
The Christian Psychologist: Mental Health for 21st Century Christ Followers
My name is Dr. Joshua Knabb. I’m a board-certified clinical psychologist and 21st century Christ follower. Early in life, I experienced overwhelming psychological suffering, which led me down a path of wandering away from the Christian faith in my adolescent years, reminiscent of the Lost Son in Luke’s Gospel, returning to my Christian heritage in my early 20s, my own psychotherapy in my mid-20s, and, ultimately, a life committed to understanding and pursuing psychological and spiritual health as I now head into the middle years of my life. Please join me as we devote each week to better understanding secular and Christian perspectives on mental health and the intersection between psychology and Christianity, then engage in a 10-minute practice to conclude each episode, drawing upon Christian meditation, prayer, and contemplation. Above all else, my aim in this podcast is to journey with fellow Christ followers, as well as those who are curious about the rich heritage of Christian psychological and spiritual insights into the human condition, doing so with humility and curiosity as we strive to cultivate Christlikeness in all we do.
For more information, please visit me at my website: joshuaknabb.com.
The information in this podcast is intended to be educational and in no way a form of, or substitute for, professional counseling or psychotherapy. If you are in crisis or suicidal, please call 9-1-1, go to the local emergency room, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. If you need a Christian mental health professional, referral networks can be found at the American Association of Christian Counselors (connect.aacc.net) or Christian Association for Psychological Studies (caps.net/online-directory) websites.
Introduction beat provided by freebeats.io.
Show art by Justin Kowalski.
Latest episodes

Jan 14, 2024 • 28min
Episode 54: Cognitive Distortions
Explore the complex world of cognitive distortions and their impact on mental well-being. Discover how distorted thinking shapes emotions and behaviors from both psychological and Christian perspectives. Learn about cognitive behavioral therapy techniques that effectively address negative thought patterns. Dive into the importance of renewing one's mind with biblical insights, emphasizing balanced thinking over mere positivity. Gain practical strategies for recognizing and correcting these unhelpful thought patterns to foster emotional and spiritual growth.

Dec 10, 2023 • 31min
Episode 53: Forgiveness
ReferencesAPA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Forgiveness. https://dictionary.apa.org/forgivenessBeeke, J., & Jones, M. (2012). A Puritan theology: Doctrine for life. Reformation Heritage Books.Davis, J. C. (2001). Pardoning Puritanism: Community, character, and forgiveness in the work of Richard Baxter. Journal of Religious Ethics, 29(2), 283-306.Gao, F., Li, Y., & Bai, X. (2022). Forgiveness and subjective well-being: A meta-analysis review. Personality and Individual Differences, 186, 111350.Holman Bible Dictionary. (2004). Forgiveness. Holman Bible Publishers.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Lin, Y., Worthington Jr., E. L., Griffin, B. J., Greer, C. L., Opare‐Henaku, A., Lavelock, C. R., & Muller, H. (2014). Efficacy of REACH forgiveness across cultures. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(9), 781-793.Rasmussen, K. R., Stackhouse, M., Boon, S. D., Comstock, K., & Ross, R. (2019). Meta-analytic connections between forgiveness and health: The moderating effects of forgiveness-related distinctions. Psychology & Health, 34(5), 515-534.Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation. (2003). Forgiveness. Upper Room Books. Wade, N. G., Worthington Jr, E. L., & Meyer, J. E. (2005). But do they work? A meta-analysis of group interventions to promote forgiveness. Handbook of Forgiveness, 423-440.Wade, N. G., Hoyt, W. T., Kidwell, J. E., & Worthington Jr., E. L. (2014). Efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions to promote forgiveness: a meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 82(1), 154.Worthington, E. (2003). Forgiving and reconciling: Bridges to wholeness and hope. InterVarsity Press.Worthington, E. (n.d.). REACH forgiveness of others. http://www.evworthington-forgiveness.com/reach-forgiveness-of-others

Nov 26, 2023 • 33min
Episode 52: The Ordinary Life
ReferencesFeldman, G., Hayes, A., Kumar, S., Greeson, J., & Laurenceau, J. P. (2007). Mindfulness and emotion regulation: The development and initial validation of the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R). Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 29, 177-190.Horton, M. (2014). Ordinary: Sustainable faith in a radical, restless world. Zondervan.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Lawrence, B. (2015). The practice of the presence of God. ICS Publications.Rendall Risner, V. (2016). What does it really mean to be #blessed? https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-blessedSiegel, R. (2022). The extraordinary gift of being ordinary: Finding happiness right where you are. The Guilford Press.

