What character formation is required for soul care professionals, people like therapists, pastors, or spiritual directors? And what does this mean for everyone who follows Jesus?

It is humility and hope, says Dr. Chuck DeGroat. It is doing your work, the work on yourself.

Today we talk about how so often (like pastors) therapists in training receive little character formation even while they receive the information needed to diagnose and remedy mental illnesses. Dr. DeGroat talks about his own pastoral and therapeutic training, how counselors (like pastors) are often taught how to help others without learning to help themselves ("doing your work"), and how cultivating humility and hope will go a little way in solving this problem.

Connect with Dr. Chuck DeGroat here.
And see his new Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Or join Cyd and Geoff in their new Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience.

Chuck DeGroat is a Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality and Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Western Theological Seminary Holland MI. Chuck is a licensed therapist, a spiritual director, and author of five books, one of which is When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse. As a therapist, he specialized in issues of abuse and trauma, and pastoral (and leadership) health.

Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.

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077: Why Humility and Hope is Essential for Therapists & Pastors (Dr. Chuck DeGroat)