HU professor emeritus publishes first book

Dr. Jerry Davis, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, professor emeritus of counseling and founder of the clinical mental health counseling master’s degree program at Huntington University, published his first book in December 2023. Entitled “Grow in Grace Grow in Strength: Practical Wisdom from the Bible and Psychology,” the book is a devotional focused on self-care.

“For several years, many of the students in the graduate counseling program had encouraged me to write out the devotional thoughts I would share at the beginning of classes,” said Davis. “I have also had some of my mental health clients tell me the same. When I retired from HU, I began to take these requests more seriously. I now had more time and effort to put into the book.”

Although the idea originated in a counseling context, Davis notes that the devotional has a broad appeal for anyone who is serious about self-care, healing and growth — especially for anyone who is interested in practical instructions for improving self-care built on biblical principles.

Consisting of 52 devotions, the book is a collection of wisdom from the Bible and from psychology, drawing on Davis’ expertise he has accumulated over decades of work in higher education and clinical counseling settings.

“This book is absolutely a product of my work in the clinical mental health graduate program,” said Davis. “The university strongly encourages all faculty to integrate their discipline with Biblical thought and practice. The book would not have been written without the support and encouragement of Huntington University, including the administration, faculty and staff.”

Dr. Jerry Davis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lancaster Bible College, a Master of Education degree in counselor education from Millersville University, and a PhD from Purdue University. Prior to his retirement from Huntington University in 2021, his career at HU spanned more than a quarter of a century with various roles in both student development and the classroom. He launched the graduate counseling program in 2007 and was instrumental in shaping a new generation of Christian clinical mental health counselors.

“Grow in Grace Grow in Strength: Practical Wisdom from the Bible and Psychology” is available through Amazon.