About Rev. Dr. William G. Ressl, LCSW
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Vice-President and Co-Founder of the Penny & Bill Company, a faith-based corporation offering mindful self-care options. Professor, Author, Transformational Leader, Ordained Minister, Clinical Social Worker, Digital Wellness Expert, Interdisciplinary Learning Strategist, Ritual Leader, and Content Designer/Artist. Rev. Dr. William G. Ressl, LCSW is an international author and pioneer in the field of pastoral social work and theology, a holistic-oriented approach to self-care that encompasses body, mind, and spirit.
Rev. Dr. Ressl is a recognized expert for his views on self-care through the systematic theology of Paul Tillich. He is known for his Psycho-Spiritual Bio-Social (PS-BS) Model and Care to Dare Relational Approach. Each was supported by his research defining pastoral social work that integrates clinical theory, theology, and ritual studies, as well as his critique of the current lack of listening love in contemporary practices of care. Each serves as one of the Pillars of Growth in the model of integrative mindful self-care known as Schematic-Based Cognitive Therapy (SBCT). |
Combining an interdisciplinary educational journey culminating in a PhD in theology, ethics, and the human sciences, Rev. Dr. Ressl has dedicated his life to supporting transformative adaptation in individuals, families, and social groups. An Ordained Minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC) since 2004 and an LCSW in Illinois since 2009, he has taught at Chicago Theological Seminary, Dominican University, and North Park University. From 2012 to 2020 he taught advanced clinical MSW and DSW courses at Aurora University. Rev. Dr. Ressl is the co-founder of Center to Awaken Kindness, a division of the Penny & Bill Company, offering mindful contemplative practices and tools. The Center is continually evolving as a world leader developing a comprehensive curriculum of integrated spiritual wellness and well-being.
Licenses & Certifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Illinois (LCSW)
Ordained Minister, United Church of Christ (UCC)
Illinois Artisan, Wicker Weaver
Rev. Dr. Ressl’s Educational Journey
BA, Economics, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
Classes toward JD/MBA, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL
One Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL
MDiv, Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL
MSW, Dominican University, River Forest, IL
Participant in ManKind Project, New Warrior Training Adventure, April 2005, Chicago, IL.
Post-Graduate Certificate, Center for Family Consultation, Evanston, IL.
PhD in Theology, Ethics, and Human Sciences, Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL.
Expert in human behavior, resilience, and spirituality. For over 10 years Rev. Dr. Ressl studied Jungian psychoanalysis and ritual studies under the Jungian Analyst Rev. Dr. Robert L. Moore. Bill has an extensive knowledge base in Bowen Family Systems Theory, having studied under Bowen scholars trained by Dr. Murray Bowen founder of the theory, including Dr. Robert J. Noone, LCSW, Stephanie Ferrera, LCSW, and Sydney Reed, MSW. In the progeny of Anton Boisen (Founder of Clinical Pastoral Education), Murray Bowen (Founder of Bowen Family Systems Theory), Paul Tillich (Systematic Theologian), James Cone (American Theologians), Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (Swiss-American Psychiatrist), Richard Clarke Cabot (Founder of Medical Social Work), and Victor Turner (Symbolic Anthropologist).
Throughout Rev. Dr. Ressl’s journey he has collected information on transformative adaptation. After interning in the accounting department at Mellon Financial Services, a division of Mellon Bank, and serving as a Computer Lab Assistant at the newly formed Center for Law and Computers at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, he worked at the American Bar Association supporting technological advancements in the field of law for 6 years. Following the opportunity to learn to weave wicker from three Master weavers, he wove artistic American wicker for 14 years. Desiring to delve deeper into clinical and spiritual understandings of transformational well-being, Rev. Dr. Ressl, together with his wife Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor, began a 20-year adventure in search of spiritual transformative processes in other faith-traditions and cultures as well as alternative methods spanning clinical theory and theology for understanding wellness. Following internships in community mental service agencies, from 2003 to 2021 he worked as a Co-Pastor in a local church as well as taught advanced MSW and DSW students from 2012 to 2020 at Aurora University. In private practice for several years, he worked with various clients seeking transformative self-care and life transitions. In 2020, Rev. Dr. Ressl and Rev. Dr. Taylor co-founded the Center to Awaken Kindness, division of Penny & Bill Company, a global community, that provides self-care to the human Spirit by awakening the kindness of Christ’s love in the world. The couple strives to bring the Spirit alive by providing podcasts, storytelling, teaching, listening, artistic reflections, meditation, labyrinth journaling, critical thinking, and sharing the loving kindness of Christ’s message through the advancement of contemporary digitally grounded methods of mindful contemplation.
