SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Dr. Geoff Sutton, EU professor emeritus of psychology, recently published a book on counseling titled “Counseling and Psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians.” The work is designed to help mental health professionals expand their cultural competence to better serve Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian clients.
“This book is designed to increase awareness of and knowledge about those whose faith falls within Pentecostal culture,” said Sutton.
A focus of the book is on the assessment and treatment of individuals with mental health needs who claim a Pentecostal and/or Charismatic faith tradition, based on a review of research and recommendations from experienced clinicians.
Drawing on studies of mental health within the Pentecostal faith tradition, including those conducted by Evangel professors Dr. Sheri Phillips, Dr. Heather Kelly, and Dr. Christine Arnzen, the book reviews best practices to help Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians draw on their faith when confronting a range of mental health issues.
Sutton’s focus on Charismatic Christians is based on the recognition that counseling those within this faith tradition requires a customized approach.
“Previous research indicates that Pentecostal Christians are a group of people with unique characteristics,” Kelly said.
“This book draws together several lines of research in a landmark effort to help us better understand and serve the mental health needs of Pentecostals.”
While Christian counseling books can be found, the Pentecostal worldview is not well-represented or addressed within the counseling community.
“This book is the authoritative source to help mental health professionals, lay helpers, and others understand people who adhere to pentecostal and charismatic practices, values, and beliefs,” said Dr. Everett Worthington, commonwealth professor emeritus of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.
A native of London, England, Geoffrey Sutton earned his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri and is the author of more than 100 publications.
His book may be ordered on Amazon and other connected retailers.
A 50% discount is currently being offered on e-book orders placed through Google Books. Enter code 9HCKZ0ZW7WT7A at checkout.
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Evangel University, with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Christian university committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the Church and society globally. Evangel and AGTS serve more than 2,200 students from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, offering 70 undergraduate majors and 19 master and doctoral degrees.