Enlighten Mental Health Seminar
Empowering People to Help Others
DR. BRAD STRAWN
Dr. Strawn is the Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, Graduate School of Psychology (Pasadena, CA). In this role he teaches, mentors doctoral students and oversees the integration curriculum and the yearly Integration Symposium, a yearly lecture series on the integration of psychology and theology. Brad D. Strawn received his B.A. in psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU, San Diego, CA), his M.A. in theology from Fuller Seminary (Pasadena CA), and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Seminary. After completing a one-year internship at The State University of New York at Stony Brook, he taught for 10 years in the department of psychology at PLNU where he served the last two years as department chair. Brad also conducted a therapy practice in San Diego and obtained advanced psychoanalytic therapy training at the San Diego Psychoanalytic Institute.
Brad’s three intellectual passions have always been theology, psychology and Christian higher education, and in 2006 he left PLNU to become Vice President for Spiritual Development and Dean of the Chapel at Southern Nazarene University (SNU, Bethany, OK). At SNU Brad oversaw the campus spiritual development programs, served as campus chaplain, and taught in the departments of theology and psychology.
Brad maintains his academic interests by publishing and editing in integrative journals such as the Journal of Psychology and Theology, Journal of Psychology & Christianity, Pastoral Psychology, Homiletics, and is the co-editor of the book “Wesleyan Theology and Social Science” and Christianity and Psychoanalysis: A New Conversation. He is co-author of “The Physical Nature of Christian Life: Neuroscience, Psychology & the Church.” Brad is a regular presenter at Christian universities, churches, the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, and the Society for the Study of Psychology and Wesleyan Theology.
Brad also maintains a private practice in Pasadena where he works with adults and couples. Brad is an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene.
Brad enjoys exploring bookstores, listening to music, and spending time with his wife L. Suzanne Strawn. He has two sons currently in college, Evan and Keaton.
Plenary Address #1
The Church as the Body of Christ: Mental Illness and Extending Care
In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul describes the church as the body of Christ, but more frequently the church is less a body and more a loose association of the independently spiritual. In this plenary, Dr. Strawn will describe how human beings are designed to connect and how, when we we do this well, the Church can truly become the body of Christ as well as a special place for those that suffer. The Church, therefore, offers us unique ways to respond to the challenges of mental illness.
Plenary Address #2
The Church as the Body of Christ: Helpful and Unhelpful Responses to Mental Illness
In this second plenary, Dr. Strawn will discuss practical ways in which the church can respond in helpful and unhelpful ways to the challenges of mental illness. This will include mood disorders, bereavement, psychosis and personality disorders.