Beyond the Clinical Hour: How Counselors Can Partner with the Church to Address the Mental Health Crisis

by James N. Sells, Amy Trout, Heather C. Sells, Ed Stetzer (Foreword by)

Overview

The global mental health crisis is growing faster than our existing mental health care system can address. To meet the scope of human need, we need new models of care. The good news is that there is an institution uniquely positioned with the resources and the heart to help: the church.

Psychologists James Sells and Amy Trout and journalist Heather Sells know firsthand the urgency of the situation—but they have also witnessed creative partnerships between churches and mental health professionals springing up across the United States. In this book, they call clinicians, students, and educators to collaborate with churches and lay leaders to envision and then create innovative solutions in their own communities.

Challenging the dominance of the traditional "clinical hour" as a one-size-has-to-fit-all model, Sells, Trout, and Sells give concrete guidance on how mental health professionals can work with churches to provide consultation, train lay leaders, and develop and evaluate programs to expand a continuum of care. They also explore the skills, theological foundations, and research-based knowledge that both Christian counselors and church leaders need to integrate their spheres of expertise.

Both a call to action and an encouraging roadmap, this book charts the way forward for combining the science of the mental health discipline with the service of Christian ministry.

Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Books explore how Christianity relates to mental health and behavioral sciences including psychology, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy in order to equip Christian clinicians to support the well-being of their clients.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781514001042
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	03/19/2024
Series:	Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

James N. Sells (Ph.D., University of Southern California) is professor of counseling and director of the Ph.D. program in counselor education and supervision at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he has taught since 2005. He is also a licensed psychologist and coauthored Family Therapies with Mark Yarhouse.

Amy Trout (PsyD, Wheaton College) is founder and director of a private practice, Cornerstone Consultants, and chief education officer at Counterpoise (a subsidiary of The Burrell Group).

Heather C. Sells (MA, University of Illinois-Springfield) is managing editor for CBN News.

Ed Stetzer, PhD, is the dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University and scholar in residence and teaching pastor at Mariners Church. He has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and he has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is regional director for Lausanne North America, is the editor-in-chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for news outlets such as USA Today and CNN.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Ed Stetzer
Preface
Introduction: A Sign Tells a Story

Part 1: Where We Are: Describing the Mental Health Crisis
1. Synthesis of Care: The Confluence of Culture, Church, and Counseling
2. The Hurrier I Go, the Behinder I Get: Unpacking the Surge in Mental Health Concerns

Part 2: The Evolution of Integration
3. Integrating Integration: Approaches for Christians in Mental Health
4. Word and Deed: From Integration to Articulation

Part 3: Navigating the Way Forward
5. The Foundation of Christian Care: Biblical Theology in Contemporary Thought
6. Guided by Grace: Supervision in Christian Mental Health Practice
7. Bridging Perspectives: Consultation Between Clinicians and the Church
8. Fostering Sanctuary: Advancing Church Development and Evaluation
9. Integrity in Christian Mental Health: The Ethics and Economics of Care

The Last Word: Uniting Churches and Christian Mental Health Professionals
Subject Index

What People are Saying About This

Mark R. McMinn

"As 'roots' and 'wings' show up in famous quotes, so they do in this book. Rooted in Christian thought and the long tradition of integration, the authors demonstrate a deep understanding of Christian mental health care. At the same time, they challenge us to grow wings, to be innovative and bold as we confront the needs of our world alongside beautiful possibilities for the church. The stories are poignant, the writing is effective, the reflection questions are wise and challenging, and the authors are leaders in the field. This is a fantastic book. Be inspired to imagine the possibilities Beyond the Clinical Hour."

Editorial Reviews

"As 'roots' and 'wings' show up in famous quotes, so they do in this book. Rooted in Christian thought and the long tradition of integration, the authors demonstrate a deep understanding of Christian mental health care. At the same time, they challenge us to grow wings, to be innovative and bold as we confront the needs of our world alongside beautiful possibilities for the church. The stories are poignant, the writing is effective, the reflection questions are wise and challenging, and the authors are leaders in the field. This is a fantastic book. Be inspired to imagine the possibilities Beyond the Clinical Hour."

Mark R. McMinn

"Beyond the Clinical Hour provides an important and timely call to action for pastors and mental health professionals to partner together to address the global mental health crisis. With wisdom, theological depth, and psychological sophistication, the authors lay out strategies for expanding the mission of the church to include spiritually sensitive and competent care for those suffering from mental health concerns. I look forward to introducing my students to this inspiring vision for living out our Christian integrative commitments."

Terri S. Watson

"Beyond the Clinical Hour by Sells, Trout, and Sells is a comprehensive and very helpful guide to how Christian mental health professionals can partner with churches to deal with the mental health crisis before us. It includes integration of Christian approaches to mental health and a biblical theology for the foundation of Christian care. It also emphasizes and covers in detail the topics of supervision, consultation, church development and evaluation, and the ethics and economics of care. Highly recommended!"

Siang-Yang Tan

"This is one of the most unique, timely, and long-overdue resources for those committed to meeting the pressing needs of the men and women in today's world. The authors give us a fresh and much-needed biblically based, socially informed, clinically sound, and comprehensive model of providing meaningful Christian care. In some ways it provides an invaluable paradigm shift for understanding the essential role of the counselor and the church working together. This encouraging, empowering, and vision-casting resource is a book that you'll be reading more than once and wanting to share with your friends."

Gary J. Oliver

"Beyond the Clinical Hour eloquently navigates the intersection of faith and mental health, urging believers to extend compassion as a divine imperative. With profound insights, this book reveals the transformative power of a church united in understanding and support, fostering a community of care that echoes the teachings of the Bible. It is a beacon of hope, guiding believers to embrace the complexities of mental health with love, compassion, and spiritual resilience. Beyond the Clinical Hour delivers a timely and powerful message inviting the church to build bridges of understanding and healing in our communities."

Samuel Rodriguez

"An insightful look into the mental health crisis, this book offers innovative solutions that emphasize the collaboration of pastors and counselors. Rather than abiding by the current default of church and mental health systems working at odds with one another, the authors present a vision for teamwork and unity of purpose. Their ideas are truly integration in action, ushering in a new era of creativity for pastors and Christian mental health professionals. Rife with examples of strategic partnership, Beyond the Clinical Hour is a must-read for pastors, counselors, and churchgoers who want to think outside the box to address the mental health challenges we face."

Kristen Kansiewicz

"How can a church respond to the mental health crisis? This practical book could help solve the crisis in your community! The authors guide church leaders using their unique insights into the process of mental health care within a congregation. The concepts are both theologically thick and psychologically informed. This book is innovative, clear, and full of pathways to new ideas for congregational mental health care."

Jennifer Ripley