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A Special Event Report: Heart, Soul, and Mind
Written by Naji Abi-Hashem, PhD, & Debi Smith, PsyD
Photos by Shirley Liao, MS, MA

What a wonderful time we had together at our first CAPS West Special Event, held in Costa Mesa, California, on Saturday, June 19, 2004! The Graduate Psychology Department of Vanguard University provided a comfortable and welcoming setting, and the gathering was rich, warm, and friendly. CAPS West members and friends arrived from throughout the Southern California area, and some flew in from other states (Arizona, Oregon, Washington). In addition, we were delighted that our CAPS International President, Connie Ratliffe, PhD, was able to join us, coming all the way from Detroit, Michigan.

Inner Healing Prayer, our Keynote Address, was presented by CAPS member and long-time friend, Siang-Yang Tan, PhD. As usual, Dr. Tan demonstrated vibrancy, depth, humor, and sound spirituality. To many of us, Dr. Tan embodies the truth of Christian integration. He is an accomplished professor and clinician, yet his heart is clearly pastoral. In addition to his duties at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, he serves as Senior Pastor at the First Evangelical Church in Glendale, California.

Dr. Tan’s seven-step model* for inner healing prayer can be summarized as follows:

1. After preparing the person, begin with a prayer for protection and ask the Holy Spirit to take control of the session.
2. Help the person with a relaxation technique through deep breathing, imagery, etc.
3. Guide the person to recall or refocus on a past painful event or traumatic experience.
4. Ask the Lord to come and minister to the person at that point and ask the Holy Spirit to give comfort and healing as He deems necessary.
5. Wait quietly upon the Lord. Gently ask the person what he or she is experiencing.
6. Close in prayer.
7. Debrief and discuss the session.

   *Tan, S.-Y. (2003). Inner healing prayer. Christian Counseling Today, 11, 20-22.

Dr. Tan pointed out that this detailed approach to inner healing prayer in therapy is a part of the larger use of prayer and spiritual interventions within general Christian counseling and psychotherapy modalities. He explained that the spectrum of religious or spiritual practices (activities, resources, interventions, disciplines, etc.) can be implicit, explicit, or somewhere in between. In other words, the practical application of integration exists on a continuum. He also emphasized that true and deep integration must occur and develop within the therapist or care-giver as well as within the client or care-receiver. When the helping relationship is formal (e.g., in an academic or clinical setting), appropriate ethical measures and safety considerations must be taken by clearly explaining procedures to the client and obtaining his or her signed consent form or therapeutic agreement.

The morning session was followed by a Fellowship Luncheon, where Christopher Rosik, PhD, Past President, introduced Ana Wong-McDonald, PhD, passing her the official gavel as she transitioned from President-Elect to CAPS West President for 2004-2005. Dr. Wong-McDonald eloquently and passionately spoke about Healing the Lepers of the 21st Century. She challenged us to be transparent in our ministry, not only among the able and educated, but also among the humble, poor, and underserved. Indeed, we all are needy and strive for healing and a better life. She talked about her clinical work among the homeless in Los Angeles County and ways that good intentions and good interventions are yielding great results in her work as many hopeless situations are turning into hopeful living. Wong-McDonald also emphasized the power of giving help and hope in the spirit of service and humility. Eventually, God will honor our efforts and will bless both the helper the one who is helped.
*To read Dr. Wong-McDonald’s address, click here.

Daniel Amen, MD, prominent psychiatrist, director of Amen Clinics, Inc., and Vanguard University alumnus, graced us with a wonderful presentation on Healing the Hardware of the Soul during his afternoon workshop. His approach to the study of the human brain is comprehensive and reflective of a bio-psycho-social model. He emphasized the role of the brain as “the hardware of the soul” because it determines our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, needs, reactions, and personality, as well as our capacity to worship and be spiritual.

A few facts Dr. Amen shared about the brain included the following:

• The brain is the most complex organ in the universe.
• The brain is involved in everything we do and everything we are. When it works right, we work right!
• The brain comprises 2% of a person’s weight, but consumes 20 to 30% of his or her total calories.
• The brain is very soft, but dwells in a hard skull with sharp ridges—silent yet powerful.
• Problems in specific areas of the brain tend to cause specific behavioral problems. However, psychiatrists are the only medical specialists who rarely look at the organ they treat.
• The brain can change through interventions such as a healthy diet, exercise (especially walking), medications, relaxation techniques, nutritional supplements, relational counseling, lowering stress, altering lifestyles, increasing self-awareness, prayer, meditation, and so on.

Amen Clinics utilizes the new technology of brain Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT imaging), which reveals results of the aging process, as well as defects due to accidents, degeneration, substance abuse, and other types of trauma (sports injuries, deficiencies, malnourishment, stress, etc.). Showing brain images obtained with this highly sophisticated technology, Dr. Amen demonstrated how he determines which part of the brain is not functioning well and which parts are healthy.

Based on extensive research and clinical experience, Dr. Amen suggests a multi-level model of intervention to maintain or to restore a healthy brain, including cognitive, behavioral, nutritional, and medical strategies. More information about Dr. Amen’s work is available at www.amenclinics.com and www.brainplace.com.

Heart, Soul, and Mind was received warmly by a very diverse group of conference participants, who expressed their enthusiastic appreciation for the fellowship, content, and benefits of attending this CAPS West Special Event. Typical of CAPS gatherings, we enjoyed a very cordial atmosphere, excellent professional stimulation, spiritual depth and bonding, and personal warmth and nurture. Indeed, CAPS has a reputation for its distinctly Christian character, sense of community, and refreshing combination of personal and professional camaraderie.

Jerre L. White, PsyD, our Vanguard host, Director and Assistant Professor of Graduate Psychology reported,

It was a delight to have CAPS on the Vanguard campus. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this event and to support CAPS in this way. Both Dr. Tan and Dr. Amen are amazing men and speakers. It is wonderful when academic learning and spiritual inspiration occur at the same time.

Ted Heaberlin, CAPS Member and graduate student at Azusa Pacific University, wrote,

The conference was great. Dr. Tan helped a lot in what he was saying – in addition to his discussion of inner-healing prayer; it really resonated with me. I'm hoping to read his books over the summer. Dr. Amen's presentation was fascinating. I've given up coffee for green tea, started walking every day, and have already ordered salmon twice – brain food! I was also very moved by our President's commitment to the homeless mentally ill, as well as all the action she has taken on their behalf. As you can see, I loved the conference, and it was life-changing on several different levels.

Connie Ratliffe, PhD, CAPS International President also shared her experience of this Special Event:

Heart, Soul, and Mind truly lived up to its title. It infiltrated every part of my being--my heart was touched by the profound plan and impact Dr. Ana Wong-McDonald is making with the homeless. My soul was full after hearing Dr. Siang-Yang Tan once again inspire me with his intellect and strong, gentle spirit in integrating prayer and psychology. Dr. Daniel Amen literally “opened my mind” to a greater understanding of our intricate God-created brains. He presented cutting-edge information about the brain and delivered it with his unique humor. I left with “my cup full” in every way – fellowship, inspiration, and knowledge. Kudos to CAPS West for a stellar conference!