How can New York City’s Blanton-Peale Institute & Counseling Center become a better “dance partner” to faith communities as they seek to address mental health needs in their congregations and communities? How can those with psychological and mental health competencies best complement the work of those with religious and spiritual competencies? These are the questions this thesis seeks to address, in the midst of a city-wide mental health crisis. Inspired by the biblical vision of shalom, by the belief that partnerships enable organizations to create added value, and by an understanding that adaptive challenges require leaders to mobilize others for discovery, a “Mental Health and Spirituality Working Group” was created. It utilized the tools of Appreciative Inquiry to focus on the most positive potential and unleash energy for transformation and sustainable success. Building on five key learnings from the project, Blanton-Peale is becoming more skilled in partnering with faith communities and is better positioned to carry forward its legacy of innovation.
