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24 January 2019

New President and Chief Psychologist for The Southdown Institute

The Southdown Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Stephan Kappler, M.Div., Psy.D., as President and Chief Psychologist of The Southdown Institute, effective February 1, 2019. As part of a planned leadership transition, Fr. Kappler will replace Sr. Dorothy Heiderscheit, OSF, whose five-year tenure as Chief Executive Officer comes to completion at the end of January.

Rev. Stephan Kappler, M.Div., Psy.D.

Fr. Kappler brings to Southdown a wealth of experience in the field of mental health and service within the Church, ministering in various pastoral settings and with diverse populations. He received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from John F. Kennedy University, Pleasant Hill CA, and his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from the Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley CA. In February 2014, he founded KAIROS Psychology Group in Oakland CA and has served as its Director since that time. He has served as Parochial Vicar and Pastor in the Diocese of Oakland since May 1994, with his most recent ministry as Pastor of St. Jarlath Catholic Church in Oakland. He has facilitated workshops internationally for Religious and Clergy in the area of mental health. He has served on the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM), and has served as a consultant for many dioceses. Fr. Kappler speaks fluent English, Spanish, and German.

Fr. Kappler is well known to the Southdown Community, having completed his post-doctoral fellowship with us. He possesses a deep passion for accompanying fellow Religious and Clergy on their paths of ministry, fulfilling Southdown’s vision of Healthy Ministers for a Healthy Church. We welcome his expertise to continue strengthening the services Southdown provides to the international Church.

Source: Southdown Institute Website