Inaugural Psychology And Faith Conference Features Renowned Harvard Psychiatrist

March 26, 2003

by Lori Scott Fogleman

Dr. Armand Nicholi Jr., one of the world's leading psychiatrists on the question of God in psychotherapy, will be the featured speaker at the inaugural Conference on Psychology and Faith March 31 at Baylor University. The conference is sponsored by Baylor's department of psychology and neuroscience and university ministries, with support from the provost's office.
Nicholi's appearances will include participation in a roundtable discussion with faculty, speaking to students in Chapel and presenting the keynote address that evening.
Nicholi has been on the Harvard Medical School faculty for more than three decades. An associate professor of clinical psychiatry, he also is the three-time editor and co-author of "The Harvard Guide to Psychiatry." His honors seminar on the contrasting world views of Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis is one of the most popular for Harvard undergraduates. The seminar has led to Nicholi's book, "The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life," now in its seventh printing. He recently returned from filming a four-part PBS documentary in Austria and England based on his book.
"One of the central aims of the conference is to assist those in the helping professions, and specifically those doing psychotherapy, to refine their ability to both understand and integrate issues of faith into their work with patients," said Dr. Todd Lake, dean for university ministries.
Nicholi will meet with faculty from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. March 31 in the Reynolds Conference Suite for a discussion on "The Impact of Faith in America." He will speak on "Christ Among the Psychologists" at 10 and 11 a.m. during Chapel and at a noon luncheon on "Why I'm Interested in God and Psychology" in Barfield Drawing Room in the Bill Daniel Student Center. Nicholi will attend a reception and sign copies of his book from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the White-Beckham Room.
From 7 to 9 p.m., Nicholi will speak on the Freud-Lewis debate at a banquet in the Paul and Katy Piper Great Hall at Truett Seminary. He also will take part in a panel discussion with Dr. David Rudd, professor of psychology and neuroscience; Dr. Robert Roberts, distinguished professor of ethics; and Lake.
For more information, contact Baylor's department of psychology and neuroscience at (254) 710-2811.