Holly Oxhandler Discusses “The Soul of the Helper”

In The Soul of the Helper, Oxhandler shows caregivers and fellow helpers a more self-compassionate way to cope with their overwhelming responsibilities and to attend to their own needs, particularly when it comes to their mental health and spiritual journey. She invites them to pause and realize that if they let their personal resources run dry, they cannot possibly care for others as fully as they wish. Dr. Oxhandler teaches helpers a seven-step process to slow down and reconnect with the stillness within themselves.

Oxhandler is the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and an Associate Professor at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. She studies religion/spirituality, health and mental health, and is especially interested in whether and how mental and behavioral health therapists discuss their client’s religious/spiritual beliefs in treatment. She developed the Religious/Spiritualty Integrated Practice Assessment Scale in addition to other instruments to measure the integration of clients’ religion/spiritualty in mental health treatment, has written for numerous academic journals, and her research has been featured in the Washington Post, Consumer Affairs, Religion News Service, Business Standard, Baptist News Global, and more. She also co-hosts the weekly podcast, CXMH: Christianity and Mental Health.