Psychologists, theologians, medical doctors, and Christian clergy discuss the significance of spiritual direction and identify the problems that inhibit one's ability to reach spiritual goals in modern life. They show how the process of being in Christ in truth, life, and light results in personal freedom. The commitment to growth in these qualities provides the foundation for the critical subjects addressed in this book: spiritual discernment and differential diagnosis, identity formation, sexuality, intimacy and relationships, addictions, holistic health, and education. Melding Greek Orthodox Christianity in America with spirituality and more conventional psychotherapy and medical practice, this book makes an uncommon contribution to the religiously diverse spectrum of our ever-expanding multicultural consciousness.

This book presents five controversial issues that stir conflicts about moral decisions in our time. John Chirban draws upon resources of specific faith traditions. He provides case discussion and considers numerous interdisciplinary perspectives, arguing an interdependent approach for addressing these current ethical issues. Contents: I. BIOETHICS: The Ethical Challenges of Science and Faith, Martin Marty; II. EUTHANASIA: Changing Conceptions of a Good Death, William F. May; Euthanasia and Care for the Dying in the Orthodox Tradition, Vigen Guroian; To Ease the Dying Process, John Breck; Euthanasia: The Medical Encounter and Faith, John Demakis; III. DECISIONS NEAR THE END OF LIFE: A Living Will and a Christian Death, Monk Ioannikios, Maurice Sill, John Demakis, John Johnstone, and Dennis Kriegel; IV. GENETIC ENGINEERING: Ethics and Genetic Engineering, Demetrios Demopulos; An Orthodox Christian Perspective on Organ Transplantation, Frank Papatheofani; Psychological and Spiritual Perspectives on Organ Donation, Sharon Chirban; V. SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Drugs and the Family, John T. Chirban; Taking Responsibility for Evil: Addiction and Usury in Light of Repentance, James R. Campbell; Towards a Recovery-Oriented Church, Lyn Breck.

This is a book about deeper listening . . . that will help professionals become more sensitive and enable closer communication. . . . This book is a must for professionals. Dr. Chirban shows us both how and why we interview. Interviewing In Depth will hold an important place on my shelf. I hope you find it as warm and fascinating as I have. --Allen E. Ivey, Ed.D., A.B.P.P., Distinguished University Professor, University of Massachusetts "This sensitive, reflective, and revealing book supplies a most valuable anatomy of the "deep structure" of the personal interview, as well as remarkable insights into people who have left indelible marks on our times. Clinicians and lay readers will be both instructed and fascinated by this work." --Thomas G. Gutheil, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Use this quote first "I hope this useful and challenging book reaches well beyond clinicians and other health professionals to anyone whose work depends upon face-to-face encounters. Its simple, yet radical message is that a successful interview is more likely to happen when collaboration, personal attributes, values, and feelings are brought and made available by both participants. Recognizing that this is precisely what professional interviewers have avoided, Dr. Chirban skillfully shows how mutual visibility can be achieved but managed: The interactive-relational approach works. Readers will love seeing it in action, especially with B.F. Skinner and Lucille Ball." --Anthony G. Barrand, Ph.D, Department of Anthropology, Boston University In Interviewing in Depth, John T. Chirban presents an innovative and powerful interviewing approach--the interactive-relational--that promises and delivers a clearer, deeper portrait of the person. By focusing on how the interviewer participates more fully in the interview, through particular interaction in the relationship he or she establishes, Chirban shows how the interviewer manages his or her personal feelings while still maintaining a professional stance. Through excerpts of interviews in journalism, oral histories, and psychohistory, Chirban draws from his work with B. F. Skinner, Lucille Ball, Sandra Day O'Connor, and patients to illustrate how the interactive-relational approach differs from more traditional techniques and applies to interviewing in the health professions, communications, and business as well as psychology.

