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Professor Bruce Stevens

Professor Bruce Stevens

Honorary Professor

Bruce was ordained in the Anglican Church (1980). He is a retired clinical and forensic psychologist. He was the Wicking Professor of Ageing and Practical Theology at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Charles Sturt University 2015-2019. Prior to that he coordinated the clinical psychology program at the University of Canberra (as an Associate Professor), was an Associate Professor at Sydney College of Divinity while teaching at Southern Cross College and St Marks National Theological College in Pastoral Care and Counselling. He has over 30 peer reviewed publications and has published 12 books in popular psychology (Random House, 1995; Wiley-Blackwell, 2017), practice of psychology (Australian Academic Press, 2008, 2011, 2016; Wiley-Blackwell, 2015; New Harbinger, 2018), Christian counselling (Harper Collins, 1994; Novinka Publishers, 2017) and academic practical theology (Fortress Academic, 2018; Lexington Press, 2020). He developed the idea of grounded theology, a qualitative research method adapted to theological research. His most recent academic books include The storied self: A narrative approach to the spiritual care of the aged (Lanham, Maryland: Fortress Academic, 2018) and Before belief: Discovering first spiritual awareness (Maryland: Lexington Press, 2020) in which he explored the idea of spiritual development prior to language. He is writing Broken, but… Recovery and growth after spiritual trauma. He is presently an associate minister at Wesley Uniting Church Canberra. He is married to Dr Ann Harvey as senior staff specialist in Radiology at Canberra Hospital.

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (Pastoral Psychology) (Boston University)
Dissertation Title Religious responses to the Rorschach test: An application of the (1977) mutuality in autonomy in portrayed relationship’s scale 1987

Master of Theology (Australian College of Theology) 1981

LTh and Bachelor of Theology (Hons 2A) (Canberra College of Theology) 1978

Books

  • 2022
    • Stevens, B. (2022). Harmony and Discord: The Life of Bishop Owen Dowling (1934–2008). Melbourne: Coventry Press.
  • 2021
    • Stevens, B., DiFrancesco, C. & Roediger, E. (2021). Schema therapy for couples: Healing relationships. .
  • 2020
    • Stevens, B. (2020). Before Belief: Discovering First Spiritual Awareness. Maryland: Lexington Press.
  • 2019
    • Stevens, B. (2019). A Lasting Shine: The Legacy of John and Janet Wicking. Melbourne: Equity Trustees.
  • 2018
    • Stevens, B. (2018). The Storied Self: A Narrative Approach to the Spiritual Care of the Aged. Lanham, Maryland: Fortress Academic.
    • Stevens, B., Roediger, R. & Brockman, R. (2018). Contextual Schema Therapy: An Integrative Approach to Personality Disorders, Emotional Dysregulation, and Interpersonal Functioning. Context Press.
  • 2017
    • Stevens, B. & Roediger, E. (2017). Breaking Negative Relationship Patterns. Walden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
    • Stevens, B. & Miner-Bridges, M. (2017). Free to Love: Schema Therapy for Christians. New York: Novinka Publishers.
  • 2016
    • Stevens, B., Frankcom, K., & Watts, P. (2016). Fit to Practice: How-To Manual for Psychologists. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.
  • 2011
    • Stevens, B. & Arnstein, M. (2011). Happy ever after? A practical guide to relationship counselling for clinical psychologists. Australian Academic Press.
  • 2008
    • Stevens, B. (2008). Crossfire! Psychologists coping with cross-examination. Australian Academic Press.
  • 2001
    • Stevens, B. (2001). Mirror, Mirror: When Self-Love Undermines Your Relationship. Melbourne: PsychOZ Publications.
  • 1995
    • Stevens, B. (1995). Regaining Intimacy: Dealing with the Pain of Broken Relationships. Sydney: Random House.
  • 1994
    • Stevens, B. (1994). Setting Captives Free: Models for Individual, Marital and Group Counselling. Harper Collins: London.

