The Spiritual First Responders Project is developing, refining, and studying a group intervention designed for spiritual seekers find their footing after a disorienting faith change.

The program is designed for individuals who have gone through a significant faith change and no longer identify with a religion in the way they once did. People who have been through this experience and have a lingering sense of spiritual longing (or distress even) are most eligible for this program.

The term “deconstruction” comes from the field of philosophy, but is more commonly used now in religious spaces to describe the experience of people who have gone through a period of faith change. This change usually includes a period of questioning, doubt, and/or rejection of a religious faith previously embraced (oftentimes, one they were raised with).

The program uses best practices from psychological science to assess the results of participation via a carefully worded intake and outtake survey. We will make information from these surveys available as soon as we are able (after following analysis protocols).

These are small groups, of 5 to 10 individuals, committed to meeting over 8 weeks. Each group has a facilitator who is a trained mental health professional. The leader will use a set of readings and prompts for personal reflection and discussion.

It will be a time for reflection, sharing, and listening to one another, with respect for wherever each individual is in their journey. We use a mindful listening practice (known as lectio divina in some religious traditions) as a launchpad for connecting with self and others.

The program will make use of passages from various texts considered sacred in some forms of Judeo-Christian faith communities. These texts will not be used religiously or in affiliation with a religious group nor will be considered spiritually authoritative but will merely be used inclusively for meditative purposes. We acknowledge that some sacred texts have been used in spiritually abusive ways and that engaging these texts can stir up distressing feelings.

Trained facilitators will set clear ground rules at the outset and make sure the conversation is appropriate. They will ensure that everyone feels comfortable and heard, with appropriate boundaries made clear.

No. Part of the job of the facilitator is to ensure no agenda is promoted in the groups apart from each individual’s spiritual autonomy and health. The program is decidedly not faith-based.

At this point, there are in-person groups local to Chattanooga, TN as well as virtual groups held online. Plans to expand are forthcoming, including the option for in-person groups in more cities. Join the mailing list for updates.

Groups typically last 2 hours and meet once a week for 8 weeks.

During this phase of the project, groups are free. We just ask that you submit a short survey about your experience at the beginning and end so that we can learn and improve based on feedback. As we expand, we are looking for ways to ensure the quality and accessibility of the program for as many people as possible.

No. Participants are simply asked to come with an openness to listen to one another and share as they feel comfortable.

No. All Spiritual Process Groups are led by trained and certified mental health professionals.

Just as physical health is distinct but linked to mental health, so spiritual health. There is not one universally agreed-upon definition of “spirituality,” but broadly construed, it refers to the dimension of a person that includes: feelings of connection with self and others, transcendence and awe, a sense of purpose, and moral convictions (and sometimes, connection to God or a higher power).

People naturally search for meaning in life. We create stories to understand and find a place in the world. This gives us a sense of direction. Spiritual meaning-making refers to the stories we create to support the spiritual aspects of our lives (our purpose, direction, sense of self, etc.)

Funding and support is provided by the John Templeton Foundation and Richmont Graduate University.

The John Templeton Foundation is a philanthropic organization that focuses on "funding research and catalyzing conversations that enable people to create lives of purpose and meaning." Their interest in this project stems from their mission to promote human flourishing. For more about the foundation, visit templeton.org.

Richmont is a private, historically Christian university with campuses in Tennessee and Georgia. It offers graduate degrees in counseling and ministry. The school is CACREP accredited and abides by national standards of mental health care, which includes acceptance of all religious and personal lifestyles. The university is invested in the spiritual health of all people and believes in the spiritual agency of each individual. Learn more about Richmont at richmont.edu/about.

A spiritually sensitive therapist is a mental health professional who (1) acknowledges and respects the role of spirituality in a client's life, (2) avoids imposing their own beliefs, and (3) integrates spiritual aspects into therapy, if appropriate and desired by the client. All certified, professional therapists take an oath to honor and respect any client’s spiritual beliefs. That said, some therapists have special training regarding spirituality, spiritual practices, and mental health issues relating to experiences with religion.

No. This program is not related to “Christian counseling,” “Biblical counseling,” “Nouthetic counseling,” “Theophostic counseling,” or any other specifically Christian-branded “therapy” styles. The program is fully evidence-based and informed by professional, clinical psychology.

The program is designed to respect a variety of religious and spiritual positions. “Spirituality” can be broadly defined to refer to traits like feelings of connectedness, transcendence, a sense of purpose, and/or morality. Your spiritual health can be improved apart from your certainty about God, spiritual beings, or theological concepts.

The post-intervention process is still being improved and developed. A comprehensive support document will also be provided to all participants, which includes referrals to licensed mental healthcare providers, an option to continue in informal groups, and other resources.

The focus will be on reconstructing healthy spirituality, but to get there, we often need to reflect on and process past harms. There will be space for that.

Based on your answers, someone will reply to you within two weeks.

Trained psychologists and mental health professionals are the only ones leading the process groups. The care and leadership they provide complies with national standards. The theologians on the team are resources to the psychologists, to help them understand and navigate the religious and spiritual ideas that come up in conversations.