Accomplishments
Married to Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor, LCSW for over 30 years.
Co-Founder of the Penny & Bill Company.
+ Editor and content designer of the website CenterToAwakenKindness.com.
+ Editorial assistant for social media related to DaRevsUSA, AwakenKindnessNetwork, DrsOfTheSoul, and TaylorAndRessl. Contributing editor to DaRevsUSA Blog on the Center to Awaken Kindness.
+ In addition to creating mindful content in the form of artwork, products, and videos for the Center to Awaken Kindness, Rev. Dr. Ressl and Rev. Dr. Taylor co-host the Awaken Kindness by DaRevsUSA podcast. He is the content designer/artist for the mindful programming on the Awaken Kindness Network.
Rev. Dr. Ressl has taught at the following institutions: Aurora University (MSW and DSW courses); Chicago Theological Seminary (graduate MDiv and PhD courses); Dominican University (MSW course); Elmhurst University (social work undergraduate course); and, North Park University (pastoral care & counseling graduate course).
Co-Founder and Administrator of the Pastoral Theology and Social Work Global Forum on LinkedIn.
Co-Convener, Theological Dimensions of the Family Study Group, Society for Pastoral Theology, 2013-2019.
Designer of Bill Ressl Cachets and American WickerArt
Rev. Dr. Ressl’s Publications
Rev. Dr. Ressl continues to self-publish mindful journals, prayer books, and other texts through the Penny & Bill Company.
Mercer University Press published his text “Tillich’s Influence on Pastoral Social Work” in Why Tillich? Why Now? in 2021.
Walter de Gruyter Press, Berlin, Germany published his text “A World in Need: Brokenness and Reconciliation Explored through Paul Tillich’s Doing of Social Work” in Tillich Jahrbuch in 2020.
“On Giant Shoulders: Teaching through Paul Tillich’s Legacy of Being a Theologian Doing Social Work in Bulletin” in The North American Paul Tillich Society (Santa Clara, CA, The North American Paul Tillich Society, Volume XLII, Number 2, May 2016).
Doing Liberative Pastoral Social Work: Towards an Integrative Paradigm Grounded in Tillichian Theology and Bowen Systems Theory. Dissertation. Chicago Theological Seminary.
Excerpts from The Paul Tillich Archive of New Harmony, Indiana from the Collection of Mrs. Jane Blaffer Owen. The Penny & Bill Company.
"Chicago's Art Deco Wicker Connection" in Chicago Art Deco Society Quarterly Publication. Oak Brook, IL: Chicago Art Deco Society.
Rev. Dr. Ressl has Served on the Following Doctor of Social Work Dissertation Committees
Chair. Forgiveness, Who Needs It? A Daughter's Autoethnographic Journey to Forgive. DSW Dissertation by Marcy Dena Wilroy.
Committee Member. Relationship between Parenting Knowledge/Practices and Parent-Child Relationship: Trauma as Moderator. DSW Dissertation by Gwendolyn Marshall.
Chair. Getting to the Bottom of Anxiety: Using Bowen Family Systems Concepts to Examine the Impact of Family Interaction Patterns on a Child's Academic and Social/Emotional Functioning at School. DSW Dissertation by Robin Shultz.
Chair. Is Hypnoanalysis Broadly Generalizable for Psychotherapy Practice? Implications for Social Work. DSW Dissertation by Jeanne Clark.
Committee Member. A Theoretical Investigation of Social Work Students, Motives, and Interests for Entering the Addition Field: A Qualitative Study. DSW Dissertation by Ricardo Williams.
Committee Member. A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding the Link Between Self-Insight and Countertransference Occurrences within Clinical Therapists': Applying Psychoanalytic Concepts to Explain Countertransference Processing and Reduction Opportunities. DSW Dissertation by Catherine Oliver.
Committee Member. Misperceptions of Empathy Deficit in Autism Spectrum Disorders. DSW Dissertation by Shannon C. Beck.
