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
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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Joshua Farris, Ph.D
Senior Fellow
Theology & Spiritual Consulting
Joshua R. Farris, Ph.D
Fellow – Theology & Spiritual Consulting
Rev. Dr. Joshua R. Farris is a priest, theologian, author, and consultant whose work bridges theology, psychology, philosophy, and public life. He is the founder of Soul Science Ministries—a ministry dedicated to reclaiming a serious theological vision for science, technology, and the human soul—and Spiritually Driven Leadership, which trains pastors and Christian professionals to lead with theological depth and spiritual integrity.
A prolific scholar and writer, Farris has authored, edited, or co-edited more than a dozen books and over a hundred essays and articles in theology, philosophy, and interdisciplinary studies. His research and teaching focus on theological anthropology, consciousness, the soul, and the recovery of transcendence in a technological age. Through his courses, consultations, and media work, he aims to cultivate a culture where theology once again speaks meaningfully to questions of mind, identity, vocation, and the good life.
Farris serves as a priest in the Anglican tradition and as an affiliate mentor with Kairos University. He has lectured internationally, collaborated with scholars across Christian and philosophical traditions, and continues to write and speak on the integration of theology, culture, and human formation.
Major Contributions
Theological and Spiritual Leadership Formation:
Founder of Spiritually Driven Leadership, a consulting and coaching initiative helping clergy and faith-based professionals reconnect their leadership practices with a deeply spiritual, theological vision of vocation and mission.
Academic Innovation and Program Development:
Founder and architect of Soul Science Institute, an accredited academic initiative (in partnership with Kairos University) offering flexible pathways to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Metaphysical Theology, Philosophy of Religion & Theological Ethics, Scientific Theology, Theology & Technology, and Theology & Consciousness.
Faith-Based Authorship and Mentorship:
Creator of the Becoming a Faith-Based Author course and platform, providing step-by-step guidance to emerging Christian writers—from concepting and pitching to proposal writing, manuscript completion, and marketing—with both do-it-yourself and personalized consultation options.
Public Theology and Media:
Host of the podcast It’s a Theological World After All, featuring conversations with philosophers, theologians, and cultural commentators such as J.P. Moreland, Stephen Priest, Ralph Weir, and Mikolaj Slawkowski-Rode on topics ranging from consciousness and grief to existentialism and public theology.
Research in Theological Anthropology and Philosophy of Mind:
Recognized for contributions to Christian philosophy on the soul, freedom, and consciousness—particularly through works such as The Creation of Self, The Banquet of Souls, Strange Souls: What It Means to Be Human in an Age of Machines, Myths, and Magic, and academic collaborations like Divine Monarchy: Retrieving the Fatherhood of God for the Church and Academy (with Ryan Rippee).
Notable Works
Humanizing AI Business (co-author)
The Creation of Self
Strange Souls: What It Means to Be Human in an Age of Machines, Myths, and Magic (forthcoming)
Reason and Freedom Beyond Naturalism (editor)
An Introduction to Theological Anthropology
The Soul of Theological Anthropology
Routledge Handbook to Idealism and Immaterialism
The Ashgate Research Companion to Theological Anthropology
God, Souls, and Consciousness: Deconditioning the Mind from Naturalism
Farris has also published widely in philosophy and theology journals, and written essays exploring public theology, transhumanism, consciousness, and the future of Christian humanism.
Networks & Collaborations
Founder / Director, Soul Science Ministries & Institute
Founder / Director, Spiritually Driven Leadership
Creator / Mentor, Becoming a Faith-Based Author
Priest, New Streams Anglican Church, Alabaster (AL)
Affiliate Mentor, Kairos University
Collaborator with scholars such as Ryan Rippee, Charles Taliaferro, J.P. Moreland, Stephen Priest, Andrew Hollingsworth, and William Dembski
Network partnerships with educational and publishing ventures, including Inkwell Press and the Humane Philosophy Project
Evangelical Theological and Philosophical Society
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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 J. 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, andoral 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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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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Phil Anderas, Ph.D.
Fellow
Spiritual Theology & Formation
Phil Anderas, Ph.D.
Fellow – Spiritual Theology & Formation
Phil Anderas (PhD, Marquette) is a Lutheran pastor specializing in theology, spiritual formation, the cure of souls, and mission. His work focuses on the gracious love of the Father, the redeeming blood of the Son, and the regenerating power of the Spirit. Whatever wisdom he’s acquired is derived from Scripture, suffering, and his friends in the communion of saints – much of it summarized in a book on Martin Luther’s Augustinian theology of grace and renewal called Renovatio (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2019). His work has been featured in/on The Living Church, Lutheran Forum, The Gospel Coalition, The Center for Pastor Theologians, The North American Anglican, and the Bulletin of Ecclesial Theology. He writes regularly at The Company of Apostles.
Contact
phil@messiahroanoke.org
messiahroanoke.org | apostolicum.substack.com
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Aender Borba
Fellow
Psychology, Counseling & Theology
Aender Borba
Fellow – Psychology, Counseling & Theology
Aender Borba is a certified clinical psychologist, theologian, author, and professor. With more than 20 years of experience, he has worked in psychosocial care for children and adolescents in situations of social vulnerability, as well as for individuals struggling with chemical dependency. Aender specializes in individual and couples therapy and works as a clinical supervisor. He has been recognized for his contributions to disseminating and strengthening Christian Psychology and the work of Dr. Eric L. Johnson in the Brazilian context.
