Mental Illness and Psychiatric Treatment: A Guide for Pastoral Counselors

Rating:
Summary: AN EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION for clergy...
Review: "AN EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION for clergy. . . . IDEAL AS A TEXT FOR SEMINARY CLASSES IN COUNSELING AND PASTORAL CARE. . . . Describes the classic categories of emotional illness and gives concrete guidelines about how clergy can best assist mental health professionals in a holistic approach to health. . . . Points toward avenues of cooperation and greater ease in working with emotionally ill persons and their families. Replete with lively case studies, this book provides a picture of people whom clergy will readily identify as having similar characteristics to members of their own congregations. The sections entitled 'Assessment of Severity' toward the end of most chapters are of great value."

Reviewed by: The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Ihloff, DMin, DD, Bishop of Maryland (Episcopal)

Rating:
Summary: WRITTEN WITH CLARITY AND WITHOUT EXCESSIVE TECHNICAL JARGON
Review: "VERY THOROUGH. . . . Gives the pastor a 'grand tour' of the field of psychiatry and its related disciplines of clinical psychology and counseling. WRITTEN WITH CLARITY AND WITHOUT EXCESSIVE TECHNICAL JARGON, it not only provides clergy with a broad overview of the major disorders, but also gives special emphasis to the knowledge and skills pastors must develop to be effective in identifying, supporting, and referring those in special need to the appropriate mental health professional. One particular feature that gives this book special value is the substantial inclusion of relevant case examples that help to put a face and feeling to the hard facts. Each story is almost like doing 'grand rounds' with a master clinician who points out where and how a pastor can counsel, support, and point the sufferer toward spiritual resources to aid healing."

Reviewed by: Archibald D. Hart, PhD, FPPR, Senior Professor of Psychology and Dean Emeritus, Graduate School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary