Jan Holton

Associate Professor of the Practice of Pastoral Theology and Care

Office

309 Gray

Degrees

  • B.A., Randolph Macon College
  • M.Div., Union Presbyterian Seminary 
  • Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

Professor Holton’s work focuses on the psychodynamic implications of trauma and forced displacement, the intercultural dynamics within traditional pastoral care, and pastoral care to marginalized populations. In addition to teaching she served in ministry with Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) in New Haven, Conn. and is author of Building the Resilient Community: Lessons from the Lost Boys of Sudan (Cascade Press). In her book Longing for Home (Yale University Press), Dr. Holton examines the psychological, social, and theological impact of forced displacement on communities in the eastern Congo (DRC), South Sudan, on indigenous Batwa tribespersons in Uganda as well as on homeless U.S. citizens and on U.S. soldiers returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. She is co-editor of the book Reframing Trauma: A Psychospiritual Theory and Theology (Fortress, 2025). Her current work focuses on spiritual and emotional wayfinding through times of uncertainty. Here she explores the role of hope, joy, and meaning making as touchstones to guide us through the messy tangled times of ambiguity when there is no longer a way to “chart a course” ahead. Dr. Holton is co-principal investigator for the joint Bass Connections and Duke Divinity School project "Best Practices for Trauma Informed Teaching and Learning." Dr. Holton also serves as a consulting chaplain at Duke University Hospital. She is an ordained elder in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

News and Stories

Devoted Team of “Trauma Champions” Envisions Changes to the University Classroom Link opens in new tab

Professors Jan Holton and Warren Kinghorn lead a Bass Connections project that explores the ways that trauma impacts students’ experiences in higher education. 

Recent Courses on Scholars@Duke

  • PASTCARE 999: Directed Study More info
  • PASTCARE 866: Ministry and Care in the Contexts of Displacement and Loss More info
  • PASTCARE 860: Advanced Pastoral Care for Chaplaincy More info
  • PASTCARE 778: Death, Dying, and Bereavement More info
  • PASTCARE 766: Ministry and Care in the Contexts of Displacement and Loss More info
  • PASTCARE 765: Pastoral Care through Anxiety and Depression More info
  • PASTCARE 760: Introduction to Pastoral Theology and Care More info
  • EHD 796T: Bass Connections Education & Human Development Research Team More info
  • EHD 795T: Bass Connections Education & Human Development Research Team More info
  • EHD 396T: Bass Connections Education & Human Development Research Team More info
  • EHD 395T: Bass Connections Education & Human Development Research Team More info
  • CONTDIV 500: Divinity Course Continuation More info