Dr. Mark Heinrich diligently cultivatesthe field of psychology. Besides histeaching and administrative duties, theprofessor and department chair blends thework of two groundbreaking practitioners inhis scholarship and classroom instruction.A certified specialist in Choice Theory,which was developed by noted psychologistWilliam Glasser, Heinrich maintains thatalmost all human behavior is rooted in how aperson chooses to think, act or react.Interestingly, the associate provost and23-year C-N professor is also the biographerof the late R. Lofton Hudson, who is consideredthe father of pastoral counseling, havingestablished the first independent Christiancounseling center in the United States.Though Glasser’s and Hudson’sphilosophical approaches may seem mutuallyexclusive to some, Heinrich considers themboth as treasured colleagues. “I really seeDr. Glasser as one of the pillars in the area ofcounseling theories and techniques,”champions Heinrich, who creditsHudson with integrating “biblicaltruths along with accepted mainstreamtheories.”“With Dr. Hudson,” summarizesHeinrich, “you get the bestof both worlds.”In fact, Heinrich demonstratedparallels between Hudson’sconcepts of redemption-based recovery andChoice Theory as part of his certificationprocess in the Glasser program last year.Twenty-five years into a highly successfulcareer as a pastor, Hudson founded MidwestChristian Counseling Center in Kansas City,Missouri, in 1957. While leading WornallR. Lofton HudsonRoad Baptist Church there, he taught thefirst pastoral counseling classes atCentral Baptist Theological Seminaryfrom 1950 to 1954, and was featured inLIFE magazine in 1956 as a leader inthe emerging field.“He was certainly one of thetrailblazers of pastoral counseling,”says Heinrich, who explains thatHudson was a visionary andrecognized that Christians had a need forcounselors capable of incorporating spiritualcomponents with scientific research. “Thoughhis work was groundbreaking 50 years ago, Iconsider it to be just as cutting edge today.”Heinrich acknowledges that although awealth of psychological theories focus onaddressing a wide range of emotional andadjustment issues, very few incorporate7
spiritual elements with mental health.Therefore, Heinrich sees the opportunity topreserve Hudson’s life and work as a privilege,but also as an important responsibility.“I see this as an opportunity to recognizeand champion the spiritual factor whendealing with adjustment problems,” observesHeinrich. “There is a terrific need to integratespirituality in a healthy way when dealing withsuch mental issues.”The Wisconsin native is particularlypleased that he was able to get to knowHudson from visits he had with the pastorcounselor.The rapport the two men builtled to Hudson’s decision, some 15 years ago,to leave his library and papers to <strong>Carson</strong>-<strong>Newman</strong>. “There was so much materialthey literally delivered it in a tractor-trailer,”says Heinrich. The material, consisting ofmore than 4,000 books, as well as sermons,speeches and personal items, compose theR. Lofton Hudson Collection housed inStephens-Burnett Library.In the early 90s Heinrich traveled toNebraska to visit the renowned practitioner.“We communicated a lot through the years,”says Heinrich, adding that he still stays incontact with his daughter, Pat Hudson, whohas endorsed his efforts to chronicle herfather’s life. He began the work shortly afterHudson’s death last year. He says thatalthough he misses Hudson, it is not difficultto write about him. “This man lived what hetaught,” concludes Heinrich. “He didn’t do allthis work for his glory, it was just who he was.”Though he admits that he sometimesfeels over-invested in a number of projects,Heinrich believes it is time well spent.“I really believe the work of both Dr. Glasserand Dr. Hudson will stand the test of|time,” says Heinrich. “Their theories andapproaches offer viable methods in addressingthe kinds of problems we all encounter.”A Matter of ChoiceWhen they first met more than 20 yearsago, Mark Heinrich had no idea that BruceDavenport would become a close friend andmentor. Though they personally liked oneanother early on, a mutual interest in the theoriesof William Glasser was central to theirprofessional collaboration.Heinrich says he was initially drawn toGlasser’s concepts while a graduate student atTennessee Tech University in the mid-70s.“I began teaching it in the classroom as soonas I arrived at <strong>Carson</strong>-<strong>Newman</strong> in 1980,”remembers Heinrich. “I taught RealityTherapy here, following Dr. Glasser’sdevelopments throughout the early 80s. ThenI began talking some on Choice.”Choice Theory, a concept developed andtrademark-registered by Glasser, is built on afoundation that almost all humanbehavior is chosen, and that peopleare driven to satisfy five basic needs:survival, love and belonging, power,freedom and fun. The theory furtherholds that, since a need for love andbelonging needs closeness and connectedness,humans require satisfyingpersonal relationships. Presented as aphilosophical antidote of sorts to the ideaof controlling someone else’s conduct,Choice Theory seeks to replace behaviorslike criticism, blame and threats with listening,acceptance and encouragement.“For me, it started in 1980 when I was aresidence director of New Men’s (nowHeritage Hall),” remembers Davenport, whowas studying Glasser while working on hismaster’s degree at UT. Getting young adults toconsider the implications of making good andbad choices helped Davenport promoterespect for others. “Dealing with 450 malecollege students, I found his theories veryhelpful in helping them self evaluate theirbehavior.”Having earned his certification in ChoiceTheory several years ago, Davenport, aJefferson County High School guidance counselorwho meets with Glasser a couple of timesper year, served as Heinrich’s mentor duringthe psychology professor’s qualificationprocess. “It sounds so simple and so logical,”says Heinrich of the Glasser methodology.“But it can actually be a very difficult conceptto grasp.”The difficulty, the pair say, is becausemost people have been conditioned in a “noand don’t” world. “Many of the problemsschool systems have now are rooted in angerand violence, and they seem to escalate everyyear,” declares Heinrich. “The Glasserapproach tries to help students understandthat there are other options rather than pushingback and fighting.”Many schools across the country areexploring and beginning to practice ChoiceTheory. Once a school meets specified criteria,Glasser will personally visit the institution,examine it closely and, if he is satisfied with hisfindings, present it with a “Quality School”charter. Nationally, such chartered schoolsare seeing such an improvement in bothbehavior and test scores that teachers andadministrators in other schools are starting touse the theorist’s model.Dr. Mark Heinrich, right, receives his certification inChoice Theory from Dr. William Glasser as BruceDavenport, ‘79 (left), looks on.Davenport, who also serves as adjunctprofessor in C-N’s graduate program, says thesuccess of Choice Theory is evident in thenumber of Quality School students who wantto attend class even when they should not. “It’sfunny, but one of the biggest problems theseprincipals have is that they often have to standat the front door each morning making surethe kids aren’t sick,” he laughs. “The studentswant to be there because it is a satisfying placethat makes learning fun.”The colleagues have visited QualitySchools from Alabama to Michigan and areusing what they have learned to helpseveral East Tennessee school administratorsinterested in applying Choice Theory. Theyhave led presentations and trained teachers atSevier County High School, Maryville’sHeritage High School, schools in JeffersonCounty, and their latest project, Morristown’sLincoln Heights Middle School.Though he educates others aboutGlasser’s theories professionally, Davenportsays that it has helped him personally becausehe now better understands the work of hisCreator: “I’m able to make better choicesbecause I’ve learned how God created me tofunction.” C N8
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