Born and raised in Canada, Dr. David G. Benner’s educational background includes an Honours BA in psychology (McMaster University), an MA and Ph.D. in clinical psychology (York University), and post-doctoral studies at the Chicago Institute of Psychoanalysis. He has held numerous clinical and academic appointments in North America and abroad.
- North American faculty appointments have included York University, University of Toronto, McMaster University Divinity College, Tyndale College and Seminary, Carey Theological College (University of British Columbia), Redeemer University College, Wheaton College, Richmont Graduate University and the University of Victoria.
- He has also served as visiting lecturer at Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic), The University of Cape Town (South Africa), Rhodes University (South Africa), Northwestern College (USA), National University of Singapore (Singapore), Alliance Seminary (Manila, Philippines), Covenant College (Hong Kong), Comenius University (Bratislava, Slovak Republic), University College (Cardiff, Wales, UK), the Trauma Centre for Victims of Violence and Torture (Cape Town, South Africa), and Tao Fong Shan Centre for Spiritual Formation and Inter-Religious Dialogue (Hong Kong).
- Clinical appointments have included serving as Chief Psychologist at Child and Adolescent Services (Hamilton, Ontario), Senior Psychologist at Queen Street Mental Health Centre (Toronto), Clinical Director for The Institute for Eating Disorders (Carol Stream, Illinois), and Senior Psychologist for the Eating Disorders Unit, Glen Oaks Hospital (Carol Stream, Illinois).
- Consulting appointments have included the Children in War Zones Program of the Centre for International Health (McMaster University), Charter Barclay Hospital (Chicago, Illinois), Canadian Department of National Defence (Toronto), Hershey Medical School (Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania), Glen Oaks Hospital (Glendale Heights, Illinois), The Clinical Theology Association (Oxford, UK), Modum Bad Klinikken Psyckiatrisk (Modum Bad, Norway)
Dr. Benner was the founding Director of the Institute for Psychospiritual Health (Toronto), founding Chair of the Graduate Department of Psychological Studies at Wheaton College (Wheaton, Illinois), Founding Executive Editor of the journal, Conversations, and a founding member (Charter Member) of the International Society for the Study of Multiple Personality Disorder (subsequently, International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation). He has been an Associate Fellow (Psychology and Spirituality) at The Centre for Studies in Religion and Society, University of Victoria (Victoria, British Columbia) and served as Distinguished Author in Residence at the Carey Centre, University of British Columbia. Currently he serves as Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Spirituality at Psychological Studies Institute, Richmont Graduate University (Atlanta, Georgia) and as Consulting Psychologist for GAP Adventures – a global adventure tour company.
David and his wife, Juliet, live on Vancouver Island in Canada where they are both actively involved in the life and leadership of Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, David currently serving as the Rector's Warden. His commitment to justice and good neighbour relationships with First Nations (Aboriginal) individuals and communities is expressed through his on-going participation in an Aboriginal Council established by the Diocese of British Columbia. In 2010 he also had the honour of serving as a delegate to the British Columbia hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada - hearings that focused on the residential schools that were run by the government and churches between 1870 and 1996, and the resulting healing and reconciliation between and within Aboriginal families, communities, churches, governments and all Canadians that is so urgently needed. Beyond his work in these areas, David’s other principal interests are sailing, cycling, jazz, and hiking.
