A practical theological exploration of psychology and theology as collaborative partners: The Pastoral Counseling Center Trinity Church, Boston, MA
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Abstract
Practical theology brings the resources of theology into collaborative
relationship with other disciplines in an equitable manner. This study analyses the
collaborative relationship between theology and psychology in the delivery of mental
health care at the Pastoral Counseling Center at Trinity Church, Boston, Massachusetts.
Specifically, this study investigates: (1) if and how theology collaborates with
psychology; (2) if and how theology and psychology function as equitable partners;
and (3) the effect, if any, of their collaboration on the clinicians and/or on the mental
health care itself.
Psychological literature sheds light on the collaboration between theology and
psychology. Literature from the field of practical theology gmdes the assessment of
theology’s role in that collaboration. Finally, a theological term, “sanctification,”
receives in-depth analysis for its facilitative role in the collaboration between theology
and psychology.
A qualitative research design structures this project. Interviews with twenty one
clinicians associated with the Pastoral Counseling Center at Trinity Church provide
the primary source of data. On the basis of that data, the study concludes that the
discipline of theology can collaborate with psychology and maintain its role as an
equitable partner. In addition, the study demonstrates that this collaboration engenders
positive effects in the lives of the clinicians, and on the quality of mental health care
the Center provides.
A process of “sanctification” facilitates collaboration between theology and
psychology. This process is formative in the development of the Center’s community
and transformative in the lives of the clinicians and for the mental health care delivered
under the Center’s auspices. The study also suggests areas suitable for future research,
including: (1) the importance of community in the formation and transformation of the
clinicians engaged in delivering mental health care; (b) the development of training
protocols for clinicians engaged in collaborative mental health care; and (c)
investigation of the role and effect of sanctification on collaborative mental health and
those who deliver it.
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This work is being made available in OpenBU by permission of its author, and is available for research purposes only. All rights are reserved to the author.