Committee Member. Newly Admitted Skilled Nursing Home Residents Awareness and Acceptance of Narrative Therapy for Depression: Implications for Social Work Practice. DSW Dissertation by Katherine Perone.
Committee Member. Social Workers' Perceptions of Client Change in Therapy. DSW Dissertation by Susan Johnson.
Rev. Dr. Ressl has Presented
Exploring Emotional and Spiritual Shock Waves: A 25+ Year Slice of Death, Illness, and Spiritual Awakening at the Center for Family Consultation Annual Day of Workshops.
The Best Type of Emotional Reactivity - Courageous Vitality that Fuels Happiness and Joy Binders: Promoting a Positive Hypothetical Theological Extension of Bowen Theory at the Center for Family Consultation Faculty Theory Day.
Examining Spirituality and Religion: Anxiety Binder or Defining a Self? at the Center for Family Consultation Annual Day of Workshops.
Neo-Jungian Archetypal Assessments Labyrinths for the Advanced Seminar Integrative Psychotherapy and Spirituality Seminar at the Chicago Theological Seminary.
A Review of of Paul Tillich's Systematic Theology for the Advanced Seminar B, Paul Tillich on Theology, Ethics, and Human Sciences at the Chicago Theological Seminary.
Spirituality, Bowen... and God: Bowen Theory in Dialogue with Paul Tillich's Theology at the Center for Family Consultation Faculty Theory Day.
Adjuncts and Field Liaison Student Engagement Workshop at Aurora University.
Mapping Sacred Space as Dual MDiv/MSW Degree Professional at the Theological Dimensions of Family Study Group, Society for Pastoral Theology Annual Meeting.
On Giant Shoulders: Teaching Through a Minority Strain Interpretation of Paul Tillich's Thought and Work as a Theologian Doing Social Work at the North American Paul Tillich Society Pedogogy and Paulus Panel at the American Academy of Religion.
Ritual-Making: The Rituals of Life and Their Impact on the Therapeutic Relationship at the National Association of Social Workers Illinois Statewide Conference.
Cultural Competency Beyond Race and Ethnicity: Towards Awareness of Spirit-filled Rituals and LGBTQ Communities at Aurora University Field Office CEU Event.
Opening Hearts and Minds: A Reflective Frame for the Pastoral Theologian Doing Social Work at the Theological Dimensions of Family Study Group, Society for Pastoral Theology Annual Meeting.
The Digital Footprint: Creating Your Own Holistic Online and Offline Brand Image at the Eight Annual Faculty Teaching and Research Symposium, Aurora University.
The Death of Self: Transcendence into a New Reality at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary First Annual Theological Student Conference.
Join Rev. Dr. Ressl on Social Media
Licenses & Certifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Illinois (LCSW)
Ordained Minister, United Church of Christ (UCC)
Illinois Artisan, Wicker Weaver
Rev. Dr. Ressl’s Educational Journey
BA, Economics, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
Classes toward JD/MBA, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL
One Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL
MDiv, Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL
MSW, Dominican University, River Forest, IL
Participant in ManKind Project, New Warrior Training Adventure, April 2005, Chicago, IL.
Post-Graduate Certificate, Center for Family Consultation, Evanston, IL.
PhD in Theology, Ethics, and Human Sciences, Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL.
Expert in human behavior, resilience, and spirituality. For over 10 years Rev. Dr. Ressl studied Jungian psychoanalysis and ritual studies under the Jungian Analyst Rev. Dr. Robert L. Moore. Bill has an extensive knowledge base in Bowen Family Systems Theory, having studied under Bowen scholars trained by Dr. Murray Bowen founder of the theory, including Dr. Robert J. Noone, LCSW, Stephanie Ferrera, LCSW, and Sydney Reed, MSW. In the progeny of Anton Boisen (Founder of Clinical Pastoral Education), Murray Bowen (Founder of Bowen Family Systems Theory), Paul Tillich (Systematic Theologian), James Cone (American Theologians), Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (Swiss-American Psychiatrist), Richard Clarke Cabot (Founder of Medical Social Work), and Victor Turner (Symbolic Anthropologist).
