Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Integrating faith and theology with psychotherapy

By Caty Coffey

Published May 1, 2009 in Witness

Those serving in the helping profession often work in isolation. Though counselors often gather for continuing education, seminars usually exclude faith and theology. The Pastoral Counseling Ministry at PCPC desires to collaborate with local mental health professionals to network, fellowship, and provide learning opportunities that will enrich their work with those in need. We want to offer continuing education to counselors that will edify their work as Christians.

On March 6, as part of our outreach to area counselors, the ministry hosted a three-hour seminar featuring Dr. John L. Cox, a prominent clinical psychologist from Jackson, Mississippi.

Following a luncheon, Dr. Cox presented his lecture entitled “A Practical Application of Object Relations Theory to Christian Clinical Practice.” Dr. Cox discussed a basic model for the Object Relations developmental theory. In addition, he addressed the integrative aspects of Object Relations theory and discussed how therapy is part of the sanctification process, including ways that different aspects of character development parallel the restoration of the image of God.

We are grateful to have hosted Dr. Cox, and the counselors received practical and down-to-earth knowledge that they could apply in their own practices. The model Dr. Cox presented was a refreshing approach to psychotherapy, one that interwove psychology and theology in a skilled and humble fashion.

Dr. Cox is a native of Jackson, where he works as a clinical psychologist, speaker, and columnist. He received his M.A. from Reformed Theological Seminary and a doctorate from the Rosemead School of Psychology in Los Angeles. Dr. Cox’s areas of specialization include individual psychotherapy with adults, marital therapy, and parent consultation and therapy for adolescents and children. He and his family attend First Presbyterian Church where he serves as a deacon.