakfast (Newman Dining Room)9:30 a.m. WorkshopsSpotting the Red Flags: Interviewing for Personality Disorders (St. Bede Theater) Using the Psychological Report as a Guide for Formation (Rm. 502) Self-Care Skills for Leaders: Managing Interpersonal Conflict (Rm. 503) 10:45 a.m. Pack up and networking11:30 a.m. Lunch (to-go boxes provided) and departure
What Are Personality Disorders? | Emily Cash, Psy.D.
• Understanding Narcissism | Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, Ph.D.• Avoidant & Dependent Personalities | Rev. Mike Ritter, Psy.D.• Intersectionality: Personality & Culture | Crystal Taylor-Dietz, Psy.D.
• Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder | Rev. Mike Ritter, Psy.D.• Intersectionality: Personality & Culture | Crystal Taylor-Dietz, Psy.D.• A Unified Approach: Communication Strategies for Religious Vocations, Formation & Leadership | Sr. Anita Louise Lowe, OSB & Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, Ph.D.
Handling Transference & Countertransference | Ryan Lamothe, Ph.D.
• The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Personality Disorders | Kathy Galleher, Ph.D.• A Unified Approach: Communication Strategies for Diocesan Vocations, Formation & Leadership | Emily Cash, Psy.D. & Rev. Tyler Tenbarge• Understanding Narcissism | Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, Ph.D.
Is it a Good Fit? Considerations for Discerning a Candidate’s Future | Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, Ph.D.
• The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Personality Disorders | Kathy Galleher, Ph.D.• Avoidant & Dependent Personalities | Rev. Mike Ritter, Psy.D.• Self-Care Skills for Leaders: Managing Interpersonal Conflict | Rev. Patrick McDevitt, CM, Ph.D.
Case Scenarios | Emily Cash, Psy.D., Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, Ph.D. and Kathy Galleher, Ph.D.
• Spotting the Red Flags: Interviewing for Personality Disorders | Kathy Galleher, Ph.D.• Using the Psychological Report as a Guide for Formation | Michael Day, Psy.D.• Self-Care Skills for Leaders: Managing Interpersonal Conflict | Rev. Patrick McDevitt, CM, Ph.D.
In this interactive plenary session, our presenters will offer case studies illustrating different personality disorders or problematic personality styles. The panelists will explore contributing background factors, challenges to community life and formation, and practical strategies for discernment, accompaniment and ongoing pastoral management. Participants will gain deeper insight into recognizing personality dynamics and responding effectively.
Handling Transference & Countertransference | Ryan LaMothe, Ph.D.
Asymmetrical relationships in ministry and leadership often involve complex interpersonal dynamics that shape discernment, accompaniment and care. This plenary session explores the concepts of transference and countertransference as tools for recognizing unconscious communications that emerge in pastoral relationships. Through practical examples, participants will examine how greater self-awareness and the ethical use of one’s own subjectivity can support healthy leadership and promote the well-being of those entrusted to their care.
The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Personality Disorders | Kathy Galleher, Ph.D.
This session examines the complex impact of childhood trauma and abuse on emotional development, behaviors and relationship style as an adult. We will discuss the biological and relational impact of childhood trauma and abuse and how this can lead to maladaptive relationship styles and personality disorders. We will also explore protective factors and healing from childhood trauma. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs of serious personality disturbance that can interfere with healthy community living and long-term suitability for ministry and community life.
Intersectionality: Personality & Culture | Crystal Taylor-Dietz, Psy.D.
Human behavior is shaped by the complex interaction of culture, personality, and identity. When working with international candidates, it can be difficult to discern whether particular ways of relating, expressing emotion or responding to stress reflect cultural norms or personality structure. This session explores how cultural and personality factors influence identity development and the expression of self. Participants will examine the importance of attending to the whole person in order to avoid misinterpretation, foster empathic understanding and promote healthy discernment and formation.
This plenary session discusses the relationship between discernment and formation as well as the ongoing and interpersonal nature of vocational discernment. Participants will explore issues related to internal & external forum relationships and the critical role that vocations and formation personnel play in safeguarding the interests of both the candidate and the larger Church. The concept of freedom in relation to discernment of a candidate’s future will be emphasized in addition to the moral and ethical responsibilities placed on those charged with discernment of candidates.
Self-Care Skills for Leaders: Managing Interpersonal Conflict | Rev. Patrick McDevitt, CM, Ph.D.
This session invites vocation and formation personnel and other religious leaders to reflect prayerfully and practically on the relationship between self-care, healthy leadership and interpersonal conflict. Drawing on psychology, spiritual wisdom and the lived experience of ministry life, participants will explore how conflict impacts emotional, spiritual and relational well-being. The presenter will offer practical skills for maintaining healthy boundaries, emotional balance, resilience and compassionate presence during difficult conversations. Participants will explore how to navigate conflict from a grounded, mission-centered and emotionally healthy place—leading with clarity, empathy, hope and renewed purpose.
