Reviews
Mindfulness meditation is the current psychological bandwagon. But can it be Christian-compatible? Absolutely, argues Josh Knabb in Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice. It is a transdiagnostic treatment approach for people with one or several overlapping psychological struggles. Thoughtful. Practical. Hop on the bandwagon for an interesting and helpful ride., Research clearly shows that meditation is good for mental health and well-being. In this elegant book, Dr. Joshua Knabb explores the underlying processes of meditation and shows how to reap the benefits through Christian contemplative practices. It is a trustworthy guide for therapists and their clients who want to deepen their faith while managing psychological distress. Dr. Knabb offers truly beautiful practices that can be easily integrated into daily life. If you are Christian and want to learn meditation, you have come to the right place., Not only does Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice ground the reader in excellent scriptural and psychological principles, providing well-researched treatment guidelines and practical exercises for mindful practice, but the reader also gains a level of understanding of Christian meditation that can't be found anywhere else. Knabb's book is comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and clearly written as a resource to therapists, spiritual directors, and anyone interested in growing in mindfulness as a Christian., Dr. Joshua Knabb provides needed clarity to an important issue in treating psychological symptoms today. He clarifies what Christian meditation is and how it can be used in practical ways to produce psychological and spiritual growth. Drawing on his years of experience as a practicing psychologist, researcher, and teacher, he addresses many complex issues with skill and practical advice. He bases his discussion of meditation on his wealth of knowledge of psychological research, Scripture, and the writings of early spiritual fathers and mothers. He is a practicing psychologist and researcher, and he communicates his synthetic understanding in easy-to-understand terms. After building a case for a transdiagnostic understanding of mental disorders and a four-step change model (noticing, shifting, accepting, and action), he provides useful exercises that will help clients deal with common symptoms impacting their cognition, affect, and action., This is a wise and useful book that straddles the gap between faith and science in a way that does justice to both. Western science provides increasing support for the positive impact of the psychological processes of change engaged by meditation and contemplation, but Christians can feel left out of this conversation if the unique features of a Christian approach are not addressed and harmonized with what psychological science has found. Several other books link modern psychological intervention methods to the Christian faith, but this is the first book of which I am aware that dives deeply into the conceptual issues and practical psychological benefits of a Christian approach to meditation and contemplation, and then provides a step-by-step guide to implementing this understanding. The processes targeted by Dr. Knabb's approach to meditation, prayer, and contemplation--being better able to notice, to shift from a content (or 'earthly') perspective, to accept, and to act--are all empirically well supported. By laying them out so clearly and then providing practical methods to pursue them, the author empowers readers to judge for themselves how the practices in the book are landing in their life rather than being left to take the author's word for it. That is an honorable and empowering approach that is respectful of the reader. I highly recommend this book., Mindfulness meditation is the current psychological bandwagon. But can it be Christian-compatible? Absolutely, argues Josh Knabb in Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice . It is a transdiagnostic treatment approach for people with one or several overlapping psychological struggles. Thoughtful. Practical. Hop on the bandwagon for an interesting and helpful ride., Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice by Joshua Knabb is a clearly written and substantial book on a distinctively Christian approach to mindful meditation based on Scripture and the writings of well-known Christian authors throughout church history. It contains very practical and helpful exercises in the practice of Christian meditation for repetitive negative thinking, impaired emotional clarity and distress intolerance, behavioral avoidance, perfectionism, and impaired mentalization, when associated with psychopathology, providing empirical support for the effectiveness of such Christian meditation interventions. A must-read for therapists, clients, researchers, and anyone interested in Christian meditation., Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice is a helpful, practical guide through Christian meditation. Since the subject is often misunderstood by believers, Knabb delves into the history of Christian meditation as well as more secular types of meditation. It's a much-needed resource, because when we are hit by life's disasters, it can be tempting to view our suffering as something to avoid or defeat. Instead, Knabb encourages us to view suffering through the lens of faith and our eternity with God, so that we cannot fall prey to psychological traps that keep us fearful and anxious. By practicing the exercises in the book, readers can integrate meditation into their relationship with God and find better mental, emotional, and spiritual health. I highly recommend it to practicing therapists and their clients., For Christian therapists working with Christian clients, it is hard to express strongly enough just how long overdue is a therapy workbook such as this one: an evidence-based treatment of Christian meditation that (1) explains its unique psychospiritual benefits, (2) differentiates itself from secular and Buddhist forms of mindfulness meditation, (3) documents its relevance for transdiagnostic problems affecting a broad range of psychological functions, and (4) offers numerous practical strategies for incorporating Christian meditation in the therapy process. I personally hope that more research in the future will be directed to forms of Christian meditation with greater biblical and theological content, but for those wanting to practice distinctly Christian therapy, this is the single best workbook on Christian meditation for therapy available in our day.
