Joshua Knabb, PsyD, ABPP

Joshua J. Knabb, PsyD, ABPP, is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist with the American Board of Professional Psychology and Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology, specializing in individual and couples therapy. Residing in Southern California with his wife and two children, Dr. Knabb is a Tenured Professor of Psychology at California Baptist University (CBU), serving as the Associate Dean for the Psychology Division and Director of the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology Program in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. In addition to his work as an educator and psychotherapist, Dr. Knabb is the Editor for the Journal of Psychology and Christianity, and his writings and research have been published in a wide variety of academic journals, textbooks, and workbooks over the last decade. His research interests include marriage and the family, psychological assessment, attachment theory, transdiagnostic constructs and interventions, mindfulness-based therapies, the psychology of religion and spirituality, Christian meditative and contemplative practices, and cultural diversity. Finally, Dr. Knabb is a licensed minister, serving at the Woodcrest Campus of Sandals Church in Riverside, California.

Board Certified in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

Fellow, American Academy of Clinical Psychology (AACP)

Core Skills Advanced Training, International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

Licensed Psychologist, State of California (License Number PSY 24736)

Pre-Doctoral Internship, Philhaven Hospital (APA-Accredited)

PSY 320 Life-Span Development
PSY 325 Tests and Measurements
PSY 346 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 422 Theories of Counseling
PSY 473 Psychophysiology
PSY 505 MFT Counseling Theory
PSY 505 Human Growth and Development
PSY 520 Human Communication in Group Process
PSY 530 Advanced Research Methodology
PSY 535 Advanced Psychopathology
PSY 543 Evaluation and Treatment of Compulsive Disorders
PSY 545 MFT Counseling: Child/Adolescent
PSY 560 Professional Ethics and Law
PSY 590 Christian Perspectives on Professional Counseling
PSY 700 Theories of Psychotherapy
PSY 704 Statistics in Psychology
PSY 713 Law and Ethics in Clinical Psychology
PSY 714 Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 723 Psychometrics
PSY 725 History of Psychological Science
PSY 751 Research Team I
PSY 752 Research Team II
PSY 753 Research Team III
PSY 761 Psychology and Christianity I: Theology
PSY 762 Psychology and Christianity II: Worldview, Ontology, and Epistemology
PSY 770 Practicum IV: Evidence-Based Practice
PSY 771 Intervention I: Psychodynamic Approaches to Treatment
PSY 773 Intervention III: Couples Approaches to Treatment
PSY 781 Dissertation I
PSY 782 Dissertation II
PSY 783 Dissertation III
PSY 784 Dissertation IV

Clinical psychology; psychological assessment; scale development; marriage and the family; psychology of religion and spirituality; mindfulness-based therapies; transdiagnostic constructs and interventions; attachment theory; Christian meditation, prayer, and contemplation; the spiritual disciplines

Teaching Assistant in the Department of Graduate Psychology at Azusa Pacific University

Peer-Reviewed Books/Book Chapters:

Knabb, J. (in press). Worship and awe in Christian psychology: How centering God transforms mental and spiritual health. Baker Academic.

Vazquez, V., Knabb, J., Lee-Johnson, C., & Hays, K. (2023). Healing conversations on race: Four key practices from Scripture and psychology. InterVarsity Press.

Knabb, J. (2022). Acceptance and commitment therapy for Christian clients: A faith-based workbook (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Knabb, J. (2022). Faith-based ACT for Christian clients: An integrative treatment approach (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Knabb, J. (2021). Christian meditation in clinical practice: A four-step model and workbook for therapists and clients. InterVarsity Press.

Sisemore, T., & Knabb, J. (Eds.). (2020). The psychology of world religions and spiritualities: An indigenous perspective. Templeton Press.

Knabb, J., Johnson, E., Bates, T., & Sisemore, T. (2019). Christian psychotherapy in context: Theoretical and empirical explorations in faith-based mental health. Routledge.

Knabb, J. (2018). The compassion-based workbook for Christian clients: Finding freedom from shame and negative self-judgments. Routledge.

Knabb, J., & Frederick, T. (2017). Contemplative prayer for Christians with chronic worry: An eight-week program. Routledge.

Knabb, J. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy for Christian clients: A faith-based workbook. Routledge.

Knabb, J. (2016). Faith-based ACT for Christian clients: An integrative treatment approach. Routledge.

