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In a culture that values availability, productivity, and speed, a strong work ethic is honored and rewarded. Hard work is seen as virtuous, while rest is given little attention. However, Scripture notes the value of rhythmic, intentional rest practices (i.e., Sabbath-keeping) and cultivation of a Sabbath heart. This article explores the value in rest that attends to enjoying, worshipping, and receiving from God outside of the world of performance and productivity. Consideration is given to the ways that both our culture and profession present major barriers to embracing this virtuous rest for mental health professionals. A brief survey of those with training in a mental health field who profess a Judeo-Christian worldview was conducted. Results showed that those who identified themselves as Sabbath-keepers were significantly more satisfied with the amount and quality of their rest than those who did not identify as Sabbath keepers. Future research implications are discussed. "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, New International Version). The concepts of the Protestant work ethic, a selfmade man, and the American Dream are central aspirations in our culture. Hard work is praised, honored, and rewarded within the family, church, and workplace. Achievements and accomplishments, resumes and curriculum vitae, and paychecks and performance bonuses often result in hectic, overly full schedules and an anxious, overwhelmed population. People are more productive (International Labour Organization, 2007) and more driven to accomplish than at any other time in history. While work seems to be a cultural virtue, rest is often discussed as a means to recharge in order to do more work-or sometimes simply as a strategy to avoid burnout-most notably in people-helping profes

The development of spiritual interventions has the potential to enhance the impact of current treatments on outcomes associated with psychological and spiritual functioning. Researchers of grace have posited that, for the Christian, one’s understanding and experience of grace can facilitate personal and interpersonal transformation, resulting in improvements in both spiritual and psychological well-being. This study investigated a grace-focused group intervention aimed at increasing awareness and experience of grace among graduate counselors in training. Results of objective and projective assessments indicated that participants’ experience of grace improved over the course of the intervention. Implications are discussed in light of these findings.

This article describes the spiritual formation training program for counseling students at Richmont Graduate University, an evangelical institution providing Master’s-level instruction for counselors and ministers. This model of spiritual formation has a dual foundation which includes the centrality of love to the Christian life and the importance of attachment to the development of persons. The training is intentionally designed to invite students to pursue a more secure attachment to God, healthier relationships with others, and a more grace-based self-awareness. Integrative and clinical instruction, and experiences that foster establishment of secure attachment are described. Co-curricular efforts in research and student advisement focus on grace and wellness, as well as opportunities for service, and these serve to further contribute to a supportive environment for spiritual formation.

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