Brad D. Strawn
Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology, and Chair of Integration, Clinical Psychology Department
BA, Point Loma Nazarene University
MA, Fuller Theological Seminary
PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary
Advanced training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, San Diego Psychoanalytic Institute
Courses Taught
PI503: Touchstones in Psychology and Theology
PI800: Introduction to Integration
PI806: Advanced Integration Seminar
PC810: Clinical Interventions: Psychodynamic
PI856: Clinical Integration Colloquium
Consultation Group; Fuller Psychological and Family Services
Campus Affiliations
Travis Research Institute
Research Lab: Integration/Embodiment
Integration Symposium
Areas of Expertise
Integration of psychology and Christian theology; psychoanalytic psychotherapy; clinical psychology; body, brain, and theology
“The integrative project is not a debate but a dialogue in which genuine learning, growth, and transformation take place as these two ancient disciplines of study, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, attempt to serve the kingdom of God.”
Dr. Strawn, in an essay exploring the complex intersections of psychology and theology. Read more.
Bio
Brad D. Strawn joined Fuller’s faculty in 2012 as the Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology. This role included teaching, mentoring doctoral students, and overseeing the integration curriculum, as well as the Integration Symposium, an annual lecture series on the integration of psychology and theology. Strawn also maintains a private practice in Pasadena and is part-time teaching pastor at Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene.
Strawn received his BA in Psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University, his MA in Theology from Fuller Seminary, and his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Seminary. After completing a one-year internship at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he taught for 10 years in the Department of Psychology at Point Loma, where he served as department chair the last two years. During that time he also maintained a private practice and obtained advanced psychoanalytic therapy training at the San Diego Psychoanalytic Institute. Strawn then served six years at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma, as vice president of spiritual formation and dean of the chapel. It was there that he became an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene.
Strawn maintains his academic interests by publishing and editing in integrative journals such as the Journal of Psychology and Theology (he serves as associate editor), Journal of Psychology and Christianity (consulting editor), Pastoral Psychology, and Homiletics. He is co-author (with Warren S. Brown) of The Physical Nature of Christian Life: Neuroscience, Psychology, and the Church (Cambridge, 2012) and Enhancing Christian Life: How Extended Cognition Augments Religious Community (2020). He is also the co-editor of the 2010 book Wesleyan Theology and Social Science. In 2014 he co-edited (with Earl Bland) the book Christianity and Psychoanalysis: A New Conversation and in 2022 he co-edited (with Steve Sandage) Spiritual Diversity in Psychotherapy: Engaging the Sacred in Clinical Practice. Strawn is a regular presenter at conferences, Christian universities, and churches.