The Meaning of Mental Health: Therapist and Patient in Dialogue

New Book August 2026 (in press)
Resource Publications, imprint of Wipf & Stock Publishers

“Marcia Murphy draws attention to the inadequacy of a purely biological understanding of mental illness, the need for psychiatrists to care for the whole person, and the importance of faith and meaning making. Creative, provocative, and a cry for a more compassionate and spiritual approach to mental healthcare.”

—Christopher C. H. Cook, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality, Theology & Health, Durham University

“The Meaning of Mental Health is an interesting study of the personal and fictionalized experiences of the author. The exploration of what mental health is—especially utilizing perspectives far more comprehensive than the medical model—is especially compelling. Practitioner readers will benefit from understanding the perspectives of patients more fully, and patients from feeling better understood.”

—Scott Stuart, MD, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, University of Iowa and University of Southern California

Summary

This is the story of a therapist, a psychiatrist, who is doing treatment for several patients, each with a different story of illness and complex issues that will be discussed in therapy. These issues will be examined from not only the medical standpoint, but especially from a spiritual one with a pastoral/priest character also coming into the picture. The dialogue is the main source of information going on between all the characters. Spiritual meanings have great potential to strengthen the person who is struggling to overcome challenges associated with a mental illness and can promote healing.