The Crossroads of Faith and Mental Health

I’ve been a chaplain at an inpatient psychiatric hospital for over 12 years. I’m fascinated by the role spirituality can play in supporting mental health.  I’ve seen firsthand how prayer can shift our perspective and traditions can keep us grounded.  Our beliefs and practices give us meaning and hope amid the darker times in our lives.  The more I learn about contemporary mental health research, the more I see science finally catching up to the deep-rooted wisdom of spiritual traditions.  I love helping people dig into their own faith and find the tools they need to cope with their current struggles.

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I come from a Christian tradition that values thoughtful, curious engagement with the world.  The stories of the Bible are my native spiritual language, and I’ve always been drawn to the contemplative side of Christian spirituality.  In my chaplaincy I’ve encountered a wide range of faith traditions and observed some common themes despite their obvious differences.  I’m intrigued by the similarity of meditative prayer practices across different religions.  These ancient tools, tested by generations of wise and faithful people, offer practical benefits for managing difficult thoughts and emotions.

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I hope my work can help you explore faith more deeply as a source of healing and growth.  I write and speak from my own Christian experience, but many of the practices and insights are applicable to people of other spiritual perspectives as well.  Whether you have a diagnosed mental illness, care for someone with mental health struggles, or simply want to manage the everyday stress of life, I’m glad you’re here.  Mental health is a spectrum that we all shift along throughout our lives.  Spirituality is an essential component of finding balance, and I look forward to sharing the journey with you.