PTC 222 Course at a Glance (2025)

Counseling & Physiology

Lectures By: Mike Emlet

3 Credits

Course Description

In this class you will look at issues such as traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, OCD, bipolar disorder, and other problems that require discernment of physical and spiritual components of the struggle. You will also gain an understanding of the role of psychoactive medications and psychiatry in caring for others. Through lectures, group discussion, and case studies you’ll learn how to wisely help those who struggle with problems in which both attention to physical and spiritual aspects are paramount.

Books to Purchase

The books listed below are required readings which students should acquire by the start of the term. Additional required readings will be listed in the course syllabus and available electronically in Canvas.

Descriptions and Prescriptions: A Biblical Perspective on Psychiatric Diagnoses and Medications
by Michael R. Emlet
New Growth Press, 2017
ISBN: 9781945270116
Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability, revised and expanded ed.
by Stephanie Hubach
P & R, 2020
ISBN: 9781629956916
You’re Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News
by Kelly Kapic
Brazos Press, 2022
ISBN: 9781587435102
Postpartum Depression: Hope for a Hard Season
by Christine M. Chappell
New Growth Press, 2024
ISBN: 9781645074359
You will choose one (only one is required) of the following books and are required to read:

Where is the Mango Princess? A Journey Back from Brain Injury
by Cathy Crimmins
Vintage Books, 2001
*Note: This book contains graphic language and sporadic sensuality. While these portions of the book are in keeping with a non-Christian memoir and are not gratuitous, this may factor into some students’ choice of book.

Strangers to Ourselves: Unsettled Minds and the Stories That Make Us
by Rachel Aviv
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 2022
*Note to students: This book has occasional bad language and brief references to sexuality. It is not a Christian memoir but wrestles with the important question of how we should think about the experience of mental illness.

Limping Heavenward: Living by Faith in Comprehensive and Chronic Suffering
by Karrie Hahn
P & R, 2025

Estimated Workload

The estimated workload is still being calculated for this course. This will be made available shortly.

Lectures Readings Assignments
1.75-3 91-130 5.5-7.5
Hours Per Week Pages Per Week Hours Per Week

Course Assignments

The assignments listed below are provided for general guidance for students to reference as they plan and register. Please reach out to support@wts.edu if you have any questions.

  • Small Group Meetings [4 - 1 hr mtgs]
  • 2 Case Study Papers [4–5 pages each]
  • Final Ministry Project [6-7 pages]