KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND PLENARY SESSIONS
DR. DAVID WANG
Dr. David C. Wang is Associate Professor of Psychology at the Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University in La Mirada, CA, and Editor of the Journal of Psychology and Theology. He received his Th.M. from Regent College and Ph.D. from the University of Houston. At Rosemead, Dr. Wang teaches coursework on trauma therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, integration of psychology and the Christian faith, multicultural issues in clinical psychology and structural equation modeling. He conducts research on trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder and consults with the International Justice Mission (a nonprofit organization focused on combating human trafficking) on their trauma-informed care program.
Dr. Wang is currently overseeing research grants on spiritual formation, and character and virtue development (funded by the John Templeton Foundation) and on shame among religious leaders (funded by the Lilly Foundation). He serves on the board of directors for Joya Scholars, a non-profit organization that seeks to inspire and prepare students from families of at-risk communities in Fullerton to succeed through higher education. Dr. Wang is a licensed psychologist who maintains a small clinical practice (in Fullerton and La Mirada). He is also Pastor of Spiritual Formation at One Life City Church. David and his wife, Vivian, live with their two daughters in Fullerton, CA.
Plenary Address # 1
The Ministry of Presence to Broken People in a Broken World: Theological and Psychological Considerations
How do we best care for those in our communities who are struggling with tragedy, grief, and/or mental illness? In the opening plenary address, Dr. Wang will explore both conceptual and practical considerations (drawing from Christian theology and psychological research) relevant to the care of broken people in a broken world.
Plenary Address #2
A Holistic Christian Perspective on Mental Illness
How might Christians understand mental illness? Is it a sign of personal weakness, a deficit of character or spiritual maturity, or of moral failure? In this second plenary address, Dr. Wang will speak about common beliefs among both religious and non-religious communities that contribute to the stigma surrounding mental illness. He will then offer several applications in support of a balanced perspective on mental illness that incorporates spiritual, biological, social, and psychological considerations.