Knabb, J., & Meador, K. (2016). A theological lens for integrating ACT with conceptions of health, healing, and human flourishing. In J. Nieuwsma, R. Walser, & S. Hayes (Eds.), ACT for clergy and pastoral counselors: Using acceptance and commitment therapy to bridge psychological and spiritual care (pp. 19-40). New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Selected Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:

Knabb, J., & Vazquez, V. (2025). Decentering mindfulness: Toward greater meditative diversity in global public health. Mindfulness, 16, 647-654.

Knabb, J., Wang, K., Lewis Hall, M., & Vazquez, V. (2025). The Christian Worldview Scale: An emic measure for assessing a comprehensive view of life within the Christian tradition. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 12, 1-19.

Knabb, J., DiFonzo, N., & Garzon, F. (2024). Emic Christian worldview psychologies: Theoretical and empirical contributions. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 43, 108-121.

Knabb, J., & Donavan, T. (2024). The relationship between Christian worldview, well-being, and psychopathology: A mediation study. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 43, 122-134.

Vazquez, V., Knabb, J., Lima, A., Manhas, A., Soto Santana, D., Senger, S., & Sweet, K. (2024). Lectio divina for race-based traumatic stress among Black Christians. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 43, 170-188.

Vazquez, V., & Knabb, J. (2023). Special issue introduction: “One in Christ Jesus”: Racial disunity and the need for integrative programs to improve racial unity among Christian populations. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 42, 72-78.

Vazquez, V., Knabb, J., Lee-Johnson, C., & Hays, K. (2023). Healing conversations on race: The HEAL model for diverse Christian communities. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 42, 79-96.

Knabb, J., Boyd, H., Duvall, K., & Lowell, J. (2023). The relationship between God attachment, transdiagnostic processes, and symptoms of psychopathology among Christian adults. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 51, 296-315.

Knabb, J., Vazquez, V., Pate, R., & Wang, K. (2023). The Christian Gratitude Scale: An emic approach to measuring thankfulness in every season of life. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 10, 304-315.

Knabb, J., Vazquez, V., Pate, R., Wang, K., Lowell, J., De Leeuw, T., Dominguez, A., Duvall, K., Esperante, J., Gonzalez, Y., Nagel, G., Novasel, C., Pelaez, A., Strickland, S., & Park, J. (2022). Lectio divina for trauma symptoms: A two-part study. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 9, 232-252.

Knabb, J., Vazquez, V., Pate, R., Garzon, F., Wang, K., Edison-Riley, D., Slick, A., Smith, R., & Weber, S. (2022). Christian meditation for trauma-based rumination: A two-part study examining the effects of an internet-based four-week program. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 9, 253-271.

Knabb, J., & Wang, K. (2021). The Communion with God Scale: Shifting from an etic to emic perspective to assess fellowshipping with the Triune God. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 13, 67-80.

Knabb, J., Vazquez, V., & Wang, K. (2021). The Christian Contentment Scale: An emic measure for assessing inner satisfaction within the Christian tradition. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 49, 324-341.

Knabb, J., Pate, R., Sullivan, S., Salley, E., Miller, A., & Boyer, W. (2020). “Walking with God”: Developing and pilot testing a manualized four-week program combining Christian meditation and light-to-moderate physical activity for daily stress. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 23, 756-776.

Knabb, J., Johnson, E., & Garzon, F. (2020). Introduction to the special issue: Meditation, prayer, and contemplation in the Christian tradition: Towards the operationalization and clinical application of Christian practices in psychotherapy and counseling. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 39, 5-11.

Knabb, J., & Bates, M. (2020). “Holy desire” within the “Cloud of Unknowing”: The psychological contributions of medieval apophatic contemplation to Christian mental health in the 21st century. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 39, 24-39.

Johnson, E., Knabb, J., & Garzon, F. (2020). Conclusion to the special issue: Formalizing Christian indigenous practices for evidence-based research. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 39, 75-85.

Knabb, J., Vazquez, V., Garzon, F., Ford, K., Wang, K., Conner, K., Warren, S., & Weston, D. (2020). Christian meditation for repetitive negative thinking: A multi-site randomized trial examining the effects of a four-week preventative program. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 7, 34-50.

Knabb, J., Vazquez, V., & Pate, R. (2019). ‘Set your minds on things above’: Shifting from trauma-based ruminations to ruminating on God. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 22, 384-399.

