The Created Mind

As a millennial parent, my reels are inundated with clips giving suggestions on how to heal one’s attachment wounds while also learning to parent one’s own children. It is easy to critique the limited sound-bites that often serve to infantilize the person and exacerbate bitterness and hurt but in this episode, I dive into the actual theory underlying the concept of reparenting. I offer a fair-mind...

Somatic therapy has grown rapidly in popularity for the treatment of trauma and other mental health conditions. However many Christians are suspicious of this form of therapy. Is it Eastern spiritualism wrapped up in therapeutic language? On the other hand, many Christians see the powerful effects of this therapy are tempted to accept its underlying explanations without careful examination. In thi...

Somatic therapy has grown rapidly in popularity for the treatment of trauma and other mental health conditions. However many Christians are suspicious of this form of therapy. Is it Eastern spiritualism wrapped up in therapeutic language? On the other hand, many Christians see the powerful effects this therapy are tempted to accept its underlying explanations without careful examination. In this f...

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...

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 holdin...

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. ____ Understanding Psyc...

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-...

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 identi...

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

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. ____ Sermon on the Beatitudes Understandi...

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. ___ Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referr...

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 physica...

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/ __________ Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?refer...

In this episode we take a round-about rabbit trail through Goethe’s Faust and the original question of psychology to discuss why AI, as human as it seems, cannot be a substitute for true human relationships including therapy. Episode of Young Heretics on Faust: Previous episode of The Created Mind on Being: __________ Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udem...

In this episode I interview Sheila Chunis, an experienced counselor, who shares her perspective on how counseling has changed over the decades and how it has influenced culture and vise versa. We also discussing some of the major issues that the field currently faces including technology, AI and the loneliness epidemic. __________ Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: htt...

The inner workings of our brains have long been a mystery and to a large extent they still are. However what we do know about brain science gives enormous hope for what can be accomplished to heal mental illness. Video of neurons connecting Temple Grandin’s book, The Autistic Brain https://www.amazon.com/Autistic-Brain-Temple-Grandin/dp/0544227735 Temple Grandin’s brain scan https://www.lrdc.pitt....

If I am constantly evolving, never the same, and can be anything I want, what even am I? Is there even an "I" that exists? In this episode, I discuss where we derive our meaning, what our lives are for and the practical application of these concepts to mental health and therapy. __________________________________________________________________________ Understanding Psychology from a Christian Per...

A therapist's review of Abigail Shrier's best-selling book, Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up. __________________________________________________________________________ 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/ Thi...

As a therapist and mother of three (one whom is soon to be born), I reflect on mental health factors in pregnancy and new motherhood as well as some biblical applications that this time of life can exemplify. This is my last episode before I go on maternity leave. I will see you all in a few months! ______ Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course:  https://www.udemy.com/cours...

"'Have peace now,’ she said, ‘until the morning! Heed no nightly noises! For nothing passes door and window here save moonlight and starlight and the wind off the hill-top. Good night!’  In this episode, I explore a beautiful example of a therapeutic relationship in action through the example of Tom Bombadil and Goldberry from Lord of the Rings. I also discuss how you can offer an environment of h...

Depression rates have risen to staggering proportions in the past several years. In this episode, I discuss this trend as well as a model for understanding and treating depression. I then explore the basis this model has in the wisdom of Ecclesiastes. Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course:  https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377B...

"Physically healthy Dutch woman, 28, decides to be euthanized due to crippling depression." This headline has been making the rounds of news outlets and social media alike. How should we as Christians respond to a cultural push toward euthanasia for mental health? My guest hospice chaplain and pastor, Krag Runzi, relates his experience of ministering to those in the process of dying, explores the...

This episode dives deep into the philosophical assumptions of narrative therapy, an increasingly popular paradigm for understanding the human mind and behavior in therapy. Are we constructing the narrative of our lives in therapy or uncovering it? (Apologies for the sound quality, it does get better in future episodes!) Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.ud...

Dr. Dawn Irons exposes the double standards of cultural competency when it comes to training counselors to treat clients of faith which is becoming increasingly present at universities and professional organizations. E-course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episo...

Hannah Mills died as a result of the standard treatments for mental illness of her day. Listen to the story of how a foundation of faith led to needed reforms in the field of psychology.   Preview my e-course here: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/   This is a public episode. If you...