Member Hcottrell2(He/Him)

As a seminarian at The General Theological Seminary in New York City, preparing for ordination in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition, and as a licensed social worker and trauma-informed therapist, my personal library serves not only as a collection of books but as a living archive of my vocational journey, intellectual formation, and spiritual grounding.

At the heart of my library is an unmistakable focus on Religion (2XX)—which comprises nearly 70% of my entire collection. This reflects both the depth and breadth of my theological interests and vocational call. Within this category, the most prominent themes are Christian practice and observance (24X), biblical studies (22X), and Christian theology (23X), followed closely by resources in pastoral care (25X), liturgical worship and ecclesial organization (26X), and church history and denominations (27X, 28X). I have intentionally curated a robust collection of Anglican liturgical texts, lectionary preaching resources, ceremonial guides, and theological commentaries, which support my ongoing formation in sacramental theology, homiletics, and the pastoral rites of the Church.

Books such as Feasting on the Word, The New Interpreter’s Bible, Ceremonies of the Eucharist, and Praying Shapes Believing anchor my studies and practice. Authors like Barbara Brown Taylor, Thomas Merton, Paul Tillich, bell hooks, and Jürgen Moltmann offer voices that expand theology into lived experience, social justice, and mystical depth. This collection reflects my deep engagement with spiritual direction, ecclesiology, liberation and feminist theology, and Christian ethics.

The second largest portion of my library falls under the Social Sciences (3XX) at nearly 10%, which aligns with my work as a trauma-informed therapist and clinical social worker. The most heavily represented subfields are social problems and services (36X) and sociology/anthropology (30X), which include texts on systemic oppression, social justice, community healing, and human development. These selections support both my clinical work and my theological reflection on justice, dignity, and healing within communities. Books in political science, law, public administration, and education round out this category, highlighting my interest in how faith intersects with structures of power and care.

My library also contains a thoughtful section on Philosophy & Psychology (1XX), representing 4.5% of my collection. Within this, the dominant themes are psychology (15X) and ethics (17X), which directly serve my dual roles as a therapist and a theologian. Here, I explore concepts such as moral reasoning, emotional regulation, spiritual trauma, and the formation of identity. There are also works in modern Western philosophy (19X) and ancient philosophy, which ground contemporary thinking in classical traditions and offer bridges between theology and existential thought. My selections reflect a commitment to integrating Jungian psychology, moral philosophy, and therapeutic ethics into pastoral care and spiritual formation.

Though smaller in percentage, Technology (6XX) is represented at 6.6%, with emphasis on applied and professional disciplines—especially those supporting pastoral care, healing modalities, and wellness-oriented ministry. These texts are likely categorized here due to their focus on caregiving practices, medical ethics, and therapeutic intervention strategies.

Other categories contribute to the overall richness of the collection:

History & Geography (9XX) and Literature (8XX), totaling roughly 6.6% combined, include personal favorites like Mary Oliver’s poetry, Maya Angelou’s memoirs, and historical works from Cokie Roberts and Howard Zinn, as well as books on church history, Quaker spirituality, and progressive social movements.

Language (4XX) includes tools for studying biblical languages and linguistics, albeit in a modest quantity (1.4%), reflecting an area I may expand as I deepen my scriptural engagement in Greek or Hebrew.

Arts & Recreation (7XX) and Science (5XX) make up a very small fraction of the library but may include liturgical arts, creative worship, or resources on ecotheology and spiritual cosmology.

General Works (0XX) is represented only symbolically, likely through reference materials or indexes.

🔎 What My Library Reveals

This library is both pastoral and prophetic, grounded in the rhythms of Episcopal liturgy and theological study, while also oriented toward social transformation and holistic care. It is academic but not sterile—deeply rooted in practice, ritual, story, and the healing arts. It supports the sacramental life of the Church, the inner life of the soul, and the outer work of justice.

My collection mirrors who I am becoming: a priest in formation, a therapist with a trauma-informed lens, a contemplative engaged in the world, and a scholar-practitioner seeking to weave together spirit, mind, and body in the service of healing and hope.

Harvey Cottrell is the founder of Serenity Integrative Psychotherapy, where he leads with a passion for holistic healing, creativity, and spiritual integration. He is a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and Florida, with a deep commitment to integrative mental health practices and social justice.

Harvey holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work with Children and Families from Monmouth University, as well as a Master’s degree in Child Advocacy and Policy and a post-graduate certificate in Adolescent Advocacy from Montclair State University.

Currently, Harvey is ABD (All But Dissertation) in his Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work at Saybrook University’s College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences. His dissertation application and proposal have been submitted and approved, and his dissertation chair and committee have been selected. His research centers on the levels of forgiveness in individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and have experienced rejection from their faith communities but have later reintegrated into a spiritual framework. The study aims to explore whether such reintegration correlates with a greater capacity for compassion and forgiveness.

In August 2025, Harvey began his Master of Divinity (MDiv) studies at The General Theological Seminary in New York City, discerning a call to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. As part of his seminary formation, he has been placed at Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, New Jersey, for a two-year contextual learning internship. His placement offers a sacred opportunity for Harvey to grow in pastoral care, liturgical leadership, theological reflection, and shared ministry within a vibrant parish community that includes both English- and Spanish-speaking congregations.

Harvey’s therapeutic approach integrates narrative therapy, existential theory, and humanistic psychology. At the heart of both his clinical and pastoral identity is the sacred work of embodiment and reintegration, guiding people back to their bodies, their stories, and their belovedness.

His ministry seeks to bridge the space between altar and therapy room, between silence and proclamation, between presence and witness. He brings with him a heart attuned to suffering and a life committed to healing, justice, and renewal.

In recognition of his enduring dedication to advocacy and social justice, Harvey received the Hero Award from Legal Services of New Jersey and the Human Rights and Social Justice Award from Monmouth University School of Social Work, both in 2019.