Jean Dalby Clift
Encyclopedia
Jean Dalby Clift, an Episcopal
priest and pastoral counselor in private practice, is the author of several books in the fields of psychology and spirituality. "Dr. Clift has had many roles in her life, including lawyer, spiritual director, pastoral counselor, author, lecturer, workshop presenter, priest, mother, grandmother, and poet." She has lectured and given workshops in the United States, Australia, Europe and Asia on such topics as pastoral counseling, prayer, spiritual growth, journaling, pilgrimage
, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
. Three of her five books are co-authored with her husband, the Reverend Wallace Clift
.
. She practiced law at Baker, Botts, Andrews and Parish in Houston, Texas, and in 1954 married another attorney at the firm, Wallace Clift
. After her husband went to seminary
, Jean Clift became involved in prayer ministry. In 1964 Jean and Wallace Clift were awarded a joint grant by the Farish Foundation to study the psychology of Carl Jung
. At the C. G. Jung Institute in Zürich
, Switzerland, she studied for two years with analyst Marie-Louise von Franz
, to whom she dedicated one of her books.
in 1978 with the dissertation Little Nell and the lost feminine: An archetypal analysis of some projections in Victorian culture. She co-founded the C. G. Jung Society of Colorado in 1976, and remains a trustee. From 1975 to 1980, Clift was the first non-Catholic to hold the position of Director of the Center for Religious Meaning at Loretto Heights College. She also served as a faculty advisor for Loretto Heights' University Without Walls program for re-entry students, and taught short courses in religious studies and the humanities. In 1980, she was elected president of the American Academy of Religion
, Rocky Mountain-Great Plains Region. After Clift left Loretto Heights in 1980, she continued her involvement with teaching as an adjunct professor of Anglican Studies until 2002, first at St. Thomas Seminary and then at the Iliff School of Theology. In 2000, The Wallace B. and Jean Dalby Clift Scholarship Fund, to provide funds for students enrolled in Iliff's Anglican Studies Program, was endowed by Bette Lanning in recognition of the contribations made by Jean Clift and her husband.
in 1982, and served as its president 1994-1996. Clift was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado
in 1988. Since 1989 she has been a member of the Pastoral Intervention Team for the same diocese, where she is also Chair of the Pastoral Counseling Guidelines for Clerical Ethics. She has given numerous workshops on pastoral counseling
, dream interpretation, journaling, spiritual growth, and pilgrimage
. She is Canon Pastor Emeritus of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and an associate priest at the Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness
.
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
priest and pastoral counselor in private practice, is the author of several books in the fields of psychology and spirituality. "Dr. Clift has had many roles in her life, including lawyer, spiritual director, pastoral counselor, author, lecturer, workshop presenter, priest, mother, grandmother, and poet." She has lectured and given workshops in the United States, Australia, Europe and Asia on such topics as pastoral counseling, prayer, spiritual growth, journaling, pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment is a psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions...
. Three of her five books are co-authored with her husband, the Reverend Wallace Clift
Wallace Clift
Wallace Bruce Clift, Jr., the author of several books and articles in the field of psychology of religion, is professor emeritus at the University of Denver, where he chaired the Department of Religion for many years...
.
Early career and education
Born February 21, 1930 in Texas, Clift received a B.A. (1950) and J.D. (1952) from the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. She practiced law at Baker, Botts, Andrews and Parish in Houston, Texas, and in 1954 married another attorney at the firm, Wallace Clift
Wallace Clift
Wallace Bruce Clift, Jr., the author of several books and articles in the field of psychology of religion, is professor emeritus at the University of Denver, where he chaired the Department of Religion for many years...
. After her husband went to seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
, Jean Clift became involved in prayer ministry. In 1964 Jean and Wallace Clift were awarded a joint grant by the Farish Foundation to study the psychology of Carl Jung
Carl Jung
Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and the founder of Analytical Psychology. Jung is considered the first modern psychiatrist to view the human psyche as "by nature religious" and make it the focus of exploration. Jung is one of the best known researchers in the field of dream analysis and...
. At the C. G. Jung Institute in Zürich
C. G. Jung Institute in Zürich
The C.G. Jung Institute in Zürich, Switzerland was founded in 1948 by the psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, the founder of Analytical Psychology...
, Switzerland, she studied for two years with analyst Marie-Louise von Franz
Marie-Louise von Franz
Marie-Louise von Franz was a Swiss Jungian psychologist and scholar.-Early life and education:Von Franz was born in Munich, Germany, the daughter of an Austrian baron. In Switzerland, she was known by a pet form of her Christian name, Marlus.-Career:Von Franz worked with Carl Jung, whom she met in...
, to whom she dedicated one of her books.
Academic career
Clift applied her psychological training to the study of literature, earning a Ph.D. from the University of DenverUniversity of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
in 1978 with the dissertation Little Nell and the lost feminine: An archetypal analysis of some projections in Victorian culture. She co-founded the C. G. Jung Society of Colorado in 1976, and remains a trustee. From 1975 to 1980, Clift was the first non-Catholic to hold the position of Director of the Center for Religious Meaning at Loretto Heights College. She also served as a faculty advisor for Loretto Heights' University Without Walls program for re-entry students, and taught short courses in religious studies and the humanities. In 1980, she was elected president of the American Academy of Religion
American Academy of Religion
The American Academy of Religion is the world's largest association of scholars in the field of religious studies and related topics. It is a nonprofit member association,...
, Rocky Mountain-Great Plains Region. After Clift left Loretto Heights in 1980, she continued her involvement with teaching as an adjunct professor of Anglican Studies until 2002, first at St. Thomas Seminary and then at the Iliff School of Theology. In 2000, The Wallace B. and Jean Dalby Clift Scholarship Fund, to provide funds for students enrolled in Iliff's Anglican Studies Program, was endowed by Bette Lanning in recognition of the contribations made by Jean Clift and her husband.
Pastoral counseling and ministry
Clift left Loretto Heights in 1980 to establish a private counseling practice. She joined the American Association of Pastoral CounselorsAmerican Association of Pastoral Counselors
The American Association of Pastoral Counselors is a professional organization of pastoral counselors from a variety of religious and psychological traditions.-Membership:...
in 1982, and served as its president 1994-1996. Clift was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado
Episcopal Diocese of Colorado
The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America which covers all of Colorado. It is in Province VI. Its cathedral, the Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness, is located in Denver, along with its offices. John F. Spalding was the first...
in 1988. Since 1989 she has been a member of the Pastoral Intervention Team for the same diocese, where she is also Chair of the Pastoral Counseling Guidelines for Clerical Ethics. She has given numerous workshops on pastoral counseling
Pastoral counseling
Pastoral counseling is a branch of counseling in which psychologically trained ministers, rabbis, priests and other persons provide therapy services...
, dream interpretation, journaling, spiritual growth, and pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
. She is Canon Pastor Emeritus of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and an associate priest at the Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness
Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness
The Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness in Denver, Colorado is the seat of the bishop and the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and part of the Episcopal Church in the United States. Construction began in 1909, the first service held in the cathedral in 1911, and it was added to...
.