Our Fellows share a unified vision for biblically rooted, Christ-centered, and scientifically informed soul care. Each contributes to the life of CPI through research, writing, speaking, and collaboration.
A COMMUNITY OF
Scholars and Practitioners Advancing Christ-Centered Therapy
Uche Anizor, PhD
Senior Fellow
Theological Studies
Uche Anizor, PhD
Senior Fellow – Theological Studies
Uche Anizor, PhD (Wheaton), is Professor of Theology and Chair of the Theology Department at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. A respected scholar, Dr. Anizor’s research interests include theological method, evangelicalism, and the doctrine of Scripture.
Major Contributions
He co-authored Evangelical Theology (T&T Clark, 2021) and Representing Christ: A Vision for the Priesthood of All Believers (IVP Academic, 2016). His other publications include Trinity and Humanity: An Introduction to the Theology of Colin Gunton (Paternoster, 2016) and Kings and Priests: Scripture’s Theological Account of Its Readers (Pickwick, 2014).
Notable Works
His book How to Read Theology: Engaging Doctrine Critically and Charitably (Baker Academic, 2018) was named Theology Resource of the Year by Outreach Magazine. His recent work, Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care (Crossway, 2022), won a Christianity Today Book Award in 2023.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Uche is an active member of Redemption Hill Church in Whittier, CA, and a frequent speaker at conferences. He continues to engage in theological discussions and contribute to academic forums.
Personal Life
For more on Uche Anizor’s work and publications, visit his Biola University Faculty Page
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Sarah Colyn
Fellow
Psychology & Counseling
Sarah Colyn, PhD
Fellow – Psychology & Counseling
Sarah Groen-Colyn, PhD in Clinical Psychology and Master in Christian Leadership is the Director of Ministries of Pastoral Care, and is a licensed psychologist in the state of Washington. Furthermore, she is the Founder of Sanctuary Psychological Services. Her heart for this ministry was won when she first heard Leanne Payne speak of the Church’s need for a Christ-centered vision of being human.
Major Contributions
- Counseling in the Presence: How Leanne Payne has Shaped my Practice of Christian Psychotherapy
- The coming of faith: Law, Conscience, and Moral of Sensitivity of the Human Soul
- Sermon: Special Guest as speaker in Christ Church Jerusalem, to explain that our primary cure is communion with God
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Nicholas DiFonzo, PhD
Senior Fellow
Psychology
Nicholas DiFonzo, PhD
Senior Fellow – Psychology
Nicholas DiFonzo, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, NY, where he teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses, including Social Psychology, Advanced Integration of Counseling and Theology, and Psychology of Human Relationships.
Major Contributions
Dr. DiFonzo has published extensively on psychological topics from a Christian worldview. His research spans the psychology of rumors, conspiracy theories, forgiveness, and the measurement of human flourishing. Key works include A Christian Psychology of Rumor and a co-authored article with Dr. Eric Johnson, Discerning Worldview Assumptions in Psychological Texts: A Primer for Christians in Psychology, published in the Journal of Psychology and Christianity.
Notable Works
Dr. DiFonzo is the co-author of Rumor Psychology: Social and Organizational Approaches (2007), which explores how rumors form, spread, and influence both individuals and groups. He also authored The Watercooler Effect: The Indispensable Guide to Understanding and Harnessing the Power of Rumor (2009), a practical and accessible guide for understanding rumor dynamics in social and organizational contexts.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Dr. DiFonzo was awarded the 2024 Barbara S. Muller Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence at Roberts Wesleyan University. He has received research funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation and earned the 2007 ForeWord Book of the Year Gold Medal in Psychology for Rumor Psychology. In 2015, he received the Group and Organization Management Best Micro Paper Award for Rumor as Revenge in the Workplace. Earlier in his career, he received the Marianthi Georgoudi Award from Temple University for philosophical and theoretical contributions to psychology.
He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Society, the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, and the Society of Personality and Social Psychology. He has served in editorial roles for journals such as the Journal of Psychology and Christianity, Computers in Human Behavior, Journal of Social Influence, and Journal of Social Psychology. His work has also appeared in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Personal Life
Dr. DiFonzo lives in Rochester, NY, with his wife of 42 years in a multigenerational household that includes their children and grandchildren.
