In Person
Pathways to Innovation Conference

The Science of Faith: Innovating Mental and Physical Wellness

Terri Ward, MS, FNTP, CGP
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Pricing

Information

Date & Time

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify three physiological mechanisms through which faith-based practices enhance mental health and describe their innovative applications in therapeutic settings.

  • Analyze how combining faith-based and science-based interventions leverages neuroplasticity to rewire the brain, improving emotional regulation and stress resilience in therapy.

  • Examine the innovative link between faith, stress reduction, inflammation, and the gut-brain axis, identifying practical strategies to improve mental well-being in therapy.

  • Integrate faith-based interventions (e.g., prayer, gratitude, fasting) into behavioral therapy, demonstrating ethical and innovative implementation strategies.

Educational Goal

To explore the science-faith intersection for enhancing mental and physical health, providing therapists with a new perspective for client wellness discussions.

Description

This presentation explores the transformative role of faith, spirituality, and belief—including placebo and nocebo effects—in mental and physical health. Attendees will learn how faith-based practices like prayer, gratitude, and fasting, backed by science, shape neuroplasticity, regulate stress, and influence the gut-brain axis. Through research-backed insights, discover physiological mechanisms linking faith to resilience, reduced inflammation, and emotional well-being. Therapists will gain innovative, evidence-based strategies to ethically integrate spiritual practices into treatment, fostering holistic care while respecting patient/client autonomy. This session equips clinicians with actionable tools to enhance client wellness through a pioneering faith-informed perspective.

Target Audience

  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker
  • Substance Use Disorder Professionals

Presenters

Terri Ward, MS, FNTP, CGP
Terri Ward, MS, FNTP, CGP is a functional nutritionist, writer, and speaker specializing in gut health and the mind-body-spirit connection. She holds a Master of Science in Human Nutrition & Functional Medicine from the University of Western States and is a Certified Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP).

As a contributor to The Epoch Times, she writes evidence-based health guides examining the role of diet, lifestyle, and mindset in disease development, along with natural and complementary approaches to wellness. Terri also provides personalized nutrition consulting through her private practice, with a focus on gut health, inflammation reduction, and stress management.

She takes a functional approach to identifying root causes of health challenges, working in collaboration with other professionals to support clients' overall well-being. Her work complements behavioral therapy by offering an evidence-based perspective on how nutrition, gut health, and lifestyle factors influence emotional resilience and mental well-being.