Book Chapters

  • 2019
    • Stevens, B. & Brooke, N. (2019). Meditation and mindfulness: Resources for aged care? In Gu, D. & Dupre, M., Springer Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Ageing (pp. 1-7). Springer: Switzerland.
    • Shaw, R. & Stevens, B. (2019). Religion and spirituality in end-of-life care. In , Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging (pp. ). Springer Nature: Switzerland.
    • Stevens, B. (2019). The Hidden Story In Smith, S.; Blair, E. & Kleeman, C., In Embracing Life and Gathering Wisdom (pp. 173-186). SCD Press: Sydney.
  • 2016
    • Stevens, B. (2016). Spiritual learning: Hidden dynamics in moral injury In Miner, M. & Dawson, M., Proceedings of the Spirituality, Culture and Well-being Conference (pp. 223-234). Lumen Research Institute: Macquarie Park.
  • 2014
    • Stevens, B. (2014). Internet offenders as Girardian scapegoats In C. Fleming and J. Hodege, Violence, Desire and the Sacred, Vol. 2 (pp. 183-192). Bloomsbury Publisher: New York.
  • 2007
    • Stevens, B. (2007). The invasion of memory: A psychological perspective on trauma in the experience of God In Pickard, S., Resurrection to Return (pp. 172–184). AFT Press: Hindmarsh.
    • Stevens, B. (2007). What about the window? A consciousness perspective on language In Garrett, G., Into the World You Love: Essays on 50th Anniversary of St Marks (pp. 259–273). AFT Press: Hindmarsh.

