Courses

This course will survey the broad categories and most common faces of psychological distress and dysfunction, with an emphasis on tracing the common theme and effects of trauma physiologically, behaviorally, emotionally, cognitively, relationally, and spiritually. Major diagnoses of mental illness will be reviewed, along with the current understandings of etiology and contemporary treatment approaches, including pharmacology.  An additional emphasis will be on understanding the brain-behavior connection in human psychological distress, as well as exploring the perspectives from diverse cultures, including integration with Christian Scripture and theology.  The goal of the course is to understand ourselves and others better as we grapple with the consequences of “when something goes wrong” in life and in relationships and deepen compassion for ourselves and others as we try to heal those consequences through relationship and faith, in contexts of professional and pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, and wider church ministry. A final exam will ensure mastery of material in preparation for professional examination standards.

Trigger Alert: By necessity, this course will include discussions of some very graphic traumatic situations. Since we cannot hope to help others, if we are not in a healing journey ourselves, this course will also encourage self-disclosure at the level of comfort of the participant through reflection papers and other activities.  Some self-surveys will not be handed in to the instructor, and do not need to be shared with anyone else unless the student wishes.  The aim is to encourage self-evaluation consistent with the themes of the course.  If any student has concerns about this course, please contact the instructor privately.

Knowing

• To describe psychopathology and mental illness through a bio-psycho-social-spiritual lens (CRPO 1.7)
• To explain how psychopathology and mental illness are related to adaptation to various types of trauma, especially developmental trauma (CRPO 1.4, 5.1)
• To distinguish the most frequent major diagnoses in mental health, their etiology, and contemporary treatment approaches (CRPO 1.3, 1.3a), including psychopharmacology (CRPO 1.3.3, 1.3.4)
• To understand the strengths and limitations of diagnostic classifications and their application in practice (CRPO 1.3b)

Being

• To engage in self-reflection to understand one’s own values and biases around issues of mental health and emotional dysfunction (CRPO 1.2)
• To increase comfort with self-disclosure, within one’s own sense of safety and boundaries and as appropriate to the assignments and class discussion, to support self-development and growth (CRPO 1.3)
• To practice empathic and respectful listening, reflection and communication during class discussions (CRPO 3.1)
• To increase tolerance in hearing others’ pain and being open to the experience of one’s own pain (CRPO 1.3)

Doing

• To read about contemporary descriptions and categories of psychopathology, and discuss perspectives on how psychopathology might be understood through a Scriptural lens, as well as other cultural lenses (CRPO 1.6, 4.2)
• To become familiar with professional journal articles related to the secular study of psychopathology, and demonstrate competence in appropriate psychology research and professional writing (CRPO competencies 1.8, 5.4; Ethical Standard 5.3)
• To be able to identify possible symptoms of mental illness that may need referral to and intervention by a medical or other mental health professional (CRPO 3.1, 3.1a, 3.1b,3.2.1, 3.2.2)
• To reflect on and discuss how we can promote compassionate awareness of and dialogue with the mentally ill in our congregations and communities
• To reflect on and discuss how our own Christian world view, culture, and personal experiences have influenced our views of mental illness (CRPO 1.2, 1.5)
• To develop a beginning “working theory” of the relationship of mental illness to sin, evil, and demonic activity, and how it might interact with faith