Chapter 6: "African American Social Cultural Formation, the Bible, and Depth Psychology," in African Americans and the Bible: Sacred Text and Social Texture, ed. Vincent L. Wimbush, New York: Continuum International, 2000.
"Christian Rest House Team Members Telling Their Stories"
DAVID C. ASOMANING
BIO
David Asomaning, is the founder of THE CHRISTIAN REST HOUSE, SYNCHROMIND: The Leadership Development CompanySM, a consulting and training firm dedicated to individual and organizational leadership development and achievement, and THE LEADERSHIP CIRCLE.
David grew up in Ghana, West Africa until 1977, when at the age of 17 he left for the U.S. He is a graduate of Yale University, has a teaching certificate from Southern Connecticut State University, and also has graduate degrees in religious studies from Hartford Seminary, and the Yale Divinity School, as well as a diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School.
He was trained as a psychotherapist at The Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute, and is now completing a Ph.D. in depth psychology and religion at Union Theological Seminary.
CURRICULUM VITAE
1270 Fifth Avenue, 10B
New York, NY 10029
P. (212) 423-3056
F. (212) 369-4350
EDUCATION
Union Theological Seminary
Ph.D. Candidate, Psychiatry and Religion, degree expected 2003.
Dissertation: "Signs, Wonders, and Healing: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Dimensions of the Relationship between Synchronicity and the Miraculous."
M.Phil., 1999.
The Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute
Training in Individual, Couple, Family, and Group Psychotherapy 1992-1996.
Thesis: "From Eden to Paradise the Long Way Around as Efficaciously as Possible."
Hartford Hospital
Clinical Pastoral Education Certificates, 1991 and 1992.
Yale University Divinity School
M. Div., 1992.
Berkeley Divinity School
Diploma of Anglican Studies, 1992.
Hartford Seminary
M.A., Religious Studies, 1991.
Thesis: "Reinhold Niebuhr's Conception of Evil."
Southern Connecticut State University
Teaching Certificate in Secondary School Science, 1987.
Yale University
B.S., Biology, 1981.
Thesis: "Split Brain Research as it Elucidates the Concept of Mental Unity."
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
The American Association of Pastoral Counselors, First Annual Award for Minority Recruitment, 1997.
The Blanton-Peale Psychotherapy Residency Program, Philip Carret Fellow, 1996.
Blanton-Peale Scholarship Committee Grant, 1992-1996.
Union Theological Seminary Doctoral Fellowship, 1992-1994.
The Fund for Theological Education Fellowship, 1992.
Hartford Hospital Chaplaincy Scholarship, 1992.
The Episcopal Church Council for the Development of Ministry Scholarship, 1992.
The Episcopal Church Black Ministries Scholarship, 1992-1993.
Yale Divinity School Grant, 1990-1992.
Yale University Undergraduate Grant, 1977-1981.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Conferences
Priorities for New Yorkers of African Descent during the Bloomberg Administration:
Observer on behalf of Conference Chair, Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr., 2002.
African Americans and the Bible – Social Cultural Formation and Sacred Texts:
A Multidisciplinary Arts-Expressive International Conference, 1999.
Presented paper – "African Americans and Miraculous Healing: Toward a Depth Psychological, Biblical, and Semiotic Hermeneutic."
American Association of Pastoral Counselors Training Centers Conference:
Presented workshop to directors of various centers on recruiting minority students into the field of pastoral care and counseling, 1997.
The Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute:
Case Presentation – "Drifting Gently Towards Wholeness," 1996.
American Academy of Religion, Society of Biblical Literature, 1995 Tri-regional
Meeting with the theme "Jests, Tricksters, Wits, and April Fools: The Places of Levity in Religion."
Presented paper – "Psychoanalysis, Religion, and Ananse the Trickster."
Blanton-Peale Pastoral Studies Day:
Howard Clinebell: New Pastoral Approaches to Healing, 1995"
Panel Discussion and Response to Howard Clinebell’s lecture on his book, Ecotherapy: An Earth-Grounded Model of personality Theory and Therapy – Finding the Lost Self/Finding the Lost Earth.
