Seminar on Spirituality and Counselling
- VID Stavanger, library – study lounge
- April 22nd 2026, 08:45 – 12:00
The seminar is hosted by the CAP (Church and Practice) research group at VID's Faculty of Theology and Social Sciences as part of the Erasmus+ collaboration between LTS and VIDs Department of Theology in Stavanger. The seminar also includes a presentation of the Christian Counselling Ministry in Hong Kong.
Introduction of Dr. Lam
Dr. Angel Lam is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Christian Counselling at the LTS in Hong Kong, where she also serves as Director of Counseling Studies and Ministry and Director of the Companion LeShalom Centre. She has experience with the Ignatius' spiritual tradition and the Pilgrimage in Loyola, Spain.
Her work integrates psychology, Christian counselling, and spiritual formation, and she has extensive experience in areas such as emotional regulation, trauma, family therapy, and spiritual accompaniment.
Programme
08:45 Coffee
09.05 Introduction by Terese Bue Kessel
09:15–10:00 Dr. Angel Lam: “Defences, Human Nature and Spiritual Awakening: A Christian Counselling Perspective.”
Dr. Lam’s presentation explores how human defences function biologically, psychologically, and morally, and how Christian spirituality also shapes self protection and ethical response. While counselling has addressed physical and psychological dimensions extensively, the spiritual dimension remains underdeveloped. Drawing on biblical understandings of human nature, Dr. Lam argues that spirituality can deepen insight into human defences and introduces the concept of spiritual defence as a lens for understanding spiritual awakening and change.
- Response by Professor Marta Høyland Lavik, researcher and hospital chaplain at the University of Stavanger and the Stavanger University Hospital.
- Conversation and discussion
10:15–11:00 Dr. Lam: Presentation of the ministry of the Christian Counselling Centre at LTS and how it supports the church’s caring ministry in Hong Kong.
11:05 Chapel time
11:15 Lunch
The seminar is open, but if you would like to join us for lunch, please register by sending an email to terese.kessel@vid.no