
Disturbed by Mind and Spirit
Mental Health and Healing in Parish Ministry
Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Published on 9. April 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-0-8264-2775-5 (ISBN)
Description
Set in the specific context of a culturally diverse inner urban parish where mental health needs are high and the previous incumbent was murdered by a man with schizophrenia, the book reflects on issues of mental health, loss and trauma which are common to all parishes.It offers a unique exploration of how mental health in a parish setting can be addressed via the dual perspectives of pastoral theology and clinical psychology. It is constructed in pairs of chapters, with each theological chapter followed by its psychological counterpart. Thus psychological thinking is used to reflect upon the liturgical pattern of the Eucharist as a means of deepening our awareness of and response to mental health and trauma.It aims: to help raise the profile of mental health issues present in parish life; to encourage individuals to reflect on their own personal stories, ideas and belief systems, and how these might impact on their ministry and/or discipleship in the context of mental health; to help recognise and acknowledge that mental health is often a stigmatized, forbidden and misunderstood subject; one which has no clear-cut answers, but which challenges our core selves and requires us, if we are to respond to it authentically, to recognise our own strengths and limitations, our areas of expertise, and the times when we need to seek additional help or support; and to offer hope for the renewal of parish life in general, not necessarily through specific strategies and solutions but through a deepened understanding of our shared stories of brokenness and healing.
Reviews / Votes
Author article in Church Times, 9 April 2009 A gentle, yet honestly written and at times painfully open book it has much to offer to help deepen our understanding of the gift of the Eucharist. * thegoodbookstall.com * A thoughtful and emotional book that will resonate with all faiths and beliefs. * Royal College of Psychiatrists website * A brave and honest account. * The Diocese of Monmouth Newsletter, Summer 2009. * This book helps to affirm how relevant some understanding of mental health issues is to parish ministry. * Oxford Diocesan Newsletter, September 2009 * ...I am glad it has been written. It could be useful both for those in ministry training and those already in ministry. * The Door, October 2009 * This is a remarkable and courageous book... [It] is a... brave and helpful contribution, which will raise the profile of mental-health awareness. * Church Times, January 2010 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
Weight
220 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8264-2775-5 (9780826427755)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Gavin Knight | Joanna Knight
Disturbed by Mind and Spirit
Mental Health and Healing in Parish Ministry
E-Book
04/2009
1st Edition
Mowbray
€17.49
Available for download
Persons
Gavin Knight has served in parishes in Birmingham and London and is currently Chaplain of Monmouth School. Joanna Knight read English at Cambridge before training as a clinical psychologist. She specialises in child psychology and has worked with children and their families in London and Warwickshire.
Content
Introduction; Part I: Story-telling; Chapter 1: A Priest's Story; Chapter 2: A Psychologist's Story; Part II: Frameworks; Chapter 3: The Drama of the Liturgy; Chapter 4: Mapping out Clinical Psychology; Part III: Starting Out; Chapter 5: The Preparation-Gathering; Chapter 6: Psychological Assessment; Part IV: Listening and Meaning; Chapter 7: The Liturgy of the Word; Chapter 8: Psychological Formulation; Part V: Transformations; Chapter 9: The Liturgy of the Sacrament; Chapter 10: Psychological Intervention; Part VI: Moving On; Chapter 11: The Dismissal; Chapter 12: Psychological Evaluation; Epilogue; Note: Each section ends with questions which can be used either for individual reflection or as a starting point for group discussion.