James N. Sells

James (Jim) N. Sells, PhD, is a Hughes Endowed Chair of Christian Thought in Mental Health Practice, a licensed psychologist, and a professor of counseling at Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia. He codirects the Charis Institute, which is a research, training, and resource center for all things related to the church, marriage, family, and mental health.

He received his BA from Biola University and has master's degrees from Wheaton College and NIU. His PhD is in counseling psychology from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Sells takes great delight in preparing churches that seek to have impact on their community by addressing the needs of individuals, couples, and families. He consults and advises pastors and ministry leaders in increasing effectiveness, and he teaches graduates how to become effective therapists and visionary leaders in Christian mental health.

He is the author/coauthor of many books, including Family Therapies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal, Counseling Couples in Conflict: A Relational Restoration Model, Beyond the Clinical Hour: How Counselors Can Partner with the Church to Address the Mental Health Crisis, and Ministering to Families in Crisis: The Essential Guide for Nurturing Mental and Emotional Health. His research focuses on creating effective care ministries, marital restoration and family therapy, and forgiveness and reconciliation.

Jim is married to Heather, and they live in the Tidewater area of Virginia and North Carolina. Their three children are adults and are responding to God's call on their lives, forming their purpose, and creating their families. Jim loves trying to fix things that don't work well, whether that's relationships, houses, cars, or squeaky doors.