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Dr. Currier will be reviewing applications for the SPiRIT Lab for the 2024-25 academic year.

Education

APA Accredited Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Polytrauma and Returning Veterans (OEF/OIF) Program, Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis TN

APA Accredited Clinical Psychology Internship, Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis TN

Ph.D Clinical Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis TN

M.A. Clinical Psychology, Wheaton College, Wheaton IL

B.A. Psychology and Catholic Studies, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul MN

Research Interests

My research broadly focuses on the multifaceted role of spirituality and religion (S/R) in coping with traumatic events and other mental health challenges. Along with graduate and undergraduate students, our Spirituality in Psychological Research, Intervention, and Training (SPiRIT) Lab generally pursues two types of studies: (1) basic research studies that examine pathways or processes via which S/R can promote resilience, cause psychological suffering, and/or influence the etiology, phenomenology, and healing of PTSD, moral injury, and other clinical problems; and (2) translational research studies that will lead to ethical and effective strategies for routinely addressing S/R in clinical training and practice. We rely on diverse scientific methods to achieve these goals, including mixed methods, longitudinal surveys, practice-based evidence research, meta-analysis, experience sampling, and community participatory action research. We also regularly collaborate with colleagues from psychology and other healthcare fields (including chaplaincy), community partners and organizations, and funders who make our work possible.  

Recent Projects

: Lectio divina (latin for divine reading) is an ancient Christian practice of contemplative prayer with four steps or movements: reading sacred scripture (lectio), reflecting and savoring what is read (meditatio), listening and responding prayerfully to God and the revelations have for one's life (oratio), and awareness and resting in God’s presence (contemplatio). In partnership with colleagues from Stetson University, Ohio State University, and Contemplative Outreach, we will undertake a sequential-explanatory project involving: (1) cross-sectional surveys to explore variations and associated outcomes of lectio divina in experienced practitioners’ everyday lives; (2) an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study that will elucidate antecedents, microprocesses, and proximal outcomes of the four steps and practice as a whole; (3) a dismantling RCT that will assess the distinct value of the single apophatic element of the practice (contemplatio); (4) and qualitative investigations that will further reveal dynamics and probable benefits of contemplation and the three kataphatic elements. In tandem, the sequence of these studies will advance scientific research and possible clinical, ministry, and other applications of lectio divina that may enhance human flourishing across spiritual, psychological, existential, and physiological domains.
 
: In partnership with colleagues from Wheaton College, University of Central Florida, and Florida State University, this project seeks to illumine the nature, expressions, and functions of divine forgiveness (DF) in theistic relational spirituality across three phases. In Phase 1, we will conduct an online survey assessing DF, religious attachment, and other psychospiritual factors. In Phase 2, we will examine the reciprocal interplay between DF and indices of psychospiritual functioning (e.g., positive and negative emotion, moral struggles, self-compassion) in a representative group of survey respondents via an ecological momentary assessment approach. In Phase 3, participants will complete an adapted version of the Religious Attachment Interview that has been designed to examine how individual differences in religious attachment might influence perceptions and experiences of DF. 
 
: In partnership with psychology, counseling, and social work colleagues from five universities, the project seeks to promote research and training in spiritual and religious (S/R) competencies via micro-, mezzo-and macro-level objectives across four initiatives: (1) develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate an integrated curricular approach to infusing training in S/R competencies into graduate coursework; (2) produce resources/tools for assessing and addressing S/R competencies in clinical training settings; (3) conduct a national, inter-disciplinary survey of graduate faculty to understand faculty views, experiences, and perceived barriers/supports to training their students in S/R competencies; and (4) coordinate a set of systems-level change activities to identify/remove barriers and promote widespread integration of S/R competencies in mental health training, research, and practice. 

Recent Publications

Currier, J. M. Pearce, M. J., Wong, S., Salcone, S., Brock, B., Kim, E., Kemp, D., Hinkel, H., Oxhandler, H. K., Vieten, C., Fox, J., Polson, C., & Pargament, K. I. (in press). Acceptability and feasibility of infusing training in spiritual and religious competencies in mental health graduate education. Training and Education in Professional Psychology. 

Pearce, M. J., Pargament, K. I., Wong, S., Hinkel, H., Salcone, S., Morgan, G., Kemp, D., Brock, B., Kim, E., Oxhandler, H. K., Vieten, C., Fox, J., Polson, C., & Currier, J. M. (2024). Enhancing training in spiritual and religious competencies in mental health graduate education: Evaluation of an integrated curricular approach. PLOS ONE. 19(9): e0306114.  

Currier, J. M., Swift, J., Sanders, P., & Richards, P. S. (2024). Preventing dropout in spiritually integrated psychotherapies: What are effective methods of attending to clients’ spirituality? Psychotherapy. Advance online publication.  

Currier. J. M., Bounds, E. M., Matsuo, H., Abernethy, A. D., Witvliet, C. V., VanHarn, K., Root Luna, L., Foster, J. D., & Schnitker, S. A. (2024). Temporal associations between meaning in life, ultimate meaning struggles, and mental health outcomes in a spiritually integrated inpatient program. Journal of Clinical Psychology. Advance online publication.  

Currier, J. M., McDermott, R. C., Sanders, P., Barkham, M., Owen, J., Saxon, D., & Richards, P. S. (2024). Practice-based evidence for spiritually integrated psychotherapies: Examining trajectories of psychological and spiritual distress. Journal of Counseling Psychology. Advanced online publication.   

Currier, J. M., McDermott, R. C., Fernandez, P., Salcone, S., Hinkel H. M., Schuler, K., Fadoir, N., & Smith, P. N. (2024). Examining the outcomes and acceptability of a peer-led spiritual intervention for moral injury in a Veteran Service Organization. Psychological Services, 21, 276-286.