Pastoral Psychiatry from the Orthodox Perspective

About the Book: Exploring mental health through the lens of theology, particularly in the Orthodox Christian Tradition, offers a rich and profound understanding of the human psyche, deeply rooted in ancient spiritual wisdom. Pastoral Psychiatry in the Orthodox Perspective seeks to bridge the gap between modern psychiatric practices and the rich theological Traditions of the Orthodox Church, illustrating how the perspectives of early Christian scholars and Church Fathers can inform contemporary approaches to mental health care. This work uncovers the deep spiritual, moral, and theological insights that have shaped the Orthodox Church's understanding of mental health and offers a compelling argument for integrating these insights into modern psychiatric and pastoral counseling practices. The book emphasizes that the Orthodox approach to mental health is holistic, considering both the physical and spiritual well-being of the individual. Unlike the often compartmentalized treatment strategies of contemporary psychiatry, which may isolate mental health from spiritual well-being, Orthodox Christian care views the person as an integrated whole. Pastoral care, therefore, becomes not just a method of offering counsel but also a deeply spiritual practice that incorporates prayer, confession, fasting, and the guidance of a spiritual father. This holistic view is particularly relevant in treating mental illness in a way that respects the dignity of the person as created in the image of God and invites the person to be healed not only in the mind but also in the soul.About the Author: Abba Hailegebriel Girma is a professor at Holy Trinity University, where he is a Vice President. He earned his doctorate degrees in Counseling (PhD) from NTS and in Educational Leadership (EdD) from Taft University. Prior to that, he studied Information Studies (Leeds Beckett University), International Development at Birkbeck, University of London, and Theology (Universities of Leeds and Wales). Prof. Abba Hailegebriel teaches Research Methodology, Pedagogy, Academic Study Skills, Orthodox Psychotherapy, Counseling/ Psychology, Leadership, Orthodox Spirituality, and Theology. He is also the author of Research Methodology for Theological Studies, An Examination of the Impact of Multiculturalism on Educators, Counseling Psychology, and International Development: Essay on Concept of Development, Leadership and Governance in Communities. Read more