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Exploration of a Biblical Counseling Program for Depression

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Abstract

Millions of Americans experience sadness, fatigue, and sleeping difficulty. These symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of depression, which the American Psychiatric Association (APA) categorizes as a serious medical illness. Treatments include pharmacotherapy and/or counseling, with varying outcomes. Anecdotally, positive outcomes are seen in adults with depressive symptoms seeking Biblical counseling (BC) that uses the Judeo-Christian Bible as its foundation; so, this project explored such a program. The project included a retrospective chart review and a pilot study introducing the use of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R) to identify and track depressive symptoms. Findings support further investigation into BC as a viable option.

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  1. Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Human Physiology, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Ave, Spokane, WA, 99258-2616, USA

    Denise Ogorek & Janalee Isaacson

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  1. Denise Ogorek
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  2. Janalee Isaacson
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Correspondence to Denise Ogorek.

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Ogorek, D., Isaacson, J. Exploration of a Biblical Counseling Program for Depression. J Relig Health 60, 1096–1115 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01182-0

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