Equips parents to teach their children how to make sexuality a safe, healthy, and sacred part of their lives.How parents address sex-their openness, the context, and their attitudes-will impact how their children view their own sexuality and self-worth. Dr. Chirban helps parents know when, how, and how much, and stresses the vital importance of their role in sex education. He uses humor, compassion, and real-life examples to prepare parents for healthy and ongoing conversations that equips their kids to own their own sexuality and provide an understanding of the larger issues of relationships, love, commitment, and intimacy. In addition, parents discover how helping their children grasp these veiled yet critical keys to a fulfilling life deepens their own connection with their children.With specific helps for children from birth through young adult, Dr. Chirban provides context for what needs to be communicated at each stage of their development as well as tips for the inevitable surprise questions. In addition, he tackles complicated issues such as pornography, relationships and the Internet, sexting, and homosexuality. Most important is the emphasis on strong family values and spirituality as it relates to sexuality.Previously released in 2007 as What's Love Got to Do With It?, this revised book adds new insights from today's culture that make it even more relevant to parents and families.

RECONNECT WITH THE PERSON YOU'RE MEANT TO BE

A four-step process that opens the door to a meaningful life...

Life's authentic moments provide the groundwork for connection to ourselves, others, and God, allowing us to assess what is most important in our lives and uncover the True Self. Such moments of clarity often result from crises, such as illness or loss, that awaken us to what is truly valuable. How can this be achieved in everyday living? Dr. John Chirban helps us assess the degree to which we are, or are not, connected to the True Self--and shows us how we can reconnect. From everyday men and women to notable Americans, including Tom Brokaw, Ron Howard, Maya Angelou, and Sandra Day O'Connor, the stories featured in this book underscore Dr. Chirban's message of the costs of losing the True Self, as well as the rewards of opening the heart to oneself and others. Dr. Chirban also offers an examination of the seven intrinsic qualities of the True Self: SpontaneityReasoningCreativityFree WillSpiritualityDiscernmentLove

By exploring these qualities and through the exclusive personal stories found in "True Coming of Age," readers will begin to explore their authentic nature and to engage their innate gifts, igniting their unique evolution and experiencing a true coming of age.

"This is a book about deeper listening . . . that will help professionals become more sensitive and enable closer communication. . . . This book is a must for professionals. Dr. Chirban shows us both how and why we interview. Interviewing In Depth will hold an important place on my shelf. I hope you find it as warm and fascinating as I have." --Allen E. Ivey, Ed.D., A.B.P.P., Distinguished University Professor, University of Massachusetts "This sensitive, reflective, and revealing book supplies a most valuable anatomy of the "deep structure" of the personal interview, as well as remarkable insights into people who have left indelible marks on our times. Clinicians and lay readers will be both instructed and fascinated by this work." --Thomas G. Gutheil, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Use this quote first "I hope this useful and challenging book reaches well beyond clinicians and other health professionals to anyone whose work depends upon face-to-face encounters. Its simple, yet radical message is that a successful interview is more likely to happen when collaboration, personal attributes, values, and feelings are brought and made available by both participants. Recognizing that this is precisely what professional interviewers have avoided, Dr. Chirban skillfully shows how mutual visibility can be achieved but managed: The interactive-relational approach works. Readers will love seeing it in action, especially with B.F. Skinner and Lucille Ball." --Anthony G. Barrand, Ph.D, Department of Anthropology, Boston University In Interviewing in Depth, John T. Chirban presents an innovative and powerful interviewing approach--the interactive-relational--that promises and delivers a clearer, deeper portrait of the person. By focusing on how the interviewer participates more fully in the interview, through particular interaction in the relationship he or she establishes, Chirban shows how the interviewer manages his or her personal feelings while still maintaining a professional stance. Through excerpts of interviews in journalism, oral histories, and psychohistory, Chirban draws from his work with B. F. Skinner, Lucille Ball, Sandra Day O'Connor, and patients to illustrate how the interactive-relational approach differs from more traditional techniques and applies to interviewing in the health professions, communications, and business as well as psychology.