Psychosis or Mystical Religious Experience?: A New Paradigm Grounded in Psychology and Reformed Theology

“The conceptual and historical reach of this book is extensive … DeHoff's book is a solid step in the direction of the needed collaboration between the disciplines of clinical psychology, theology, and pastoral care. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.” (M. Uebel, Choice, Vol. 56 (2), 2018)

This book presents a new paradigm for distinguishing psychotic and mystical religious experiences. In order to explore how Presbyterian pastors differentiate such events, Susan L. DeHoff draws from Reformed theology, psychological theory, and robust qualitative research. Following a conversation among multidisciplinary voices, she presents a new paradigm considering the similarities, differences, and possible overlap of psychotic and mystical religious experiences.

Susan L. DeHoff is Visiting Scholar in the School of Theology at Boston University, USA. She holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology and Religion from Boston University, USA and a M.Div. from Emory University, USA. DeHoff is ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is a Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.