About Dr. Saunders

Stephen M. Saunders, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Marquette University and has over 35 years of experience as a clinical psychologist. He served as Director of Clinical Training (DCT) of the doctoral program for 18 years and as Department Chairperson for six years. He taught undergraduate and doctoral courses in psychology. Doctoral courses included clinical interviewing, psychotherapy, research methods, and clinical supervision. He supervised more than 150 doctoral students in clinical work, and mentored 24 students in their dissertation work. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Saunders was involved in psychotherapy research. Research and writing addressed the effectiveness and process of psychotherapy, the therapeutic relationship, treatment seeking, and psychological assessment. 

Married with three adult children and six grandchildren, Dr. Saunders enjoys the outdoors, especially the northwoods of Minnesota, fishing, golfing poorly, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Saunders has a longstanding interest in the relationship between the Christian faith and mental health, authoring several books and numerous articles. He is the author of Martin Luther on Mental Health: Practical Advice for Christians (2023, Concordia Publishing House) and the two-volume set entitled, A Christian Guide to Mental Illness (2016 & 2019, Northwestern Publishing). 

He also founded the Friendship Ministry, a church-based program that trains churches to provide support to members experiencing emotional distress.

Dr. Saunders’ CV can be viewed and downloaded here.  https://tinyurl.com/bdzfby5m