Throughout Rev. Dr. Ressl’s journey he has collected information on transformative adaptation. After interning in the accounting department at Mellon Financial Services, a division of Mellon Bank, and serving as a Computer Lab Assistant at the newly formed Center for Law and Computers at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, he worked at the American Bar Association supporting technological advancements in the field of law for 6 years. Following the opportunity to learn to weave wicker from three Master weavers, he wove artistic American wicker for 14 years. Desiring to delve deeper into clinical and spiritual understandings of transformational well-being, Rev. Dr. Ressl, together with his wife Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor, began a 20-year adventure in search of spiritual transformative processes in other faith-traditions and cultures as well as alternative methods spanning clinical theory and theology for understanding wellness. Following internships in community mental service agencies, from 2003 to 2021 he worked as a Co-Pastor in a local church as well as taught advanced MSW and DSW students from 2012 to 2020 at Aurora University. In private practice for several years, he worked with various clients seeking transformative self-care and life transitions. In 2020, Rev. Dr. Ressl and Rev. Dr. Taylor co-founded the Center to Awaken Kindness, division of Penny & Bill Company, a global community, that provides self-care to the human Spirit by awakening the kindness of Christ’s love in the world. The couple strives to bring the Spirit alive by providing podcasts, storytelling, teaching, listening, artistic reflections, meditation, labyrinth journaling, critical thinking, and sharing the loving kindness of Christ’s message through the advancement of contemporary digitally grounded methods of mindful contemplation.
Accomplishments
Married to Rev. Dr. Penny Taylor, LCSW for over 30 years.
Co-Founder of the Penny & Bill Company.
+ Editor and content designer of the website CenterToAwakenKindness.com.
+ Editorial assistant for social media related to DaRevsUSA, AwakenKindnessNetwork, DrsOfTheSoul, and TaylorAndRessl. Contributing editor to DaRevsUSA Blog on the Center to Awaken Kindness.
+ In addition to creating mindful content in the form of artwork, products, and videos for the Center to Awaken Kindness, Rev. Dr. Ressl and Rev. Dr. Taylor co-host the Awaken Kindness by DaRevsUSA podcast. He is the content designer/artist for the mindful programming on the Awaken Kindness Network.
Rev. Dr. Ressl has taught at the following institutions: Aurora University (MSW and DSW courses); Chicago Theological Seminary (graduate MDiv and PhD courses); Dominican University (MSW course); Elmhurst University (social work undergraduate course); and, North Park University (pastoral care & counseling graduate course).
Co-Founder and Administrator of the Pastoral Theology and Social Work Global Forum on LinkedIn.
Co-Convener, Theological Dimensions of the Family Study Group, Society for Pastoral Theology, 2013-2019.
Designer of Bill Ressl Cachets and American WickerArt
Rev. Dr. Ressl’s Publications
Rev. Dr. Ressl continues to self-publish mindful journals, prayer books, and other texts through the Penny & Bill Company.
Mercer University Press published his text “Tillich’s Influence on Pastoral Social Work” in Why Tillich? Why Now? in 2021.
Walter de Gruyter Press, Berlin, Germany published his text “A World in Need: Brokenness and Reconciliation Explored through Paul Tillich’s Doing of Social Work” in Tillich Jahrbuch in 2020.
“On Giant Shoulders: Teaching through Paul Tillich’s Legacy of Being a Theologian Doing Social Work in Bulletin” in The North American Paul Tillich Society (Santa Clara, CA, The North American Paul Tillich Society, Volume XLII, Number 2, May 2016).
Doing Liberative Pastoral Social Work: Towards an Integrative Paradigm Grounded in Tillichian Theology and Bowen Systems Theory. Dissertation. Chicago Theological Seminary.
Excerpts from The Paul Tillich Archive of New Harmony, Indiana from the Collection of Mrs. Jane Blaffer Owen. The Penny & Bill Company.
"Chicago's Art Deco Wicker Connection" in Chicago Art Deco Society Quarterly Publication. Oak Brook, IL: Chicago Art Deco Society.
Rev. Dr. Ressl has Served on the Following Doctor of Social Work Dissertation Committees
Chair. Forgiveness, Who Needs It? A Daughter's Autoethnographic Journey to Forgive. DSW Dissertation by Marcy Dena Wilroy.
Committee Member. Relationship between Parenting Knowledge/Practices and Parent-Child Relationship: Trauma as Moderator. DSW Dissertation by Gwendolyn Marshall.
Chair. Getting to the Bottom of Anxiety: Using Bowen Family Systems Concepts to Examine the Impact of Family Interaction Patterns on a Child's Academic and Social/Emotional Functioning at School. DSW Dissertation by Robin Shultz.
