Christopher Hershman has been licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Counseling. Christopher is also an ordained Christian minister, a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and has been certified as an Addictions Specialist, a Group Psychotherapist and a Family Life Educator. He is presently working towards Approved Supervisor status with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Christopher earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree from Kutztown University, Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology degrees from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Marriage and Family from what is now the Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University.
Christopher began his professional career in 1976 as a counselor at a children's institution (The Lutheran Home, Topton, Pennsylvania) and later worked as an addictions counselor (Reading Hospital, Reading, Pennsylvania). Much of his marriage and family training was completed at Catholic Social Agency, Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was also supervised and received training as a clinical supervisor training through clinical supervisors affiliated with the Penn Council for Relationships, Philadelphia, Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University (St. Davids, Pennsylvania), Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Louisville, Kentucky) and the Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pennsylvania (Allentown, Pennsylvania).
Christopher has been a parish pastor since 1984 and has been has been in full-time independent clinical practice since 1992. He founded and incorporated the Marriage and Family Institute and Covenant Counseling Services in 1997.
Since 1992, Christopher has served as part-time pastor of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 710 North 11th Street, Allentown. In addition, through the years, he has also worked part-time as a writer, newspaper columnist, photojournalist, editor and adjunct professor of psychology, teaching graduate courses in the areas of marriage and family therapy and techniques, adolescence, human developmentaddictions, the addictive family, and the spirituality of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, etc.
The responsible integration of Christian theology, psychology and family therapy has been a key focus throughout his career. While he has been trained in various theoretical perspectives, his foundation has always been a living faith in God based on the teachings of the Bible.
Although he has many and varied hobbies and interests, ranging from reading to art, classical music, jewelry making, leather work, target shooting, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, photography, Civil War Reenacting, etc., his two children, Alex, born 1992, and Nicole, born 1995, are the joy of his life.
Approach to Treatment
Christopher Hershman is often sought out because of his Christian identity. However, his patients include individuals, couples and families from all religious faiths. As a Christian psychologist, Christopher understands people as created good, broken by sin, and seeking divine love, forgiveness and healing. He has been influenced by many theoretical perspectives, including those of Martin Luther, Soren Kierkegaard, Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Rudolf Bultmann, Wolfhart Pannenberg, Alfred Adler, Murray Bowen and Salvatore Minuchin and also utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other therapeutic techniques. His key therapeutic principles include::
Christopher Hershman, DMin
Therapy is most effective within a mutually trusting relationship between therapist and client within a climate of mutual respect, compassion, sensitivity and unconditional acceptance.
Therapist and patient collaborate in setting goals and achieving objectives.
Individuals can be understood through the roles and structures of the relational systems in which they participate.
All people ultimately need unconditional love and acceptance.
Human behavior tends to be both repetitive and consistent.
Reciprocal relationships typically develop between: over- and under-functioning; avoidance and domination; assertiveness and self-respect.
Psychopathology is caused by many factors including biogenetic predisposition, family history and roles, interactional styles, personality attributes and relational dynamics.
Because therapy involves challenging false assumptions and unrealistic expectations it is necessarily directive and structured.
Change requires accepting problems, motivation and steps toward change.
Therapy involves building upon strengths and positive attributes, restructuring role relationships, personal empowerment, differentiation of self, setting limits and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Individuals, couples and families benefit from learning new relationship skills such as conflict management, communication, assertiveness, anger management, parenting, relapse prevention, etc.
Licenses
Licensed Psychologist, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1995-present);
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2002-present);
Licensed Professional Counselor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2003-present).
Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family, Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University (formerly known as Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary), Philadelphia, PA(1991);
Master of Sacred Theology in Systematic Theology, The Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Thesis entitled: Faith and Psychotherapy (1988);
Master of Divinity, The Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia (1984);
Basic Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (1981);
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA (1979);
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Kutztown University (1977);
Associate in Applied Science in Business Management, Reading Area Community College, Reading, PA (1975).
EXPERIENCE:
President/CEO, The Marriage & Family Institute/Covenant Counseling Services, Allentown, PA (1997-present);
Independent Practice as Licensed Psychologist, Pastoral Counselor, and Marriage andFamily Therapist, Allentown, PA (1992-present);
Part-time Pastor, St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown (1992-present);
Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Chestnut Hill College at Allentown College, Center Valley, PA (1997-present);
Marriage and Family Therapist, Catholic Social Agency, Allentown (1987-1992);
Pastor, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fogelsville, PA (1984-1992);
Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministry, St. Paul'sEvangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown (1983-1984);
Vicar, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whitehall, PA (1982-1983);
Addictions Counselor, Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, PA (1979-1980);
Graduate Assistant, Kutztown University (1978-1979);
Counselor, Children's Department, The Lutheran Home, Topton, PA (1976-1979).
Specialties: Pastoral/Christian Counseling; Marriage and Family Therapy; Anxiety and Depression; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Bipolar Disorder; Post Tramatic Stress Disorder; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Phobias; Somataphorm Disorders, such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder; Eating Disorders; Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and Dependency; Sexual Dysfunctions; Paraphilias and Sexual Addiction; Gender Identity Disorder, such as Ego-Dystonic Homosexuality; Impulse -Control Disorders, such as Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Kleptomania, Trichotillomania and Pathological Gambling; Adjustment Disorders; Personality Disorders; Abuse Survivors; Marital and Family Educations and training; Psychological Evaluation & Testing; Counseling & Psychotherapy; Clinical Supervision and Administration.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1988- Present);
Ordained by the former Lutheran Church in America on June 10, 1984 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown, Pennsylvania; Bishop Harold Weiss, presiding;
Confirmed on Pentecost Sunday, May 17, 1970 at Advent Evanagelical Lutheran Church, West Lawn, Pennsylvania, then a congregation of the Lutheran Church in America; Pastor Harold Baer, STM presiding;
Baptized on Sunday April 17, 1956 at Advent Evanagelical Lutheran Church, West Lawn, Pennsylvania, then a congregation of the United Lutheran Church in America; Pastor Malcolm Albright, STM, presiding.