Nov 12, 2023 • 32min
Episode 51: Shame
ReferencesAPA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Shame. https://dictionary.apa.org/shameBonhoeffer, D. (1955). Ethics. Touchstone.Bonhoeffer, D. (1959). Creation and fall. Touchstone.Ceclan, A. A., & Nechita, D. M. (2021). The effects of self‐compassion components on shame‐proneness in individuals with depression: An exploratory study. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 28(5), 1103-1110.Cohen, T., Wolf, S., Panter, A., & Insko, C. (2011). Introducing the GASP scale: A new measure of guilt and shame proneness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100, 947-966.Gilbert, P. (1998). What is shame? Some core issues and controversies. In P. Gilbert & B. Andrews (Eds.), Shame: Interpersonal behavior, psychopathology, and culture (pp. 3-38). Oxford University Press.Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2009). Shame, self-criticism, and self-compassion in adolescence. In N. Allen & L. Sheeber (Eds.), Adolescent emotional development and the emergence of depressive disorders (pp. 195-214). Cambridge University Press.Knabb, J. (2018). The compassion-based workbook for Christian clients: Finding freedom from shame and negative self-judgments. Routledge.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.MacBeth, A., & Gumley, A. (2012). Exploring compassion: A meta-analysis of the association between self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review, 32(6), 545-552.Neff, K. D. (2016). The self-compassion scale is a valid and theoretically coherent measure of self-compassion. Mindfulness, 7, 264-274.Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary. (2014). Shame. Thomas Nelson.Reilly, E. B., & Stuyvenberg, C. L. (2022). A meta-analysis of loving-kindness meditations on self-compassion. Mindfulness, 1-12.Scheel, C. N., Eisenbarth, H., & Rentzsch, K. (2020). Assessment of different dimensions of shame proneness: Validation of the SHAME. Assessment, 27(8), 1699-1717.Tangney, J., Wagner, P., & Gramzow, R. (1992). Proneness to shame, proneness to guilt, and psychopathology. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 101, 469-478.Vazquez, V., Knabb, J., Lee-Johnson, C., & Hays, K. (2023). Healing conversations on race: Four key practices from Scripture and psychology. IVP Academic.

Oct 29, 2023 • 33min
Episode 50: Contempt
ReferencesAPA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Contempt. https://dictionary.apa.org/contemptBarclay, W. (1974). New Testament words. SCM Press.King James Dictionary. (n.d.). Contempt. https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/contempt.htmlKnabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Salsberg, S. (1995). Lovingkindness: The revolutionary art of happiness. Shambhala Publications, Inc.Schriber, R. A., Chung, J. M., Sorensen, K. S., & Robins, R. W. (2017). Dispositional contempt: A first look at the contemptuous person. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(2), 280.Shonin, E., Van Gordon, W., Compare, A., Zangeneh, M., & Griffiths, M. D. (2015). Buddhist-derived loving-kindness and compassion meditation for the treatment of psychopathology: A systematic review. Mindfulness, 6, 1161-1180.Strong’s Concordance. (n.d.). Eleos. https://biblehub.com/greek/1656.htmStrong’s Concordance. (n.d.). Exoutheneo. https://biblehub.com/greek/1848.htmThe Gottman Institute. (n.d.). The four horsemen: Contempt. https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-four-horsemen-contempt/

