Professor Karen E. Mason is a Professor of Counselling and Psychology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where she is also the Director of the Hamilton Counselling Program. For the last 13 years, Karen has prepared Gordon-Conwell theological students to become licenced mental health counsellors. Her research and practice focus on the topics of suicide prevention in faith communities. She is the author of the widely read “Preventing Suicide: A Handbook for Pastors, Chaplains and Pastoral Counsellors” (IVP). Her forthcoming book “Preaching and Suicide: Teaching and Giving Care with Pulpit Ministry” examines preachers’ central roles in suicide prevention. Prior to her appointment at Gordon-Conwell she managed the Office of Suicide Prevention for the state of Colorado. Karen is an expert in the theory and practice of integrating Christian faith and suicide prevention. She has a huge heart for the work of the church, and we were humbled that she shared her wisdom with us at STCPE 2020 on such an important topic. Karen taught two masterclasses: one on suicide prevention in faith communities and another on the same topic aimed specifically at clergy and ministry workers with special attention to topics such as suicide and preaching.

To hear about what Professor Mason taught  in her 2020 STCPE masterclasses, you can read this article or listen to her interview on the Pastor’s Heart.