May 28, 2025

The Role of Spirituality in Brain Health with Christine Turo-Shields, LCSW, LCAC

The Role of Spirituality in Brain Health with Christine Turo-Shields, LCSW, LCAC

In this episode of the Let's Talk Brain Health! podcast from the Virtual Brain Health Center, we explore how spiritual health supports brain health with guest Christine Turo-Shields. Christine, a licensed clinical social worker and addictions counselor, shares how she integrates spirituality into trauma care and highlights the role of spiritual practices in healing and building resilience.

Discover the profound connection between spirituality and brain health as Christine shares her insights on the importance of integrating faith and spirituality into mental well-being, especially for trauma survivors.

Gain valuable strategies for nurturing spiritual health, including meditation, prayer, and mindfulness practices.

Explore how these practices can lead to emotional resilience and cognitive wellness.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation and practical tips to enhance your brain health journey.

00:45 Meet Christine Turo Shields

02:32 Blending Spirituality with Clinical Practice

04:18 Defining Spiritual Health

07:05 Research on Spiritual Health and Brain Health

15:01 Practical Strategies for Spiritual Health

21:28 The Power of Spiritual Health & Healing

24:58 Final Thoughts and Resources

34:53 Conclusion

Resources:

Christine Turo-Shields Profile Photo

Christine Turo-Shields

Owner, Kenosis Counseling/MH Therapist/Author/Presenter

Christine Turo-Shields, LCSW, LCAC owns & operates Kenosis Counseling Center, Inc., which is a community-based private practice in the Indianapolis community. With 30+ years of professional experience treating trauma, she blends faith and spirituality into her clinical practice, especially with those experiencing trauma in order to come to a place of healing and recovery as the brain wrestles with making sense of what seems senseless, and strives to comprehend that which seems incomprehensible.

Her specialties in trauma work are vast and varied, including work with individuals struggling with suicidality and suicide grief and loss as well as depression, anxiety/panic and addictions. She is certified in EMDR, which is a highly effective trauma therapy. She is an Indiana State Board Member for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). She is a founding team member and co-creator of the You Are Not Alone retreat, which is a faith-based retreat experience for survivors of suicide loss. Additionally, she is a nationally trained provider for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and is a member of NCMEC’s Family Advocacy Outreach Network, providing therapeutic services and support to local families with missing and exploited children to address family trauma, reunification and adjustment. She is also a trained clinician working w/those who suffer with postpartum mood disorders, she has been a trainer for Postpartum Support International regarding EMDR therapy for those who have experienced birth trauma and/or have a history o… Read More