Chair. Is Hypnoanalysis Broadly Generalizable for Psychotherapy Practice? Implications for Social Work. DSW Dissertation by Jeanne Clark.
Committee Member. A Theoretical Investigation of Social Work Students, Motives, and Interests for Entering the Addition Field: A Qualitative Study. DSW Dissertation by Ricardo Williams.
Committee Member. A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding the Link Between Self-Insight and Countertransference Occurrences within Clinical Therapists': Applying Psychoanalytic Concepts to Explain Countertransference Processing and Reduction Opportunities. DSW Dissertation by Catherine Oliver.
Committee Member. Misperceptions of Empathy Deficit in Autism Spectrum Disorders. DSW Dissertation by Shannon C. Beck.
Committee Member. Newly Admitted Skilled Nursing Home Residents Awareness and Acceptance of Narrative Therapy for Depression: Implications for Social Work Practice. DSW Dissertation by Katherine Perone.
Committee Member. Social Workers' Perceptions of Client Change in Therapy. DSW Dissertation by Susan Johnson.
Rev. Dr. Ressl has Presented
Exploring Emotional and Spiritual Shock Waves: A 25+ Year Slice of Death, Illness, and Spiritual Awakening at the Center for Family Consultation Annual Day of Workshops.
The Best Type of Emotional Reactivity - Courageous Vitality that Fuels Happiness and Joy Binders: Promoting a Positive Hypothetical Theological Extension of Bowen Theory at the Center for Family Consultation Faculty Theory Day.
Examining Spirituality and Religion: Anxiety Binder or Defining a Self? at the Center for Family Consultation Annual Day of Workshops.
Neo-Jungian Archetypal Assessments Labyrinths for the Advanced Seminar Integrative Psychotherapy and Spirituality Seminar at the Chicago Theological Seminary.
A Review of of Paul Tillich's Systematic Theology for the Advanced Seminar B, Paul Tillich on Theology, Ethics, and Human Sciences at the Chicago Theological Seminary.
Spirituality, Bowen... and God: Bowen Theory in Dialogue with Paul Tillich's Theology at the Center for Family Consultation Faculty Theory Day.
Adjuncts and Field Liaison Student Engagement Workshop at Aurora University.
Mapping Sacred Space as Dual MDiv/MSW Degree Professional at the Theological Dimensions of Family Study Group, Society for Pastoral Theology Annual Meeting.
On Giant Shoulders: Teaching Through a Minority Strain Interpretation of Paul Tillich's Thought and Work as a Theologian Doing Social Work at the North American Paul Tillich Society Pedogogy and Paulus Panel at the American Academy of Religion.
Ritual-Making: The Rituals of Life and Their Impact on the Therapeutic Relationship at the National Association of Social Workers Illinois Statewide Conference.
Cultural Competency Beyond Race and Ethnicity: Towards Awareness of Spirit-filled Rituals and LGBTQ Communities at Aurora University Field Office CEU Event.
Opening Hearts and Minds: A Reflective Frame for the Pastoral Theologian Doing Social Work at the Theological Dimensions of Family Study Group, Society for Pastoral Theology Annual Meeting.
The Digital Footprint: Creating Your Own Holistic Online and Offline Brand Image at the Eight Annual Faculty Teaching and Research Symposium, Aurora University.
The Death of Self: Transcendence into a New Reality at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary First Annual Theological Student Conference.
Join Rev. Dr. Ressl on Social Media
- LinkedIn: DaRevsUSA
- Twitter: @DaRevsUSA or @DrsOfTheSoul or @TaylorAndRessl
- Facebook: DaRevsUSA or AwakenKindnessNetwork
- Instagram: DaRevsUSA or AwakenKindnessNetwork
- YouTube: DaRevsUSA or AwakenKindnessNetwork
- Pinterest: DaRevsUSA or AwakenKindnessNetwork
- Vimeo: DaRevsUSA
- TikTok: DaRevsUSA
The late Dr. Robert L. Moore and Bill. Robert was Bill's teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend for over 16 years.
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Exploring new possibilities - Bill playing his heligonka in his virtual reality world of art.
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On a Mission to Awaken Kindness through God's Transformative Power of Love.
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JOIN US @DaRevsUSA
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