A body-only, mind-only or spirit-only approach to mental health treatment leads each to an essential failure to effectively promote healing.

In this episode, I discuss heritability studies, the limits of psychopharmacology, the insufficiency of purely cognitive approaches, and the unbiblical shame of over-spiritualization. I argue that we need to understand mental illness as a condition with multi-layered explanations requiring a multi-layered treatment for ourselves, our clients and those we love.

All of this is modeled in God’s response to Elijah’s suicidal episode in the wilderness: God gives rest and food, corrects his thinking and reveals the spiritual reality of his presence.

If you are facing a mental illness yourself, supporting a loved one or treating a client, this conceptual model offers a comprehensive approach to the person. A vision of wholeness rather than convenient reductionism.

Schizophrenia Heritability Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14662550/

Depression Medication Efficacy Study: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5548444_Kirsch_I_Deacon_BJ_Huedo-Medina_TB_Scoboria_A_Moore_TJ_Johnson_BT_Initial_severity_and_antidepressant_benefits_a_meta-analysis_of_data_submitted_to_the_Food_and_Drug_Administration_PLoS_Med_5_260-268

Depression Remission Study: https://www.thecarlatreport.com/articles/4733-stard-reanalysis-causes-new-debate-over-antidepressant-efficacy#:~:text=Study%20type%3A%20Reanalysis%20of%20an,(STAR*D)%20study

Chemical imbalance theory busted: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0

Antipsychotic Meds Shrinking Brain Study: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/antipsychotics-and-shrinking-brain

Efficacy of Antipsychotics: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41784458/#:~:text=SG%20LAI%20users%20showed%20reductions,015)%20days

Vocational outcomes of antipsychotic users: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396179149_Protocol_for_-_Association_of_antipsychotic_medication_usage_and_employment_outcomes_in_patients_with_schizophrenia_spectrum_disorders_A_Danish_register-based_study

Vitamin D Deficiency Rates: https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1008.1

Conversion disorder Case Study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9564367/

Misattribution of Arousal Study: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232519630_Passionate_love_and_the_misattribution_of_arousal

Theological Anthropology Applications for Sexual/Physical Abuse Victims and Solace Professional Counseling: https://www.solaceprofessionalcounseling.com/

Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/

How does the body, mind and soul relate to each other? Do we even have a mind or a soul? Why does it matter?

Psychology throughout its short history has had numerous conceptions of what makes up a human. But none of them tell the whole story. In this episode I propose:

* The human is an inseparable, united whole.

* We can still speak practically about different aspects of human nature while holding tight to this unity.

* The Eternal Soul needs to be CENTRAL to our understanding of humanity.

* Our hope of a radically remade body, mind and soul drives healing in this life.

If you are a clinician, pastor or just a person who cares for other people, these ideas matter to how you can effectively understand and encourage those you are tasked to care for.___

Fritz Perls in the Gloria tapes:

My previous episode on the theology of the composition of man:

Solace Professional Counseling: https://www.solaceprofessionalcounseling.com/

Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/

Our empathy is coveted ground in the culture wars. Who we care about is being monetized and weaponized. We are bombarded with heartbreaking story after story. How can we stay tender yet resilient in the midst of the carnage?

In this episode I discuss the nature of empathy (is it toxic? is it sinful?) but also practical tools for maintaining peace and care in a broken world.

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Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/

In this episode, I compare Marxist, Humanist and Reformed worldviews in their conceptualizations of the nature of suffering, causes of suffering and solution to suffering. However ultimately, the aim of this episode is to inspire an informed hope, strength and even joy in the midst of hardship.

Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/

The term “teenager” is quite a new invention, developed to describe a unique stage of development that emerged during the industrial revolution. The teen years weren’t always marked by storm and stress. They were marked by continuity and gradual maturity into adulthood. So what changed? In this episode, I discuss how intergenerational relationships, meaningful work and moderately structured identity development can still the waves of the teenage storm.

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Article on the history of adolescence:

* https://www.jstor.org/stable/349302

Studies on Grandparents and other Intergenerational Relationships:

* https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360690204_Intergenerational_Activities_Involving_Adolescents_and_Residents_of_Aged_Care_Facilities_A_Scoping_Review

* https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0192513X221127021

* https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19203161/

* https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10514349/

Lifeway Faith Retention Study:

* https://research.lifeway.com/2023/10/04/the-next-generation-is-leaving-the-faith-earlier-than-you-realize/

Studies on NSSI and Suicidal Ideation as a Social Contagion

* https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25722129/

* https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40175835/

* https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6317237/

Studies on Eating Disorders as a Social Contagion

* https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17258173/

* https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18220454/

Studies on Gender Dysphoria as a Social Contagion

* https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11876199/

* https://researchers.one/articles/23.10.00002v1

Study on the Importance of Positive Peer Relationships

* https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34848899/

Studies on Choice Overload and Creativity with Limitations

* https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1057740814000916

* https://arxiv.org/pdf/2412.12721

* https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23547233_Designing_the_Solution_The_Impact_of_Constraints_on_Consumers’_Creativity

The Efficacy of Mentoring Over Extra-curricular Activities

* https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/3521ecbb-2783-4f5b-b412-c235681c9e92/content

Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/

I am joined by Dr. John Raymond, therapist and mentor-professor at Redemption Seminary. He shares his theory of counseling informed by existential thought, Bowen’s Family System Theory, Hope Theory and the Transtheoretical Model of Change.

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Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/

In this episode, I discuss the classic book by Leo Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilyich. The main character’s descent into illness and eventual death forces him to face up to his suffering, his fear of death and the true meaning his life should have had. This beautiful piece of literature offers much to be gleaned for those facing their own crises of meaning.

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Sermon on the Beatitudes

Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/

In this episode, I explore how I work through the change process with clients using a model of change called motivational interviewing. Along the way, we will visit our theology of God’s coming kingdom and how a clear vision of hope informs the change making process.

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Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/

Are we one thing, two things, three things, four? How our humanity is composed has applications for SA, Chronic Pain and more!

I just read some Dr. Suess to my kids so forgive the bad rhymes. In this episode, I discuss how it is important to understand humans as both physical and spiritual when treating a multitude of disorders but especially trauma victims and those suffering from chronic physical ailments.

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Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/

In this episode, I get to interview my very favorite guest, my husband. We discuss the human element of personal finance and explore how different factors of we are influence our money management behaviors.

Family Focused Financial: https://famfocfinancial.com/

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Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD

Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/