OLOGY | The Presence and Practice of Collaborative Psychotherapy: Applications of “Beyond the Clinical Hour”

James Sells, Ph.D., Hughes Endowed Chair of Mental Health and Christian Thought and Co-Director of the Charis Institute, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA

The services rendered in the name of human care are in constant transition. We know these services to be called “therapy.” What was the work of pastors and spiritual leaders became the work of professional clinicians within the culture. Psychologists, social workers, counselors and marriage/family therapists offer excellent care to people with mental illness, trauma, addictions and developmental or circumstantial adjustments.

Currently, the demand for therapeutic services outpaces the capacity to render treatment. Many empirical measures suggest the people with unmet needs are in the 10s of millions every year. A plurality of non-clinical and non-licensing graduate programs have emerged in recent years. This is seen in many contexts but is particularly prominent in the Church. For example, ATS estimates about 25,000 students enrolled in non-clinical counseling ministry programs, compared to 75,000 CACREP enrolled students. In addition, there are now estimated to be more than 100,000 certified peer specialists paid through Medicaid, Veterans Affairs and some private insurance carriers.

The rise of non-professional, non-clinical care givers INCREASES, not diminishes the opportunity for the professional clinician. This is perhaps particularly true for those therapists equipped to collaborate with churches. Come learn how. . .

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