Knabb, J., Vazquez, V., Wang, K., & Bates, T. (2018). 'Unknowing' in the 21st century: Humble detachment for Christians with repetitive negative thinking. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 5, 170-187.

Knabb, J., & Vazquez, V. (2018). A randomized controlled trial of a two-week Internet-based contemplative prayer program for Christians with daily stress. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 5, 37-53.

Knabb, J., Frederick, T., & Cumming, G. (2017). Surrendering to God’s providence: A three-part study on providence-focused therapy for recurrent worry (PFT-RW). Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 9, 180-196.

Knabb, J., & Pelletier, J. (2014). 'A cord of three strands is not easily broken': An empirical investigation of attachment-based small group functioning in the Christian church. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 42, 343-358.

Knabb, J. (2014). A preliminary investigation of the relationship between religion and marital adjustment among Christian adults from a conservative denomination. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 33, 263-276.

Knabb, J., Pelletier, J., & Grigorian-Routon, A. (2014). Towards a psychological understanding of servanthood: An empirical investigation of the relationship between orthodox beliefs, experiential avoidance, and self-sacrificial behaviors among Christians at a religiously-affiliated university. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 42, 269-283.

Knabb, J., & Grigorian-Routon, A. (2014). The role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between faith maturity, religious coping, and psychological adjustment among Christian university students. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 17, 458-469.

Knabb, J., & Pelletier, J. (2014). The relationship between problematic Internet use, psychological functioning, and God attachment among adults at a Christian university. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 17, 239-251.

Knabb, J., & Emerson, M. (2013). ‘I will be your God and you will be my people’: Attachment theory and the grand narrative of scripture. Pastoral Psychology, 62, 827-841.

Knabb, J., & Pelletier, J. (2013). The effects of parental divorce on God image among young adults at a Christian university. Marriage & Family Review, 49, 231-250.

Knabb, J., Welsh, R., & Alexander, P. (2012). Towards an integrated view of the necessity of human interdependence: Perspectives from theology, philosophy, and psychology. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 14, 166-180.

Knabb, J., Vogt, R., Gibbel, M., & Brickley, D. (2012). An empirical investigation of the relationship between clinical personality patterns and marital functioning. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 1, 66-77.

Knabb, J., & Vogt, R. (2011). The relationship between personality and marital satisfaction among distressed married couples seen in intensive marital therapy: An actor-partner interdependence model analysis. Contemporary Family Therapy, 33, 417-440.

Knabb, J., Vogt, R., & Newgren, K. (2011). MMPI-2 characteristics of the Old Order Amish: A comparison of clinical, nonclinical, and United States normative samples. Psychological Assessment, 23, 865-875.

Knabb, J., & Vogt, R. (2011). Assessing Old Order Amish outpatients with the MCMI-III. Journal of Personality Assessment, 93, 290-299.

Knabb, J., Vogt, R., Brickley, D., & Newgren, K. (2011). Personality typologies for conservative Christians in intensive marital therapy. Marriage & Family Review, 47, 23-44.

Knabb, J., Brokaw, D., Reimer, K., & Welsh, R. (2009). Retrospective meaning-making in adulthood: A qualitative study of conservative Protestant adults who experienced parental divorce as adolescents. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 28, 44-56.

Member and minister at Sandals Church Woodcrest in Riverside, California

Check out my personal website at joshuaknabb.com
Check out my weekly podcast at https://the-christian-psychologist-mental-health-for-21st-century-c.simplecast.com
Editor, Journal of Psychology and Christianity (2020-Present)
Editorial Board, Journal of Psychology and Theology (2017-Present)
Member-at-Large, Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) Executive Committee for the American Psychological Association (APA) (2021-2024)
Program Chair, Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) for the American Psychological Association's (APA) Annual Convention (2019-2020)
Licensed Minister, Sandals Church

Hobbies include spending time with my wife and children, writing, running, and watching documentaries

"If anyone proved to me that Christ was not the truth, and it really was a fact that the truth was not in Christ, I would rather be with Christ than with the truth." Fyodor Dostoyevsky

"And I saw a river over which every soul must pass to reach the kingdom of heaven and the name of the river was 'suffering.' And then I saw a boat which carries souls across the river and the name of that boat was 'love.'" John of the Cross