Spotting the Red Flags: Interviewing for Personality Disorders | Kathy Galleher, Ph.D.
This session offers practical guidance for vocation directors and formators on interviewing candidates to identify problematic relationship patterns and personality disorders that may interfere with healthy ministry and community life. Participants will learn how to ask about trauma, relationship patterns and mental health history, as well as how to recognize common “red flags” for personality disorders. Particular attention will be given to how to conduct a transparent, effective and focused assessment to identify areas of concern while maintaining the candidate’s sense of dignity, safety and trust.
Understanding Avoidant & Dependent Personalities | Rev. Mike Ritter, Psy.D.
This session provides an overview of avoidant and dependent personality styles and disorders, with particular attention to how these personality traits and patterns might be expressed in seminary and religious formation. Discussion includes implications for understanding a candidate’s capacity for healthy autonomy, successful community living and effective pastoral ministry. Practical recommendations will be offered to help formation staff distinguish between traits and pathology, make referral decisions and more fully integrate psychological insight into vocational discernment and human formation.
Understanding Narcissism | Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, Ph.D.
Narcissism is a personality style and disorder characterized by extreme egocentricity, over-valuation of the self and a pattern of exclusive self-referencing. This session explores clinical manifestations of narcissism that can lead to disruptions in ministry and community life and – in the extreme – harm to others. Participants will learn to identify personal history data and behaviors that suggest narcissistic personality traits and explore additional questions and interventions to consider when making decisions about a candidate’s future.
Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder | Rev. Mike Ritter, Psy.D.
This session offers a clinically informed overview of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). The presenter will discuss how OCPD traits may be manifested in human and spiritual formation, as well as in vocational discernment. Participants will examine how perfectionism, rigidity, excessive conscientiousness, scrupulosity, and over-control might initially present as strengths in a formation context. They will also consider potential the impact of these traits on community life, pastoral ministry and personal well-being. We will distinguish OCPD from OCD, discuss indicators of severity and consider practical strategies and challenges when addressing OCPD in the context of religious and priestly formation.
A Unified Approach: Communication Strategies for Diocesan Vocations, Formation & Leadership | Emily Cash, Psy.D. & Rev. Tyler Tenbarge
This session explores the relational nature of seminary formation and the vital role of communication among vocation directors, formation personnel and diocesan leadership when forming and discerning with candidates for priesthood. Participants will examine key issues such as fostering transparency, navigating situations where candidates share conflicting information, determining appropriate access to psychological evaluations, and clarifying how formation and leadership personnel can remain appropriately involved when a candidate is receiving treatment.
A Unified Approach: Communication Strategies for Religious Vocations, Formation & Leadership | Sr. Anita Louise Lowe, OSB & Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, Ph.D.
This session explores the relational nature of religious formation and the vital role of communication among vocation directors, formation personnel and community leadership when forming and discerning with candidates for consecrated life. Participants will examine key issues including fostering transparency, the importance of clear and consistent criteria for acceptance into formation, appropriate access to psychological evaluations, and clarifying how formation and leadership personnel can remain appropriately involved when a candidate is receiving treatment. Questions about how much to share about a candidate’s mental health history with the entire community will also be addressed.
Using the Psychological Report as a Guide for Formation | Michael Day, Psy.D.
This session offers practical guidance on understanding and utilizing the psychological report in admission as well as setting individualized goals and assessing progress in formation. Practical considerations related to informed consent, validity and reliability of findings, need for re-evaluations or additional assessments, as well as how to translate findings into specific and measurable goals will be addressed. Participants will also explore ways to determine when adequate progress is not being made and how to respond. Finally, moral and ethical considerations related to the intersection of mental health/personality and formation for service in the Church will be discussed.
This plenary session provides an overview of personality disorders and their impact on discernment, seminary formation, community life, and ministry. Participants will explore how personality disorders differ from personality styles, review major types of personality disorders, and identify language in psychological reports that may suggest problematic personality patterns. The session will also examine why individuals with personality disorders can present unique challenges in formation and communal settings, offering practical insights for those involved in accompaniment, assessment and leadership.
Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your registration, as space is limited. Cancellation before July 27, 2026: 100% refund; before August 10, 2026: $200 refund.
We will be taking photos and recording select portions of the 2026 Conference on Human Formation. Workshops will be filmed; Q&A sessions will not. Images and recordings may be used for educational, archival or promotional purposes.
If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, please choose your seating accordingly or let a staff member know at registration—we’re happy to accommodate when possible.
Beth Davis, Coordinator, Conference on Human Formation
[email protected]
