title: A neuropastoral care and counseling assessment of glossolalia: a theosocial cognitive study.
abstract: This paper provides an example of the application of neuropastoral care and counseling using neuroscience research on glossolalia, that is, speaking in tongues as practiced in Pentecostal Christianity. The paper is based in part on a 2006 article by Andrew Newberg and assesses glossolalia's biogenic, psychogenic, and theogenic dimensions. The assessment concludes glossolalia is an implicitly learned sacred behavior. Unconsciously learned fears may interfere with the practice of glossolalia. A person, from a Pentecostal Christian background, might see this inability as an act of disobedience or a lack of faith. In such cases, verbal counseling would be of limited assistance. Neuropastoral care and counseling responses begin with reassurance followed by cognitive behavioral interventions such as passive extinction, cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and guided imagery.
authors.affiliation: Jarvis Christian College, Athens, Texas 75751, USA. kdjohnson@suddenlink.net
authors.forename: Kyle D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D002835:Christianity; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003376:Counseling; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D009488:Neurosciences; D010327:Pastoral Care; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*