Oct 15, 2023 • 25min
Episode 49: Hope
ReferencesAPA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Hope. https://dictionary.apa.org/hopeBarclay, W. (1974). New Testament words. SCM Press.Beeke, J., & Jones, M. (2012). A Puritan theology: Doctrine for life. Reformation Heritage Books.Corn, B. W., Feldman, D. B., & Wexler, I. (2020). The science of hope. The Lancet Oncology, 21(9), e452-e459.Favale, D., Nacci, M., Bellomo, A., Torales, J., Castaldelli-Maia, J. M., & Ventriglio, A. (2023). Hope and resilience among patients affected by unipolar and bipolar depression. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 00207640221147166.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Rustøen, T., Cooper, B. A., & Miaskowski, C. (2011). A longitudinal study of the effects of a hope intervention on levels of hope and psychological distress in a community-based sample of oncology patients. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 15(4), 351-357.Snyder, C. R., Sympson, S. C., Ybasco, F. C., Borders, T. F., Babyak, M. A., & Higgins, R. L. (1996). Development and validation of the State Hope Scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(2), 321.

Oct 1, 2023 • 35min
Episode 48: The Observing Self
ReferencesConiaris, A. (1998). Philokalia. The Bible of orthodox spirituality. Light & Life Publishing Company.Goodwin, R. (1999). Give us this day: The story of prayer. Lindisfarne Books.Harmless, W. (2004). Desert Christians: An introduction to the literature of early monasticism. Oxford University Press.Harris, R. (2019). ACT made simple: An easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy (2nd ed.). New Harbinger Publications, Inc.Hayes, S. (2005). Get out of your mind and into your life: The new acceptance & commitment therapy. New Harbinger Publications, Inc.Hayes, S. (2019). A liberated mind: How to pivot toward what matters. Avery.Hayes, S., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Knabb, J. (2022). Faith-based ACT for Christian clients: An integrative treatment approach (2nd ed.). Routledge.Laird, M. (2006). Into the silent land: A guide to the Christian practice of contemplation. Oxford University Press.Mathewes-Green, F. (2009). The Jesus prayer: The ancient desert prayer that tunes the heart to God. Paraclete Press.Nassif, B. (2012). Bringing Jesus to the desert. Zondervan.Nesteruk, A. (2003). Light from the East: Theology, science, and the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Fortress Press.Ridderbos, H. (1975). Paul: An outline of his theology. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.Smith, A. (2013). Philokalia: The Eastern Christian spiritual texts. Skylight Paths.Talbot, J. (2013). The Jesus prayer: A cry for mercy, a path of renewal. InterVarsity Press.

Sep 17, 2023 • 34min
Episode 47: Resilience
ReferencesAPA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Resilience. https://dictionary.apa.org/resilienceBarclay, W. (1974). New Testament words. Westminster John Knox Press.Galante, J., Dufour, G., Vainre, M., Wagner, A. P., Stochl, J., Benton, A., & Jones, P. B. (2018). A mindfulness-based intervention to increase resilience to stress in university students (the Mindful Student Study): A pragmatic randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Public Health, 3(2), e72-e81.Herrman, H., Stewart, D. E., Diaz-Granados, N., Berger, E. L., Jackson, B., & Yuen, T. (2011). What is resilience? The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(5), 258-265.Joyce, S., Shand, F., Tighe, J., Laurent, S. J., Bryant, R. A., & Harvey, S. B. (2018). Road to resilience: A systematic review and meta-analysis of resilience training programmes and interventions. BMJ Open, 8(6), e017858.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Liu, J. J., Ein, N., Gervasio, J., Battaion, M., Reed, M., & Vickers, K. (2020). Comprehensive meta-analysis of resilience interventions. Clinical Psychology Review, 82, 101919.Reformed Church in America. (n.d.). Belgic confession, article 13: The doctrine of God’s providence. https://www.rca.org/resources/belgic-confession-article-13-doctrine-gods-providenceSmith, B. W., Dalen, J., Wiggins, K., Tooley, E., Christopher, P., & Bernard, J. (2008). The brief resilience scale: Assessing the ability to bounce back. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 15, 194-200.Wilhoit, J., & Howard, E. (2012). Discovering lectio divina: Bringing Scripture into ordinary life. InterVarsity Press.

