Body, Mind & Soul: A Christian Evaluation of Somatic Therapy- Theory Critique and Practical Discernment

Body, Mind & Soul: A Christian Evaluation of Somatic Therapy- Theory Critique and Practical Discernment

Somatic therapy has grown rapidly in popularity for the treatment of trauma and other mental health conditions. However many Christians are suspicious of this form of therapy. Is it Eastern spiritualism wrapped up in therapeutic language? On the other hand, many Christians see the powerful effects of this therapy are tempted to accept its underlying explanations without careful examination. In this second of two episodes, I dive into modern theories of somatic psychology and affirm what they get right and what must be rejected through the lens of science submitted to theology. I then provide practical steps that clinicians and non-clinicians alike can take to evaluate somatic psychology on their own. Theories covered include: Peter Levine, Bessel van der Kolk and Polyvagal Theory. ____ Summer Book Club: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DDNAqji9y/ Speed shooting trained automaticity: https://www.forcescience.com/2022/02/firearms-training-for-real-world-assaults/ Critique of Polyvagal theory’s claims concerning the dorsal and ventral vagus nerves: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301051123001060 Scientific refutation of “The Body Keeps the Score”: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/systems-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2026.1812957/full Join the conversation on Substack: https://substack.com/@ashleyhageman My private practice (Michigan only): https://www.solaceprofessionalcounseling.com/home Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreatedmind.substack.com [https://thecreatedmind.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Body, Mind & Soul: A Christian Evaluation of Somatic Therapy- Theology, Science & History

Somatic therapy has grown rapidly in popularity for the treatment of trauma and other mental health conditions. However many Christians are suspicious of this form of therapy. Is it Eastern spiritualism wrapped up in therapeutic language? On the other hand, many Christians see the powerful effects this therapy are tempted to accept its underlying explanations without careful examination. In this first of two episodes, I lay a theological foundation for evaluating the claims of somatic therapy, discuss the well established science behind the body/brain connection, and outline the history of where this therapy really came from. Part two will explore modern forms of somatic therapy and share practical steps to evaluating truth claims in this field. ____ Join the conversation on Substack: https://substack.com/@ashleyhageman My private practice (Michigan only): https://www.solaceprofessionalcounseling.com/home Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreatedmind.substack.com [https://thecreatedmind.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Body, Mind, Soul: The Essential Failures of Reductive Mental Health Treatment

A body-only, mind-only or spirit-only approach to mental health treatment leads each to an essential failure to effectively promote healing. In this episode, I discuss heritability studies, the limits of psychopharmacology, the insufficiency of purely cognitive approaches, and the unbiblical shame of over-spiritualization. I argue that we need to understand mental illness as a condition with multi-layered explanations requiring a multi-layered treatment for ourselves, our clients and those we love. All of this is modeled in God’s response to Elijah’s suicidal episode in the wilderness: God gives rest and food, corrects his thinking and reveals the spiritual reality of his presence. If you are facing a mental illness yourself, supporting a loved one or treating a client, this conceptual model offers a comprehensive approach to the person. A vision of wholeness rather than convenient reductionism. Schizophrenia Heritability Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14662550/ Depression Medication Efficacy Study: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5548444_Kirsch_I_Deacon_BJ_Huedo-Medina_TB_Scoboria_A_Moore_TJ_Johnson_BT_Initial_severity_and_antidepressant_benefits_a_meta-analysis_of_data_submitted_to_the_Food_and_Drug_Administration_PLoS_Med_5_260-268 Depression Remission Study: https://www.thecarlatreport.com/articles/4733-stard-reanalysis-causes-new-debate-over-antidepressant-efficacy#:~:text=Study%20type%3A%20Reanalysis%20of%20an,(STAR*D)%20study Chemical imbalance theory busted: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0 Antipsychotic Meds Shrinking Brain Study: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/antipsychotics-and-shrinking-brain Efficacy of Antipsychotics: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41784458/#:~:text=SG%20LAI%20users%20showed%20reductions,015)%20days Vocational outcomes of antipsychotic users: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396179149_Protocol_for_-_Association_of_antipsychotic_medication_usage_and_employment_outcomes_in_patients_with_schizophrenia_spectrum_disorders_A_Danish_register-based_study Vitamin D Deficiency Rates: https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1008.1 Conversion disorder Case Study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9564367/ Misattribution of Arousal Study: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232519630_Passionate_love_and_the_misattribution_of_arousal [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232519630_Passionate_love_and_the_misattribution_of_arousal] Theological Anthropology Applications for Sexual/Physical Abuse Victims and [https://thecreatedmind.substack.com/p/matter-in-motion-or-spirit-on-a-cloud]Solace Professional Counseling: https://www.solaceprofessionalcounseling.com/ Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreatedmind.substack.com [https://thecreatedmind.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Body, Mind & Soul: A Christian Critique of Psychological Theories of Human Nature

How does the body, mind and soul relate to each other? Do we even have a mind or a soul? Why does it matter? Psychology throughout its short history has had numerous conceptions of what makes up a human. But none of them tell the whole story. In this episode I propose: * The human is an inseparable, united whole. * We can still speak practically about different aspects of human nature while holding tight to this unity. * The Eternal Soul needs to be CENTRAL to our understanding of humanity. * Our hope of a radically remade body, mind and soul drives healing in this life. If you are a clinician, pastor or just a person who cares for other people, these ideas matter to how you can effectively understand and encourage those you are tasked to care for.___ Fritz Perls in the Gloria tapes: My previous episode on the theology of the composition of man: Solace Professional Counseling: https://www.solaceprofessionalcounseling.com/ Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreatedmind.substack.com [https://thecreatedmind.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Our Empathy is Coveted Ground: Staying Tender and Resilient in the Culture Wars

Our empathy is coveted ground in the culture wars. Who we care about is being monetized and weaponized. We are bombarded with heartbreaking story after story. How can we stay tender yet resilient in the midst of the carnage? In this episode I discuss the nature of empathy (is it toxic? is it sinful?) but also practical tools for maintaining peace and care in a broken world. ____ Understanding Psychology from a Christian Perspective E-Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/psychology-and-christianity/?referralCode=19B7AF26377BF0C154AD Music by Douglas Hageman https://doughageman.bandcamp.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecreatedmind.substack.com [https://thecreatedmind.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]