Union Theological Seminary Psychiatry and Religion Department Meeting:
Speaker on the topic: "Depth Psychology, Resistance, and the Internet," 1994.
Book Chapters
Chapter 6: "African American Social Cultural Formation, the Bible, and Depth Psychology," in African Americans and the Bible: Sacred Text and Social Texture, ed. Vincent L. Wimbush, New York: Continuum International, 2000.
Book Reviews
Merkur Dan, The Ecstatic Imagination: Psychedelic Experiences and the Psychoanalysis of Self-Actualization, in Journal of Religion and Health.
Sandner, Donald F., and Steven H. Wong, eds., The Sacred Heritage: The Influence of Shamanism on Analytical Psychology, in Journal of Religion and Health.
Adams, Michael Vannoy, The Multicultural Imagination: "Race," Color, and the Unconscious, in Journal of Religion and Health, 37:384-385 Win 1998.
Lee, Jae Hoon, The Experience of the Inner Wounds: Han, in Journal of Religion and Health, 36:383-384 Win 1997.
Ulanov, Barry, Jung and the Outside World, in Journal of Religion and Health, 34:78-79 Spr 1995.
Peters, Ted, Sin: Radical Evil in Soul and Society, in Journal of Religion and Health, 34:261-262 Fall 1995.
Sanford, John A., Jung and the Problem of Evil: The Strange Trial of Mr. Hyde,in Journal of Religion and Health, 33:200-201 Sum 1994.
Park, Andrew Sung, The Wounded Heart of God: The Asian Concept of Han andthe Church, in the Journal of Religion and Health, 33:200-201 Sum 1994.
Magazines
Heart and Soul, February, 2002 featured in article, "Let Love In," p. 58-9.
Newsletters
Asomaning, David, Meriann Taylor, and Keith V. Wallace, "Stirrings and Ripples of Multicultural Healing," American Association of Pastoral Counselors Newsletter, Fall, 1996.
Educational Institutions
Union Theological Seminary Students of Color Retreat Workshop Facilitator, "Community Building at Union," 1999.
Churches
The Marble Connection (Young Adult Fellowship) of Marble Collegiate Church.
Guest Speaker, "Dreams: The Window to the Soul," 1998.
Church of the Incarnation Youth Group, 1998.
Guest Speaker, "Racism: How Are We Doing – Therapeutic Reflections?"
Riverside Church Pastoral Counseling Center Workshop Series:
"Spirituality and Sexuality," 1999.
"From Anger to Forgiveness I," 1998.
"From Anger to Forgiveness II," 1998.
"Exploring The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," 1997.
"Transformation: What Helps? What Hinders? What Are We trying to Become?," 1997.
"Listening for God: The Miraculous in Personal Growth," 1996.
Catholic Family Services, 1995.
Motivational Seminar for Unemployed Job-Seekers.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Poconos, 1995.
Presenter: "African Religion: The Trickster and Depth Psychology."
Ghana Presbyterian Church, New York, 1995.
Sermon: "Come Friend Jesus, Universal Source of All Life," (John
15:11-15).
St. Andrews Episcopal Church:
Adult Education Bible Class Series, 1991-93.
Sermons:
"God’s Rewards and Blessings for Us," (Luke 6:17-31).
"The Sting of Death is Overcome," (John 19:1-37).
"Let There Now Be Sight," (John 9:1-38).
"Blessed Release from Terror," (Matthew 5:1-12).
"The Promise of Heaven," (Luke 20:27-38).
"The Way, the Truth, and the Life," (John 14:1-14).
"Loving Others as Ourselves," (Luke 10:25-37).
"Working for the Good News," (Matthew 9:35-10:15).
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Interdisciplinary study of synchronicity and the miraculous on the interface between religion and depth psychology. In this regard, development of a hermeneutic of integration and praxis which embraces sacred texts, signs, and experiences of divine deliverance in relation to the psychology of oppression. Application of this hermeneutic of integration and praxis to Western, Eastern, African, African-American spirit-mind-body wellness, self-help, and leadership strategies.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Guest Speaker and Role-Playing Psychotherapist, Union Theological Seminary
Course: "Theories of Depth Psychology," 1997 and 1998.