Major Scholarly Contributions
Aender’s work has significantly impacted the field of dialogue between Christian faith and
psychology, with a focus on the anthropological, epistemological, and ethical foundations of the Christian faith. He has developed pioneering studies on the noetic dimension of the human person within the epistemology of the Science of Religion. His work has been recognized in academic articles in the fields of spirituality and the psychology of religion.
Notable Works Aender is the author of several publications, including:
Horizons of Care: Toward a Psychology Grounded in Christian Spirituality. This book aims to explain and guide the reading of Dr. Eric Johnson’s Foundations for Soul Care, in a way that is adapted to the specificities of the Brazilian context.
Faith and Psychology: Necessary Dialogues. This book is the result of the “First International Colloquium on Faith and Psychology,” held in November 2025, which featured Dr. Eric Johnson and was supported by Mackenzie Presbyterian University (São Paulo) and UniEvangélica (Goiás).
He has also contributed to numerous conferences, lectures, and short courses, and has taken part in debates and podcasts across Brazil.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
Currently, Aender serves as the coordinator of the postgraduate program in Psychology with an Emphasis on Christian Spirituality (FIASP–DIVINAMENTE). He is the founder and CEO of DOXOLOGOS (www.doxologos.com.br), a Christian platform that offers training, psychotherapy services, and counseling based on Dr. Eric Johnson’s model of Christian Psychology. He is also one of the founders of the Faith and Psychology Study Group (GEFEP), a researcher at the Laboratory of Politics, Behavior, and Media (LABÔ), and was awarded a scholarship from the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES) for his master’s degree in the Science of Religion at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC–MG).
Personal Life
Outside of his professional activities, he enjoys traveling, fishing, and working with his hands, including electronics and new technologies. He is actively involved in volunteer work supporting missionary efforts, training counselors, and preaching the gospel in his local church and in other places where he is invited. Aender lives in São Paulo with his wife, Rozilene, and their daughter, Natalí.
Contact Information
For inquiries or collaborations, please reach out to:
Email: aenderborba@gmail.com
Phone: +55 31 98643 1791
Social media: @aenderborba
Website: www.doxologos.com.br
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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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Geoff Holsclaw, Ph.D.
Fellow
Psychology, Spiritual Theology & Formation
Geoff Holsclaw, Ph.D.
Fellow – Psychology, Spiritual Theology & Formation
Geoff Holsclaw (PhD) is the co-founder and CEO of the Center for Embodied Faith, which is focused on offering Jesus-centered, attachment-based, and neuroscience-informed resources for discipleship and spiritual formation. Geoff has been a pastor and professor for over twenty years. He is also an author of multiple books in spiritual formation and theology, most recently the co-author of Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and the co-host of the Attaching to God podcast. He is a visiting professor of theology at Western Theological Seminary, and with his wife, Cyd Holsclaw, runs the Doctor of Ministry cohort on Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience. You can find all his work, writings, and podcasts at embodiedfaith.life.
Contact
geoffrey.holsclaw@gmail.com
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Nathaniel Marino, MA
Fellow
Psychology & Theological Studies
Nathaniel Marino, MA
Fellow
Psychology & Theological Studies
General Info
Nathaniel (Nate) Marino, MA, is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Houston Christian University. He has graduate degrees in Research and Experimental Psychology (Rutgers University–Camden) and Theological Studies (Houston Christian University).
Scholarly Work
Nate’s research centers on social and personality psychology, with particular focus on moral cognition and behavior, as well as the development of character and virtue. He is also deeply interested in the philosophical and methodological foundations of modern psychology and in reframing them through a distinctly Christian worldview. Flowing from this, Nate is committed to pursuing psychological inquiry that is Christ-centered and biblically and theologically grounded. In future work, he hopes to explore how a Christ-centered psychology might shape Christian culture and church life, including discipleship and spiritual formation, church governance, evangelism, and practical theology.
Nate has presented his research at numerous conferences and symposiums, including the annual meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, The Society for Personality and Social Psychology, the Association for Research in Personality, and the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association.
Affiliations & Accomplishments
In addition to serving as Assistant Professor, Nate is the Program Coordinator for the undergraduate psychology program at Houston Christian University. In these roles, he has contributed significantly to the university’s curriculum and academic culture. His work includes shaping an overarching framework for renewing the Christian vision of the university’s core curriculum, crafting a new explicitly Christian mission statement for the psychology department, and leading a multi-year initiative to redevelop the undergraduate psychology program into one that is more clearly and holistically Christ-centered and biblically grounded.
Nate has received several recognitions for his research, teaching, and service. Upon completing his master’s degree, he was awarded the “Thesis with Distinction” commendation for outstanding scholarship. At Houston Christian, he has been honored with the Provost’s Award for “Teaching as Discipleship” and received his college’s Professional Development Grant.
Personal Life
Nate is a professor not only by profession but by nature and calling. The Lord called and gifted him to preach the gospel and God’s Word as a teenager, and he has continued in that ministry ever since. He serves as a teacher in his church and carries a deep desire to help God’s people know Jesus more fully and grow in Christlikeness through the faithful teaching of Scripture.
Outside of teaching and research, Prof. Nate is an avid video-gamer who loves unwinding with a great game. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Rachel, as well as with their family, friends, and church community. He loves cooking and—especially—eating, always in the context of shared life with others: food and fellowship. Among the things he cherishes most are rich, meaningful conversations with the people God has placed in his life.
Contact Information
For inquiries or collaborations, please reach out to:
Email: nmarino@hc.edu
Website: https://hc.edu/contact/nathaniel-marino/
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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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