Cost: $30
Dates: April 24-25
Join New Life Presbyterian Church as we welcome Michael R. Emlet, MDiv, MD, to guide us through a biblical approach to psychiatry, mental health labels, and treatments. Emlet will discuss his book, Descriptions and Prescriptions: A Biblical Perspective on Psychiatric Diagnoses and Medications, using Scripture to show how the Bible engages in the discussion of psychiatric labels and the medications that are often recommended based on those labels. You will come away with a better understanding of those struggling with mental health issues, as well as tools that will help you and your church minister to them.
Keynote Speaker (bio from New Growth Press): Michael R. Emlet, MDiv, MD, practiced as a family physician for over ten years before becoming a counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He is the author of the books CrossTalk: Where Life & Scripture Meet, Descriptions and Prescriptions: A Biblical Perspective on Psychiatric Diagnoses and Medications, and Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners: Loving Others as God Loves Us, and the minibooks Chronic Pain, Angry Children, Help for the Caregiver, and Overeating: When Enough Isn’t Enough.
Session 1: Understanding Mental Health Struggles Through A Biblical Lens
How should Christians understand concepts of mental health and illness? A starting point is to understand that human beings were created as physically embodied, relationally and situationally embedded, image bearing worshipers of the triune God who live in God’s world. Since the Fall of humanity into sin there has been disruption at all levels of our personhood and life contexts. Because of this, persistent and severe disturbances in thinking, emotion, and behavior have a complex etiology that may involve any number of factors. This session will explore how Christians should understand the nature of mental affliction, which sets the stage for gospel-centered help.
Session 2: What’s in a Name? Understanding and Evaluating Psychiatric Diagnoses Biblically The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the resource mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health disorders. But how should we understand the validity and reliability of this diagnostic system? What do diagnostic labels mean? Do they help or do they harm? This session will trace the development of the psychiatric diagnostic system and will evaluate, within a biblical framework, the potential liabilities and potential benefits of psychiatric diagnoses for those who are suffering.
Session 3: Listening to Prozac? Biblical and Scientific Perspectives on Psychoactive Medications How should Christians think about the use of psychoactive medications? The church is divided on this questions, with some saying that such medication is a God-given tool that should be used to relieve mental suffering. Others are more cautious, recommending psychoactive medication only in severe situations. Still others decry the use of these medications at all, asserting that a posture of gospel-centered faith and obedience is all that is truly necessary. This session will explore biblical perspectives and scientific evidence that will help inform and shape participants’ views on the use or non-use of psychiatric medications.
Please contact counseling@newlifepca.com with any additional questions.