What is Christian Counseling?

Photo by Lynnelle Richardson on Pexels.com

Christian counselors connect faith with psychological principles to enhance a person’s mental and emotional well being. Christian counseling uses teachings from the Bible and scripture to help promote healthy coping mechanisms.

As a Christian psychotherapist, I believe in the redemptive work of Jesus. He is the one who transforms lives, and true hope and healing are found through Him.  I am also aware that many do not share that belief or have felt hurt by the church.  With this understanding,  I welcome people of all beliefs and do not presume that all clients want to incorporate spiritual interventions in counseling. I promise to care for you whether you’re a practicing Christian, a jaded Christian, not a Christian at all, or wherever you are on your spiritual journey.

In your first session, we will discuss whether you are comfortable with incorporating prayer, Scripture, and Biblical Principles into your psychotherapy sessions, and your preferences will be respected.

During your counseling experience, you can expect an environment that is respectful and non-judgmental.  You can expect for your input to be included in creating therapy goals and determining treatment modalities.  You can also expect for your therapy to be based in Biblical truths.  You are always encouraged to double-check for yourself to make sure what we discuss in session lines up with what the Bible says.

In summary,  Christian counseling is NOT:

  • Judging
  • Lecturing
  • Shaming

Christian counseling DOES:

  • Respect where you are on your faith journey
  • Encourage personal growth in all areas of life:  spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and relational
  • Prioritize your faith as an important part of your healing process

When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.   ~Isaiah 43:2-3a

Flourish in Hope…….

Hope is found in the promises God has given us – promises of freedom from sin. We can find so much hope in Scripture through the gift of eternal life made possible through His son, Jesus Christ. No matter what trials, temptations or pain we may suffer, we can always hold onto the hope God extends to us. ~The Billy Graham Library

Flourish in Freedom…..

Jesus came to free us from death, sin, and anything that enslaves us. While Christ followers still battle with sin, they are no longer slaves to it. Through the power of Christ, His people can be set free from the bondage of greed, vanity, pride, pornography, addiction, abusive behavior, gluttony, selfishness—and any other sin under the sun. ~Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Flourish in Growth……..

God wants to empower you through the Holy Spirit to live a Christ-directed life. As you continue to breathe spiritually (confess your sin and claim the fullness of the Spirit), you will experience a deepening fellowship with God which will lead to growth in Christ.

Spiritual growth results from trusting that Jesus is living in and through you.  The righteous will live by faith (Galatians 3:11). A life of faith will enable you to trust God increasingly with every detail of your life. ~thelife.com

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. ~Psalm 52:8