For inquiries, contact: difonzo_nicholas@roberts.edu
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Jeff Dryden, PhD
Senior Fellow
Biblical Studies
Jeff Dryden, PhD
Senior Fellow – Biblical Studies
Jeff Dryden, PhD (Cambridge), is Professor of Biblical Studies at Covenant College, where he has taught since 2007. Known for his interdisciplinary approach, his work bridges New Testament studies with psychology, moral theology, and spiritual formation.
Major Contributions
Dr. Dryden’s scholarship focuses on the moral and spiritual formation shaped by Scripture. His book Theology and Ethics in 1 Peter: Paraenetic Strategies for Christian Character Formation (Mohr Siebeck, 2006) explores how biblical texts form character and ethical life. He also contributed chapters on 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude in The New Testament and Ethics: A Book-by-Book Survey (Baker, 2013).
Notable Works
His monograph A Hermeneutic of Wisdom: Recovering the Formative Agency of Scripture offers a groundbreaking vision for interpreting Scripture as a spiritually formative text. The work challenges modern assumptions about biblical reading and calls for a renewed appreciation of Scripture’s transformative role in Christian life and community.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Beyond Covenant College, Dr. Dryden has significantly influenced theological education through a decade of teaching at Richmont Graduate School in Chattanooga, where he trained Christian counselors in theological integration and biblical hermeneutics. Earlier in his career, he served at the English L’Abri in Southern England, a study center committed to helping Christians thoughtfully integrate faith and life.
Personal Life
Jeff and his wife, Edith, are deeply committed to Christian community, theological engagement, and spiritual formation.
For more information or to inquire about his work, contact: jeff.dryden@covenant.edu
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Fernando Garzon, PhD
Senior Fellow
Psychotherapy & Counseling
Fernando Garzon, PhD
Senior Fellow – Psychotherapy & Counseling
Fernando Garzon, PhD, is Associate Dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Studies at Regent University and a licensed psychologist with extensive clinical experience across diverse settings, including outpatient practices, hospitals, VA facilities, managed care, pastoral care, and church ministries.
Major Contributions
Dr. Garzon’s research and clinical work focus on integrating Christian faith with evidence-based psychological practice. His contributions include influential work on Christian meditation, forgiveness, inner healing prayer, lay counseling, and multicultural considerations in Christian counseling. Key publications include:
- Wilder, J., Garzon, F., & Johnson, E. (2020). A Christian multi-modal approach to therapy utilizing inner healing prayer: The Life Model. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 39(1), 49–64.
- Foulkes, D., Volk, F., Garzon, F., & Pride, M. (2018). The relationship between transformational leadership behavior, adult attachment, and God attachment. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 47(1), 20–33.
- Garzon, F.L. (2013). Christian devotional meditation for anxiety. In J. Aten, E. Johnson, E. Worthington, & J. Hook (Eds.), Evidence-Based Practices for Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy (pp. 59–76). InterVarsity Academic Press.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Dr. Garzon is an active member of the American Psychological Association, the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, APA Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality), the American Association of Christian Counselors, and the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. He also serves on the editorial boards of several leading journals, including Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality in Clinical Practice, Christian Psychology: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Journal of Psychology and Theology, and Journal of Psychology and Christianity.
For inquiries or more information, contact Dr. Garzon at ferngar@regent.edu.
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Joshua Knabb, PsyD, ABPP
Senior Research Fellow
Psychotherapy & Counseling
Joshua Knabb, PsyD, ABPP
Senior Research Fellow – Psychotherapy & Counseling
Joshua J. Knabb, PsyD, ABPP, is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist and Tenured Professor of Psychology at California Baptist University (CBU). He serves as the Associate Dean for the Psychology Division and Director of the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program within CBU’s College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Dr. Knabb specializes in individual and couples therapy with a research and clinical focus that integrates psychological science and Christian spiritual formation.
Major Contributions
Dr. Knabb’s research spans marriage and family dynamics, psychological assessment, attachment theory, transdiagnostic interventions, and the psychology of religion and spirituality. He is especially known for his work on mindfulness-based therapies and Christian contemplative practices. His books include:
- Faith-Based ACT for Christian Clients: An Integrative Treatment Approach (2nd ed.)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Christian Clients: A Faith-Based Workbook (2nd ed.)
- Contemplative Prayer for Christians with Chronic Worry: An Eight-Week Program
He is also co-developer of widely used psychological measures in Christian psychology research, including the Christian Worldview Scale, Communion with God Scale, Christian Contentment Scale, and Christian Gratitude Scale.
Notable Works
One of Dr. Knabb’s most significant contributions is Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice: A Four-Step Model and Workbook for Therapists and Clients (2021), which integrates biblical principles with clinical psychology to offer a structured approach to contemplative prayer in therapy.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Dr. Knabb is the Editor of the Journal of Psychology and Christianity and a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology. His research has been widely published in academic journals and translated into practical resources for clinicians and Christian mental health professionals.
Personal Life
He lives in Southern California with his wife and two children.
To learn more about his work, visit joshuaknabb.com or listen to his weekly podcast, The Christian Psychologist: Mental Health for the 21st Century.
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Werner May
Senior Fellow
Psychology
Werner May
Senior Fellow – Psychology
Werner May is a German psychologist who served as Chair of the IGNIS Academy for Christian Psychology in Kitzingen, Germany, from 1986 to 2012. During his leadership, he helped shape the direction of Christian psychology in Europe through teaching, program development, and extensive outreach to Christian communities and denominations. A consistent theme of his ministry has been the promotion of unity in the body of Christ through the growth of Christian psychology.
Major Contributions
Werner May has authored numerous influential books and articles in German, offering Christian approaches to parenting, personal growth, and relational healing. His publications include:
- Kindern dialogisch Grenzen setzen – Ein Leitfaden für Eltern und Erzieher (Setting Boundaries for Children through Dialogue)
- Schluss mit den schlechten Gewohnheiten – Sich verändern, mit Gottes Hilfe (Stop Bad Habits: Change with God’s Help)
- Der Vertrauensmodus und die Kunst des verbindenden Nein (The Trust Mode and the Art of the Connecting No)
- Das verbindende Nein. Misstrauen überwinden, Vertrauen finden (The Unifying No: Overcoming Mistrust, Finding Trust)
Notable Works
His most widely accessible work is Staying in Love: Seven Threads for a Love Net that Lasts, a brief e-booklet offering practical insights on cultivating lasting marital intimacy. Drawing on over 50 years of marriage to his wife, Agnes, the booklet invites readers to create a “love net” that brings security, trust, and renewed connection to their relationships.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Werner May is the co-founder of the Institute for Christian Psychology, Education, and Therapy (ICP) in Switzerland, which has since grown into a Higher Professional School for social education. Since 2012, he has served as the editor of the free e-journal Christian Psychology Around the World and in 2024 launched a new publication, Christian Psychology for Everyday Life.
He has also served for over a decade as President of the European Movement for Christian Anthropology, Psychology, and Therapy (EMCAPP), helping to connect scholars and practitioners across Europe.
Personal Life
Werner is originally from Nuremberg and has lived in Würzburg with his wife, Agnes, for more than 45 years. They have six adult children and many grandchildren.
To learn more about his work and writing, visit his website.
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James S. Spiegel, PhD
Senior Fellow
Philosophy
James S. Spiegel, PhD
Senior Fellow – Philosophy
James S. Spiegel, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Kalos Center for Christian Education and Spiritual Formation. He has served as Professor of Philosophy and Religion at both Taylor University and Hillsdale College. With a prolific academic career, Dr. Spiegel has authored eleven books and over 100 articles and book chapters exploring the intersections of faith, reason, and moral philosophy.
Major Contributions
Dr. Spiegel’s scholarly work addresses pivotal topics in ethics, philosophy of religion, and virtue epistemology. His research has been published in leading academic journals such as Philosophia, Metaphilosophy, Faith and Philosophy, Sophia, Science and Engineering Ethics, and the International Journal for Philosophy of Religion. He is also a contributor to popular periodicals including Christianity Today, First Things, The Federalist, and Touchstone.
Notable Works
Among his most influential books are:
- The Benefits of Providence (Crossway)
- Faith, Film, and Philosophy (InterVarsity)
- Hell and Divine Goodness (Cascade)
- The two-volume Idealism and Christianity series (Bloomsbury Press)
These works demonstrate Dr. Spiegel’s ongoing engagement with philosophical and theological questions that shape contemporary Christian thought.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Dr. Spiegel is a contributing editor for Christian Psychology: A Transdisciplinary Journal. His contributions to philosophy and theology have earned him notable honors, including the 2014 Templeton Research Fellowship from Biola University’s Center for Christian Thought and the 2011 Forman Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award at Taylor University. His book The Making of an Atheist was a finalist for the Christianity Today 2010 Book Award.
Personal Life
James lives with his wife, Amy—also an author—and they have four grown children.
To learn more about his work, visit jimspiegel.com or email him at jmspieg@gmail.com.
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Michael Strating, Ph.D.
Fellow
Psychology & Therapy
Michael Strating, Ph.D.
Fellow – Psychology & Therapy
Michael Strating, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. Specializing in abnormal psychology, counseling, the psychology of spirituality, and positive psychology, Dr. Strating integrates academic expertise with clinical experience. His work is deeply rooted in a vision of equipping the church to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) through faithful and effective Christian counseling.
Major Contributions
Dr. Strating’s research focuses on psychospiritual change processes in therapy, particularly the role of the heart, emotion, and spiritual practices in transformation. His contributions to Christian counseling include:
- Strating, M. A., & Johnson, E. (2019). Carditive Therapy: Working with the Heart in Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy. Workshop presented at the American Association of Christian Counselors Annual World Conference, Nashville, TN.
- Strating, M. A. (2013). Review of Theology for Better Counseling: Trinitarian Reflections for Healing and Formation by Virginia Todd Holeman. Christian Psychology, 7(1), 85–87.
Notable Works
A key academic contribution is his co-authored chapter:
- Strating, M. A., & Pascual-Leone, A. (2019). Emotion-Based Case Formulation for Personality Disorders. In U. Kramer (Ed.), Case Formulation for Personality Disorders: Tailoring Psychotherapy to the Individual Client. New York, NY: Elsevier.
This work bridges psychological theory with therapeutic practice, offering insight into emotion-focused approaches for complex clinical presentations.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Dr. Strating holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Windsor and completed his clinical residency with the London Clinical Psychology Residency Consortium. In addition to his academic role, he maintains a part-time private practice, allowing for continued engagement with clients and real-world counseling application.
Personal Life
Outside the classroom and clinic, Mike enjoys playing hockey, hiking, and biking. He is married and a devoted father of four, actively balancing family life with his academic and clinical commitments.
For inquiries or collaboration, contact Dr. Strating at mstrating@redeemer.ca.
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Kyle Strobel, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow
Spiritual Theology & Formation
Kyle Strobel, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow – Spiritual Theology & Formation
Kyle Strobel, Ph.D. (University of Aberdeen), is Professor of Spiritual Theology and Formation at the Institute for Spiritual Formation, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. A systematic theologian by training, Dr. Strobel focuses on the theology of Jonathan Edwards, sanctification, and theological psychology. His teaching and writing are grounded in the historic Protestant vision of spiritual formation, with an emphasis on union with Christ and formation in grace.
Major Contributions
Dr. Strobel is a leading voice in the renewal of contemplative and theological approaches to Christian spiritual formation. He co-edited Embracing Contemplation: Reclaiming a Christian Spiritual Practice (IVP Academic, 2019) with John Coe, a work that brings historical and theological depth to the contemporary practice of Christian contemplation. He also contributed the chapter “Open to the Other: Edwards and Barth on the Self” in the forthcoming volume Jonathan Edwards and Karl Barth: Theologians in Dialogue (Lexham Press), which he co-edited with Uche Anizor.
Notable Works
Dr. Strobel’s writing bridges the academy and the church. His co-authored book The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb (with Jamin Goggin) presents a biblical vision of power through weakness and draws on conversations with spiritual sages from around the world.
In Where Prayer Becomes Real: How Honesty with God Transforms Your Soul (co-authored with John Coe), Strobel offers a practical and theologically rich guide to authentic prayer. With exercises in each chapter, the book helps readers encounter God in truth, vulnerability, and love.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Dr. Strobel is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the American Academy of Religion. He is widely respected for his contributions to the conversation on spiritual formation, theology, and the inner life of the Christian.
Personal Life
Kyle Strobel serves on the preaching team at Redeemer Church in La Mirada, California, where he attends with his wife and two children.
To learn more about his work or subscribe to his writing, visit kylestrobel.substack.com.
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