Florence Juma
Associate Professional Faculty
I received my PhD in Church Dogma & History from the University of Northwest in Potchefstroom, South Africa, and my Master of Divinity degree from Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya. I also have a master's degree in Education (Policy Studies) from Western University (a.k.a. University of Western Ontario), London, Ontario.
Prior to joining Martin Luther University College (formerly Waterloo Lutheran Seminary), I was a research assistant at Western University. The research focused on data analysis to map significant policies of the colonial education system in Trinidad and Tobago. This project was sponsored by the World Bank.
I am a registered psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and a certified educator-supervisor with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC).
I journal in my spare time, and have authored three memoirs, one work of fiction and two children’s books. The books are listed in detail on my personal website florencejuma.com
Please feel free to check out my Meet the Prof @LutherWaterloo video.
The main focus of my current research is spiritually attuned therapy for individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness. I most recently contributed a chapter on this topic in a book published by the Canadian Multifaith Federation. It has been documented that spiritual resources may have positive effects on mental health and general well-being. People living with severe and persistent mental illness utilize their spiritual resources for comfort and to foster their recovery process. I focus on individuals who have been, or are currently, admitted in health institutions for specialized treatment.
Research / Areas of Expertise
- The interplay of spirituality and the aging process: spiritual support during the challenges of late-adult years
- Psycho-spiritual therapy: Assessments and interventions
- Logotherapy: Integrating faith and sacred texts in the search for meaning
- A well-written proposal for a spiritually integrated therapy group for the specialized mental health program (2010).
- Distinction, diploma in Bible and Theology (1983).
I supervise clinical pastoral education students in clinical settings. I also supervise pastoral counselling students assigned for practicum in mental health units.
- Juma, Florence. "Recapturing the Oral Tradition of Storytelling in Spiritual Conversations with Older Adults: An Afro-Indigenous Approach." Religions. 2022; 13(6):563. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13060563
- Juma, Florence. “The interplay of spirituality and the aging process” (Unpublished paper presented at a Gerontology Interest Group workshop) 2014.
- Juma, Florence. “Healing Through Song and Stories: An African Approach” (Unpublished paper presented at the Alternative Healing Conference) 2014.
- Juma, F. A. and Vorster, J. M. “Factors That Influenced the Growth of the Assemblies of God Church in Kenya: An Analysis of Multi-paradigms.” Studia Historia Ecclesiasticae (Journal of the Church History Society of Southern Africa) 2003.
- Juma, F.A. & Vorster, J.M. Kung’s theory of paradigm shifts in church history: An evaluation. Studia Historia Ecclesiasticae (Journal of the Church History Society of Southern Africa) 1998.