Journal Articles

  • 2020
    • Stevens, B. (2020). Mapping the Fall: Understanding Narcissism. Australasian Pentecostal Studies, 4 9–28.
    • Stevens, B., & Miller, V. (2020). Sexual abuse in residential homes: Issues of concern. Gerontology and Geriatric Studies, 6(1).
  • 2019
    • Stevens, B. (2019). The dark story: Does it have a place in a life review?. Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging, 31(4) 369–376.
    • Cameron, A., Stevens, B., Shaw, R. & Bewert, P. (2019). Towards a ‘Social Anthropology’ of End-of-Life Moral Deliberation: A Study of Australian Salvation Army Officers. Studies in Christian Ethics, 33(3).
  • 2018
    • Stevens, B. (2018). Life tasks: Excellence in spiritual care through self-awareness. Journal of Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 6(2) 177–185.
    • Stevens, B. (2018). Life Tasks: Excellence in Spiritual Care through Self-awareness. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 6(2) 177-185.
    • Stevens, B. (2018). Ageing in corrective services: from the perspective of prison chaplains. Psychiatry Psychology and Law, 26(1) 1-13.
    • Stevens, B., & Clifton, S. (2018). Happiness and mental illness: Virtue ethics in dialogue with psychology. The Heythrop Journal,  1–14.
    • Stevens, B., Shaw, R., Bewart, P., & Salt, M. (2018). Differential influences of the facets of WHOQOL-SRPB on Salvation Army officers’ quality of life. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 8(1).
    • Stevens, B. (2018). Cosmic loneliness: An exploration in grounded theology. Journal of Aging and Geriatric Medicine, 2(1).
    • Stevens, B. (2018). The dark story: Does it have a place in a life review?. Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging, 31(4) 369–376.
  • 2017
    • Stevens, B., & Cowdell, S. (2017). Mimetic euphemism and mythology: Group therapy, scapegoating and the displacement of disquiet. , 24 37–56.
    • Stevens, B. (2017). Do we become more spiritual with age?. Journal of Aging and Geriatric Medicine, 1(2) 1–6.
    • Stevens, B. (2017). Spiritual knowing: A case study in entitlement. Journal of Contemporary Ministry, 3 58–66.
    • Stevens, B. (2017). The life tasks model: Enhancing psychological and spiritual growth in the aged. The Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, .
    • Stevens, B., Shaw, R., Bewart, P., Salt, M., Alexander, R., & Gee, B. L.(2017). A systematic review of aged care interventions for older prisoners. Australasian Journal of Ageing, .
    • Stevens, B. (2017). Deep story: A way forward in narrative gerontology?. Journal of Aging and Geriatric Medicine, 1(3).
    • Stevens, B. (2017). Grounded theology: A call to a community of practice. Practical Theology, .
    • Stevens, B., Shaw, R., Bewart, P., Salt, M., & Ma, J. (2017). Unique needs: Salvation Army officers in retirement and end-of-life care. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging,  1–15.
    • Stevens, B. (2017). I believe… A qualitative study of older adults. Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging,  1–13.
  • 2016
    • Stevens, B. (2016). Grounded theology: A new method to explore luck. Theology Today, 73(2) 117–128.
    • Stevens, B. (2016). Mindfulness: A positive spirituality for ageing?. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 35(3) 156–157.
    • Stevens, B. A., Sellick, W. J., & Cathcart, S. (2016). Religiosity and happiness: A comparison of the happiness levels between the religious and nonreligious. Journal of Happiness and Well-being, 40(1) 115–127.
    • Stevens, B. (2016). A few dangerous ideas in Christianity. St Marks Review, 237 1–7.
    • Stevens, B. (2016). Mindful self-compassion for chaplains and aged care workers. Journal of Religion, Aging and Spirituality, 28(3) 255–263.
  • 2015
    • Stevens, B., Hyde, J., Knight, R., Shires, A., & Alexander, R. (2015). Competency-based training and assessment in Australian postgraduate clinical psychology education. Clinical Psychologist, .
  • 2014
    • Stevens, B. (2014). The self-analysis of dreams: Does it work?. Psychotherapy in Australia, 20(2) 46-51.
    • Stevens, B. (2014). The self-analysis of dreams: A selfobject function?. Australasian Journal of Psychotherapy, 32(1) 40-55.
  • 2013
    • Stevens, B., et al. (2013). Making 'professionalism' meaningful to students in higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 38(8) 1222-1238.
    • Bradford, L. & Stevens, B. (2013). What's in the file? Opening the drawer on clinical record keeping in psychology. Australian Psychologist, 48(3) 178-187.
  • 2011
    • Mackay, G. J., Carey, T. A. & Stevens, B. (2011). The insider's experience of long-term peer victimisation.. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 21(2) 154-174.
    • Stevens, B. (2011). An unrecognized Girardian scapegoat? Criminal and social consequences for internet offenders. Colloquium, 43(2) 183–196.
  • 2009
    • Stevens, B. (2009). Rhetoric and the art of intervention. Psychotherapy in Australia, 16(1) 40-45.
  • 2007
    • Stevens, B. (2007). Death of Soul; Birth of Consciousness. Colloquium, 39(1) 90–102.
    • Stevens, B. (2007). The meta-interpretation: Co-constructing a psychoanalytic narrative. Psychotherapy in Australia (Refereed section), 13(2) 68–72.
  • 2006
    • Stevens, B. (2006). A love supreme: Religious experience and structural growth in personality. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 34(4) 318–326.
    • Stevens, B. (2006). Why feel bad? A theory of affect (emotions) and the relationship to Pentecostal spirituality. Australasian Pentecostal Studies, 9 81–97.
  • 2005
    • Stevens, B. (2005). When the disordered become ordered: Primitive ways of psychological organization. Psychotherapy in Australia (Refereed section), 11(4) 62–67.
    • Stevens, B. (2005). What ghosts do in the parlour: Elements of a corrective relational experience. Australasian Journal of Psychotherapy, 24(5) 8–34.
  • 2003
    • Stevens, B. (2003). Relationship therapy with “impossible” couples. Psychotherapy in Australia (Refereed section), 9(2) 68–74.
  • 2002
    • Stevens, B. (2002). The Transcendent Other. Australasian Journal of Psychotherapy, 21(2) 59–74.
  • 1991
    • Stevens, B. (1991). Chaos: a challenge to refine system's theory. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 12(1) 23–26.

Professional Memberships

Australian Psychological Society (since None)

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