Faculty Member, Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute:
Teaching Fellow, Psychotherapy Residency Program, 1997
Courses:
"Introduction to Individual Psychotherapy."
"Ethnicity, Family Values, and Therapy."
Co-Coordinator and Faculty Member, Pastoral Care
Awareness Program, 1995-97.
Course Series:
"Creating Healing Communities."
Faculty Member, Pastoral Studies Program, 1994-97.
Courses:
"Human Growth and Development."
"Theories of Pastoral Care and Counseling."
"Professional Roles and Identity."
"The Development of Professional Leadership."
Supervisor of Clinical Cases and Peer Group Process Facilitator.
Science Teacher, Wesleyan University Upward Bound Program, Summer, 1990.
Science Teacher/Soccer Coach, Portland Middle School, 1987-90.
Science Teacher, The Founders School for Socially and Emotionally Maladjusted Adolescents, 1985-87.
Teacher, The Benhaven School for Autistic and Neurologically Impaired
Adolescents, 1983-84.
EXPERIENCE IN COUNSELING AND THE PRACTICE OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
Private Practice of Psychotherapy, 1997-99.
Staff Psychotherapist, Riverside Church, 1994-1999.
Resident and Staff Psychotherapist, Blanton-Peale, 1992-1997.
Milieu Counselor, The Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service, summer, 1993.
Counselor, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1991-93.
Counselor, The Jefferson House Skilled Nursing Facility for the Elderly, summer,
1992.
Counselor, Wesleyan University Protestant Chaplaincy, 1990-1991.
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
Synchromind Leadership Development Consulting:
Turning Heads Day Spa, 2001-present.
Chelsea Market Baskets, 2001-present.
Material Records, 2000-present.
United American Energy Corp., 2000.
Bethany Presbyterian Church (Presbytery of the Northern Palisades), 1998.
Synchromind Leadership Development Seminars:
The Synchromind Seminar Development Team, 2001-02.
The HIP Foundation, 2000.
The Marble Connection (Young Adult Fellowship) of Marble Collegiate Church. Facilitator, Fall Retreat, "Believe in Yourself and Create Your Own Miracles," 1999.
Riverside Church Rites of Passage and S.O.S. Youth Groups,1999.
Other:
Social Sciences Division of the African Americans and the Bible Research Project: An Interdisciplinary Research Project (www.uts.columbia.edu/projects/AFAMBIBL); Director: Vincent L. Wimbush, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Union Theological Seminary, 1997- 2000.
Strategic Consulting Team for New Educational Programming, and Project Leader for Marketing and Promotion Drive, Blanton-Peale, 1996-97.
Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, Advisory Committee for the Anand Center for Spirituality, 1991-1992.
Yale Divinity School Task Force on Diversity, 1990-92.
Task Force on Diversity for the School District of Portland, CT, 1988-90.
South Africa Committee, Church of the Holy Trinity, 1990-93.
Task Force on Diversity and Science Education, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, 1989.
CHURCH AFFILIATIONS
Times Square Church, New York, NY.
Riverside Church, New York, NY.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Meriden, CT.
Church of the Holy Trinity, Middletown, CT.
The Fellowship of Life, Cheshire, CT.
The Episcopal Church at Yale, New Haven, CT.
The Yale Christian Fellowship, New Haven, CT.
DENOMINATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Non-denominational
Episcopalian
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Other Positions
Founder, THE LEADERSHIP CIRCLE, 2002.
Founder, THE CHRISTIAN REST HOUSE, 2002.
Founder, SYNCHROMIND: THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, 1999.
Advisory Board, Advocates for the Integration of Recovery and Methadone (A.F.I.R.M.), 1999-ongoing.
Member, Union Theological Seminary Black Student Caucus, 1992-present.
Member, Union Theological Seminary People of Color, 1996.
Member, Organization of Black Episcopal Seminarians, 1990-94.
Chaplain, Black Seminarians at Yale, 1991-92.
Research Assistant, Yale Medical School and Biology Department 1982-83.
Yale University Student Coordinator, Volunteer Program of the Adolescent Unit, Yale-New Haven Hospital, 1979-80.
Languages
Fluent in the Akan language of Ghana, West Africa.
REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST