The Christian Psychologist: Mental Health for 21st Century Christ Followers
Joshua Knabb
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 2, 2022 • 57min
Episode 6: Avoidance
This discussion dives into the psychological concept of experiential avoidance and its impact on mental health. It challenges the notion that happiness can be achieved without engaging with pain. Personal narratives illustrate the importance of confronting grief and embracing emotions for healing. The philosophy of early desert Christians encourages listeners to endure struggles rather than avoid them. Lament Psalms are highlighted as a powerful tool for processing suffering and finding divine comfort.
Sep 25, 2022 • 48min
Episode 5: Silence
ReferencesBill, J. (2005). Holy silence: The gift of Quaker spirituality (2nd ed.). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.Chryssavgis, J. (2008). In the heart of the desert: The spirituality of the desert fathers and mothers. World Wisdom, Inc.Kelly, T. (1992). A testament of devotion. HarperCollins.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Lehrhaupt, L., & Meibert, P. (2017). Mindfulness-based stress reduction: The MBSR program for enhancing health and vitality. New World Library.Novotney, A. (2011). Silence, please: Psychologists are increasingly aware of the harmful effects noise has on cognition and health. Monitor on Psychology, 42, 46.Pfeifer, E., & Wittmann, M. (2020). Waiting, thinking, and feeling: Variations in the perception of time during silence. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-11.Valle, R. (2019). Toward a psychology of silence. The Humanistic Psychologist, 47, 219-261.
Sep 18, 2022 • 47min
Episode 4: Uncertainty
ReferencesBarclay, W. (1974). New testament words. Westminster John Knox Press.Beasley-Topliffe, K. (Ed.). (2003). Providence. Upper Room Books.Colombiere, C. (1980). Trustful surrender to divine providence: The secret of peace and happiness. Tan Books.Dugas, M., & Robichaud, M. (2007). Cognitive-behavioral treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: From science to practice. Routledge.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Knabb, J., & Frederick, T. (2017). Contemplative prayer for Christians with chronic worry: An eight-week program. Routledge.Knabb, J., Frederick, T., & Cumming, G. (2017). Surrendering to God’s providence: A three-part study on providence-focused therapy for recurrent worry (PFT-RW). Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 9, 180-196.Sexton, K. A., & Dugas, M. J. (2009). Defining distinct negative beliefs about uncertainty: Validating the factor structure of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Psychological Assessment, 21, 176–186.
Sep 15, 2022 • 44min
Episode 3: Mind Wandering
ReferencesBeeke, J., & Jones, M. (2012). A Puritan theology: Doctrine for life. Reformation Heritage BooksGiannandrea, A., Simione, L., & Pescatori, B. (2019). Effects of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program on mind wandering and dispositional mindfulness facets. Mindfulness, 10, 185–195.Hall, J. (2016). The art of divine meditation. Titus Books.Killingsworth, M., & Gilbert, D. (2010). A wandering mind is an unhappy mind. Science, 330, 932.Knabb, J. (2018). Returning to our biblical roots: Christian meditation as a psychological response to mind wandering. CounselEd, 1-6.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Mooneyham, B., & Schooler, J. (2013). The costs and benefits of mind-wandering: A review. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 67, 11-18.Salavera C., & Usán P. (2020). The mediating role of affects between mind-wandering and happiness. Sustainability, 12, 5139.Strong, J. (2001). The new Strong’s expanded dictionary of the words in the Hebrew Bible.Thomas Nelson.Watson, T. (2014). A treatise concerning meditation. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.White, T. (2013). Instructions for the art of divine meditation. Puritan Publications.Zedelius, C., & Schooler, J. (2018). How different types of mind-wandering affect cognition and behavior. In K. Fox & K. Christoff (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of spontaneous thought: Mid-wandering, creativity, and dreaming (pp. 233- 247). Oxford University Press.
Sep 15, 2022 • 46min
Episode 2: Negative Thinking
ReferencesEhring, T., & Watkins, E. (2008). Repetitive negative thinking as a transdiagnostic process. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 1, 192-205.Ehring, T., Zetsche, U., Weidacker, K., Wahl, K., Schonfeld, S., & Ehlers, A. (2011). The Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ): Validation of a content-independent measure of repetitive negative thinking. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 42, 225-232.Goodwin, T. (2015). The vanity of thoughts. Chapel Library.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.Segal, Z., Williams, J., & Teasdale, J. (2012). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.Talbot, J. (2013). The Jesus prayer: A cry for mercy, a path of renewal. InterVarsity Press.Thaddeus, E. (2012). Our thoughts determine our lives: The life and teachings of elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica. St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood.
Sep 10, 2022 • 1h 7min
Episode 1: Introduction
ReferencesHayes, S. (2022). The most important skill set in mental health. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/get-out-your-mind/202208/the-most-important-skill-set-in-mental-healthJohnson, E. (Ed.). (2013). Psychology & Christianity: Five views. InterVarsity Press.Knabb, J. (2022). Faith-based ACT for Christian clients: An integrative treatment approach (2nd ed.). Routledge.Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.Knabb, J., Vazquez, V., Pate, R., Lowell, J., & Wang, K. (2021). Lectio divina for trauma-related emotions: A two-week program. Unpublished manual.
