The Institute for Spirituality and Health to Host 30th Annual Psychotherapy & Faith Conference: “Faith in the Life and Work of the Therapist: Turning the Lens Around” Set for Nov. 5

NEWS RELEASE

The Institute for Spirituality and Health (the Institute) is once again shining a light on the need for mental health professionals to consider the role that faith and spirituality play in their pivotal work in helping others. The focus of the Institute’s 30th Annual Psychotherapy & Faith Conference is "Faith in the Life and Work of the Therapist: Turning the Lens Around.” The conference will be held virtually this year on Nov. 5.

The Institute invites psychologists, psychiatrists, addiction counselors, social workers, clergy, and other non-profit organizations focused on mental and emotional health to attend. Conference organizers encourage attendees to self-reflect as they hear from a panel of esteemed experts who will share their convictions that psychotherapy, as well as a broader range of healing practices, is enhanced by considering the ways in which faith and spirituality are woven into the therapeutic process.

Lisa Miller, PhD, a professor, researcher, and clinical psychologist, will serve as the keynote speaker for the event. Miller, best known for being a research scholar and New York Times best-selling author (The Spiritual Child; The Awakened Brain) on spirituality in psychology, will present her talk, "Fostering Faith Development." Other speakers include Jon G. Allen, PhD, formerly of The Menninger Clinic; Abbot Gaelyn Godwin of the Houston Zen Center; and Carolyn Jacobs, MSW, PHD, Dean Emerita of Smith College of Social Work.

John Graham, MD, president and CEO of the Institute, will moderate a panel discussion of mental health experts, including Stephen Thorney, MDiv, MA, retired chaplain; Manizeh Mirza-Gruber, MD; Andrea Stolar, MD; and Shweta Sharma, PsyD. The day will conclude with a conversation between Jim Lomax, MD, a psychoanalyst with Baylor College of Medicine, and Kenneth Pargament, PhD, emeritus professor of psychology at Bowling Green State University.

For the past 30 years, the Annual Psychotherapy and Faith Conference has served as a forum for mental health professionals and faith community leaders to exchange ideas and thoughts on a wide variety of topics ranging from depression and anxiety to faith and hope to child rearing and sanctification.

The conference is co-sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine, The Menninger Clinic, and Saybrook University.

"Understandably, education for mental health professionals has always centered around the needs and well-being of patients they wish to help," said Stuart Nelson, MA, vice president of the Institute. "In doing so, we neglect to discuss the role of a clinician's faith – whether that be religious, spiritual, or secular – and how it influences the treatment of their patients. We are pleased to offer this conference in a virtual format in 2021, which enables people from all over the world to join us as their schedule allows.”

General admission to the conference is $155 and $75 for students and retired professionals. Attendees will be awarded 5.25 continuing education units. For more information and to register, visit https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/events/2021/11/5/30th-annual-psychotherapy-amp-faith-conference.

About The Institute
Founded in 1955, the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center was originally known as the Institute of Religion. Today, its Board of Trustees includes representation from each of the major faith traditions as well as leading medical, nursing, and servant leaders. From its inception, the Institute has been dedicated to the concept that humans are spiritual beings and that spirituality plays a vital role in health and healing. Each year, the Institute hosts a Nursing Conference, a Psychotherapy and Faith Conference, and are co-sponsors of the national Conference on Medicine and Religion. The Institute offers programs both live and virtually on spirituality and health-related topics. The Institute’s website is https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org.

The mission of the Institute for Spirituality and Health is to enhance well-being by exploring the relationship between spirituality and health. The Institute advances this mission by engaging in education, research, and direct service programs, guided by the recognition that humans are spiritual beings and that connection is essential to well-being.

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Media Contacts:
Laura Pennino, Senior PR Consultant for The Institute for Spirituality and Health
281-286-9398 office
713 419 1776 mobile
lp@penninoandpartners.com

Leah Adams, Vice President of Engagement
Institute for Spirituality and Health
713-797-0600 office
ladams@ish-tmc.org