Psychologists, counselors, social workers and those in related fields will have the opportunity to hear and observe various models of integrating counseling and Christian faith when the Bryan Institute for Critical Thought and Practice and Richmont Graduate University co-host “Into the Counseling Room: Five Approaches to Counseling and Christianity” on Nov. 2-3. 

In addition to snapshots of these five models, counselors will offer a clinical demonstration of their method. All sessions will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. 

Bryan Institute Director Dr. Daryl Charles said, “The goal of the symposium is to explore the diverse ways and tensions of relating Christian faith and counseling to people in a clinical setting. How does our approach work with clients who have a wide range of mental, emotional and spiritual challenges? From a Christian standpoint, is there a ‘best’ or ‘most effective’ method, and what should be the goal of the clinical moment?” Select topics scheduled for discussion include “When Pornography Persists: Sin, Addiction, or Psychopathology?” “Reimbursement and Counseling Fees: Who Pays?” and “How is God Active in Christian Counseling?” 

The event will be moderated by Dr. Timothy A. Sisemore, director of research and professor of psychology and counseling at Richmont Graduate University, and Dr. Stephen P. Greggo, professor of counseling at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Sisemore and Greggo are co-editors of the recently-released InterVarsity Press volume Counseling and Christianity: Five Approaches. 

Speakers include Dr. Diane Langberg, a faculty member at Westminster Theological Seminary and director of Langberg and Associates, a group practice in suburban Philadelphia; Dr. Mark R. McMinn, professor of psychology at George Fox University; Dr. Gary W. Moon, executive director of the Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and the Dallas Willard Center for Christian Spiritual Formation at Westmont College; Dr. Thomas G. Plante, professor of psychology at Santa Clara University and adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine; and Dr. Stuart W. Scott,  who teaches biblical counseling at The Southern Baptist Seminary. 

Registration is open online. Psychologists also may register for 10 continuing education credits.