Sep 3, 2023 • 41min
Episode 46: Compulsivity
ReferencesAPA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). Compulsion. https://dictionary.apa.org/compulsionBorgogna, N. C., Garos, S., Meyer, C. L., Trussell, M. R., & Kraus, S. W. (2022). A review of behavioral interventions for compulsive sexual behavior disorder. Current Addiction Reports, 9(3), 99-108.Bowen, S., Chawla, N., & Marlatt, G. (2010). Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for addictive behaviors: A clinician’s guide. The Guilford Press.Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. (2012). Foundations of addiction counseling (2nd ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.Harmless, W. (2004). Desert Christians: An introduction to the literature of early monasticism. Oxford University Press.Hook, R. W., Grant, J. E., Ioannidis, K., Tiego, J., Yücel, M., Wilkinson, P., & Chamberlain, S. R. (2021). Trans-diagnostic measurement of impulsivity and compulsivity: A review of self-report tools. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 120, 455-469.Kempis, T. (2003). The imitation of Christ. Dover Publications.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Muela, I., Navas, J. F., Ventura-Lucena, J. M., & Perales, J. C. (2022). How to pin a compulsive behavior down: A systematic review and conceptual synthesis of compulsivity-sensitive items in measures of behavioral addiction. Addictive Behaviors, 134, 107410.Pseftogianni, F., Panagioti, M., Birtwell, K., & Angelakis, I. (2023). Mindfulness interventions for obsessive–compulsive and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. Advance online publication.Shonin, E., & Van Gordon, W. (2016). The mechanisms of mindfulness in the treatment of mental illness and addiction. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 14, 844-849.Tiego, J., Trender, W., Hellyer, P. J., Grant, J. E., Hampshire, A., & Chamberlain, S. R. (2023). Measuring compulsivity as a self-reported multidimensional transdiagnostic construct: Large-scale (N = 182,000) validation of the Cambridge–Chicago Compulsivity Trait Scale. Assessment. Advance online publication.Upper Room Dictionary. (2003). Detachment. Upper Room Books.Upper Room Dictionary. (2003). Sin. Upper Room Books.Ware, K. (1974). Power of the name: The Jesus prayer in Orthodox spirituality. SLG Press.

Aug 20, 2023 • 33min
Episode 45: Humility
ReferencesBollinger, R. A., & Hill, P. C. (2012). Humility. In T. G. Plante (Ed.), Religion, spirituality, and positive psychology: Understanding the psychological fruits of faith (pp. 31–47). Praeger.Davis, D. E., Worthington Jr, E. L., & Hook, J. N. (2010). Humility: Review of measurement strategies and conceptualization as personality judgment. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 5(4), 243-252.Holman Bible Dictionary. (2004). Humility. Holman Bible Publishers.Kempis, T. (2021). Humility: And the elevation of the mind to God. TAN Books.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Lavelock, C. R., Worthington Jr, E. L., Davis, D. E., Griffin, B. J., Reid, C. A., Hook, J. N., & Van Tongeren, D. R. (2014). The quiet virtue speaks: An intervention to promote humility. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 42(1), 99-110.McElroy-Heltzel, S. E., Davis, D. E., DeBlaere, C., Worthington Jr, E. L., & Hook, J. N. (2019). Embarrassment of riches in the measurement of humility: A critical review of 22 measures. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(3), 393-404.Murray, A. (2012). Humility. Fig Books.Ortlund, G. (2023). Humility: The joy of self-forgetfulness. Crossway.Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation. (2003). Humility. Upper Room Books.Van Tongeren, D. (2022). Humble: Free yourself from the traps of a narcissistic world. The Experiment, LLC.Weidman, A. C., Cheng, J. T., & Tracy, J. L. (2018). The psychological structure of humility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 114(1), 153.