Christian Family Solutions names Dr. Joshua Mears as Clinical Director of Faith Integration
New role to focus on consistent, evidence-based practices and outcome measures
GERMANTOWN, Wis. – (January 4, 2022) – Christian Family Solutions (CFS) has named Dr. Joshua Mears to the newly created leadership role of Clinical Director of Faith Integration. Dr. Mears will guide the process of defining the appropriate and ethical integration of clinical mental health treatment with Biblical principles, and creating consistent systems to measure outcomes. He will also shape CFS training and professional development for more than 100 counselors and support staff in six states.
In his practice, Dr. Mears has specialized in psychological assessments, child and adolescent behavioral disorders, family conflict, and chemical abuse issues. He received his PsyD in clinical psychology from Argosy University-Twin Cities, his master of arts in counseling psychology from Bethel University, and his undergraduate degree in psychology from Bethany Lutheran College. He completed his doctoral internship at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater, specializing in crisis intervention and aggression reduction interventions. Prior to joining CFS in 2011, Dr. Mears served as an in-home therapist with adolescents and their families. Dr. Mears currently serves on the Board of Regents at Bethany Lutheran College and is a frequent speaker on mental health topics. He most recently served CFS as a senior clinical director, responsible for the clinical supervision of three Minnesota CFS clinics.
“There is a growing interest in the role spirituality plays in mental health and well-being and how it can be properly and consistently integrated with evidence-based treatment,” says CFS CEO Mark Klug. “CFS is committed to defining how quality treatment can be provided with cultural competence from a Christian, biblical point-of-view.”
Since the beginning of 2020, CFS has grown from 142 clinicians and support staff to more than 180. In-person and telehealth sessions in 2019 numbered 30,332 across the agency That number exceeded 37,829 in 2020 and surpassed 50,000 in 2021.
“The increase we have seen in mental health services reflects the increased demand for mental health services as a whole,” says Klug. “We provide excellent care to anyone who calls or walks through our doors. In addition, we have the opportunity to integrate faith-based principles, which for many people is an important aspect of their healing especially when long-term outcomes are considered.”
“We want to document best practices and the outcomes we see in our treatment sessions, so that those who choose CFS for quality mental health treatment with a Christian interface can be confident that we provide excellent outcomes” Klug adds.
Dr. Mears’ work will continue to be based in the CFS Lakeville, Minn. clinic. He is available for presentations on mental health topics from a Christian perspective. Send inquiries to info@wlcfs.org or by calling 800-438-1772.
About Christian Family Solutions
Christian Family Solutions has clinics in Mankato, Lakeville, and Rochester, Minn. Based in Germantown, Wis., CFS provides outpatient counseling, day treatment and intensive outpatient programs through its 50 clinics in 6 states as well as through telehealth. CFS clinicians will integrate its evidence-based methods with Christian faith-based principles according to a client’s wishes and needs.