About the Author
James Y. Pennington is a licensed professional counselor in Alabama and a retired Army chaplain with two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He holds a Bachelor of Science in History from the University of North Alabama, a Master of Divinity from MidAmerica Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Professional Counseling, a Master of Human Services Counseling in Crisis Response and Trauma from Liberty University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Seminary. He has authored a doctoral dissertation titled Putting the Pieces Together: Narrative Therapy and Theological Reflection and two books: Mosul and Trauma Treatment using Narrative Therapy and Theological Reflection, and his latest book, Refined By Fire, released on August 15, 2026.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Contributor
Pennington, James Y. (2011). Laying Down Our Sorrows. In Nancy B. Kennedy (Ed.), Miracles & Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories from Military Chaplains. Leafwood Publishers
Pennington, James Y. (2025). REBT. In Bill Owenby & Katherine Campbell (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of Mental Health Trainings, Certifications, and Credentials: A Professional's Guide to Becoming a Better Mental Health Practitioner (Vol. 7, pp. 46–48). ONBLLC.
Education
Doctor of Ministry 2010 Concentration: Pastoral Counseling, Dissertation “Narrative Therapy and Theological Reflection.” Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, SC.
Master of Arts 2019 Human Services Counseling in Crisis and Trauma Counseling, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.
Master of Arts 2017 Professional Counseling (60hr), Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.
Master of Divinity 2002 Mid-America Theological Seminary, Cordova, TN.
Bachelor of Science 1990 History (Major), Political Science (Minor), University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
Credentials
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (North Carolina # 22976)
Licensed Professional Counselor (Louisiana # 9892)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Indiana # 39004483A)
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (Kentucky # 282577)
Licensed Professional Counselor-MHSP (Tennessee # 6183)
Licensed Professional Counselor (Alabama # 4360)
National Certified Counselor (# 1023511) July 2019.
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) Primary Certificate, Albert Ellis Institute, November 2012
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) Advanced Certificate, Albert Ellis Institute, June 2021
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) Associate Fellow, Albert Ellis Institute, July 2022
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Certification, Evergreen Certifications
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2 (CCTP-II) Certification, Evergreen Certifications
Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) Certification
Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) Certification
Certified Mood Disorder Professional (CMDP) Certification
Certified Personality Disorder Treatment Provider (C-PD) Certification
Evergreen Certified EMDR Clinician (EMDR-C) Certification
Experience
February 2023-Present, Behavioral Health Therapist, Fast Pace Health, Franklin, TN
March 2021-January 2023, Adult Outpatient Therapist, Riverbend Center for Mental Health, Florence, AL
2004-2021 United States Army. June 2021, retired from active duty as an Army Major (Chaplain).
2018-2021, Community Chaplain, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, Community counseling.
2015-2018, Family Life Chaplain, Fort Rucker, AL, Director of Family Life Counseling Center. Instructor in the Aeromedical Psychology Training Course.
2013-2015, Brigade Chaplain, 10th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Drum, NY. Deployed to Afghanistan for 9 months.
2011-2013, Instructor, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Instructor for Combat Medical Ministry Course, Grief, and Crisis classes.
2008-2011, Hospital Chaplain on the Psychiatric Ward, Washington, D.C., Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
2007-2008, Clinical Pastoral Education Student, Washington, D.C., Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Clinical Pastoral Education (4 Units).
2004-2007, Chaplain, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA. Deployed to Iraq for 12 months.
Military Education
Diploma, Officers Basic Course, US Army Chaplains’ School- Ft. Jackson, SC-2003
Introduction to Basic Military Skills
Principles of Leadership
Staff procedures at the Battalion level
Diploma, Officers Advanced Course, US Army Chaplains’ School- Ft. Jackson, SC-2007
Supervision of Chaplains at the Brigade level
Staff Procedures at Brigade level
Diploma, Officers Advanced Course, US Army Chaplains’ School- Ft. Leavenworth, KS-2011
Quantitative Analysis
Staff procedures at the Division level
Management Techniques
Additional Studies and Training
Instructor Training Course-2011
Faculty Development Course-2011
Compassion Fatigue Educator from Green Cross Academy of Traumatology-2011
Resource Management-2011
Family Advocacy Staff Training-2008
Clinical Pastoral Education (4 Units)-2007
Strong Bonds Marriage Enrichment Training-2005
PREP Marriage Enrichment Training-2005
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training-2005
Professional Memberships
Board Member- National Alliance on Mental Illness-Shoals Chapter-2022-2025
Associate Fellow (REBT), Albert Ellis Institute, July 2022
Other
Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), Army Commendation Medal (5 th award), Army Achievement Medal (6 th award), Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3 rd award), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge