For most of my career, I’ve been known as a therapist. That’s a role I cherish. I work hard to keep learning, to become more skilled, and to create a space where people feel seen, safe, and respected. The privilege of sitting with people in moments of heartbreak, courage, healing, and hope has shaped me as much as any textbook ever could—in fact, that’s what my last book was about!
Like all of us, I don’t leave my values at the office door. None of us really do. Whether we’re teachers, business owners, mechanics, nurses, artists, parents, or neighbours, the way we live and work is always influenced by something deeper. Our experiences, our convictions, our understanding of what matters most—these quietly shape our decisions every day, whether we’re consciously aware of it or not.
For me, my professional life, my personal life, and my faith are not separate compartments. They are different expressions of the same person. The compassion I hope to offer in the therapy room, the way I try to treat people in everyday life, and the way I understand healing, belonging, forgiveness, and love are deeply rooted in my understanding of Jesus. That isn’t something I want to hide, nor is it something I want to impose on anyone else. It is simply the truest explanation of who I am.
That is why I wrote Wired for Connection: The Jesus Way of Belonging in a Lonely World.
This book is not an attempt to preach at anyone or win an argument. It is my effort to integrate my work as a therapist with the deepest convictions of my life. For years I’ve explored loneliness, belonging, attachment, and relationships through the lens of psychology. In this book, I’ve also invited readers into the theological foundation that has shaped my understanding of those same topics.
Whether you consider yourself a Christian, belong to another faith tradition, are unsure what you believe, or don’t identify with any faith at all, I hope you’ll receive this book in the spirit it was written: as an invitation into a conversation. If you’ve ever wondered why Jesus continues to matter so much to me—or if you’re simply curious about the intersection of psychology, relationships, and faith—I think you’ll find something worth considering.
One of the things that has saddened me in recent years is how often Jesus is associated with attitudes and behaviours that seem profoundly unlike the person described in the Gospels. When I read about his life, I encounter someone marked by humility, compassion, courage, mercy, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity. As both a therapist and a follower of Jesus, I find those qualities endlessly compelling. They continue to shape not only what I believe, but how I hope to live.
Sharing this book feels incredibly vulnerable. It’s one thing to write about attachment, trauma, and relationships. It’s another to openly share the faith that has been the foundation beneath all of it. My hope isn’t that everyone who reads this newsletter will agree with me. My hope is simply that you’ll understand me a little better.
Thank you for reading this far—and thank you for allowing me to share something that is deeply personal. If the book resonates with you, I’d be honoured if you gave it a read. It’s available now in hardcover, paperback, ebook formats, and audiobook.
Study Guide PDF
When you purchase Wired for Connection: The Jesus Way of Belonging in a Lonely World in any format, you are eligible to receive the free study guide, available in PDF form. Simply let me know through the contact page at the website or email contact@carolynklassen.com that you have purchased a copy of the book and would like the study guide, ideal for both individual and group use.
Tragedy interrupted the book launch
My book launch was June 11–Jim, my husband, was hosting a 60’s themed birthday party for me and we decided to do a soft launch of the book that evening.
It was a fun evening, getting all silly and 60’s!
Less than 48 hours later, my brother-in-law died very suddenly, leaving behind a wonderful wife, five children, a meaningful career as a professor, hockey and baseball teams, and numerous organizations he served.
The book launch was abandoned as we stumbled in grief–first, numb in shock, then overwhelmed with pain, and then in “go” mode as we flew to be with his immediate family to support and care for them during the hardest week of their lives.
A funny-not-funny thing happened as my book launch was shelved because of how Ken’s death overtook our lives: instead of thinking about promoting a book about belonging, I experienced a week immersed in belonging in the Jesus way as I heard stories about Ken, my brother-in-law.
This video explains further…