Ever find yourself sitting in a sea of questions and thoughts trying to figure out what counselor to pick and if you should pick a Christian counselor or not? The process of picking a counselor can already be overwhelming, not to mention adding the additional component of finding a Christian Counselor. You find yourself asking: What is Christian Counseling? How will the therapist use it in therapy/counseling? Is he/she going to beat me over the head with the Bible?
These and many more questions are brought to me when individuals, couples, parents or families are seeking “Christian Counseling”. The expectations and understanding of the process begins to run wild within their thoughts and unrealistic expectations are created. So what is Christian counseling and what should you expect in our time together?
Theary Tribe describe it this way: “Christian counseling is a therapy focus area centering on intertwining the disciplines of faith and psychology to provide an approach to mental and emotional health that pulls from biblical teachings. Practitioners of this style of counseling incorporate religious scripture and teachings to guide you through challenging life issues. When facing turbulent life events, integrating and strengthening your faith may be the missing piece in finding proper treatment. A Christian counselor can help you to navigate life’s challenges in ways that respect your faith.”
Who would benefit from Christian Counseling?
When your life has gotten bigger that you can handle, cope with, or problem solve on your own
When you have come to the end of self
When you want to incorporate your faith into your healing work, problems, situations and journey.
When your feeling disconnected from your faith because of your stressors & struggles
What Christian Counseling with me IS NOT:
Hitting you over the head with the Bible.
A turn and burn style
Judgement & condemnation
Taking the role of pastor, elder, spiritual mentor or bible teacher
What Christian Counseling with me IS:
An approach to psychology through the lens of the Bible
Prioritize the faith as an important part of the healing process
“Soul Care” - Focusing on the care of the whole person: body, soul and spirit
Maintain the values taught in the Bible
Achieve a better understanding of self and grow into a deeper relationship with Yahweh
Focused care toward your spiritual health with goals surrounding the ability to love and be loved, forgivness, community service, personal fulfillment, compassion, caring for others, experiening and spreading joy, self-care, reflection and servitude.
Spiritual guidance
The use of a broad range of materials and resources, including prayer, scripture, affirmation, and Bible teachings.
Bring the Word into sessions and into our journey helping you find clarity and hope through Him. There’s nothing like having a verse in passage come alongside your journey to give you hope, guidance and direction into your present circumstances. That's one of my favorite ways of utilizing scripture.
Christian resources. The resources I provide/assign come through the channels of either articles, books, pobcasts and/or an online resource called RightNow Media.
What is Rightnow Media?
Rightnow Media is an online streaming video subscription service I give you instant access to as part of our time together in which you will find hundreds of video Bible and topical studies from the world’s best and brightest authors, pastors, and Bible study teachers. Think of it like a Netflix or Hulu for Christians! Once you begin your work with me, I’ll send you an invitation to access the studies on any of your devices including, iPhone/iPad/iPod, Android, phones and tablets, Mac and Windows PCs and Apple TV. With Rightnow Media, I use it as an online resource for personal growth in all areas of your life and as a means to create your own personal marriage retreats, enabling you to keep the expenses down and make it flexible around your schedule and budget while growing in your personal faith journey.
Christian counseling is a therapeutic approach that can address many issues that may arise in your life, and in working with a faith-based therapist like me, you can heal while also turning towards your faith in a time of need. With the additional focus on your spiritual health and your personal relationship with God, those who practice Christian counseling believe that with therapy, your personal problems, mental concerns, and emotional instability can be replaced with increased self-worth and a sense of spiritual fulfillment.
As Christians sometimes we expect life to be perfect and for everything to go smoothly for us. However, as part of a person’s spiritual journey, you will inevitably experience challenges and hardships along the way. This is a universal experience; no one is immune to our genetic make-up, life’s difficult times, stresses or setbacks. When a person is in sync with their spiritual health, they are open to receiving guidance from their faith that allows them to handle the curve balls of life through the filter of their faith. As this verse states "Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5,6 WEB). Come join me in incorporating God's love, grace, empathy, compassion, forgiveness, wisdom, guidance and mercy into the process of change.
Yvette E. McDonald is the owner and counselor at Traveling Light Counseling, a practice for those wanting to incorporate their faith into their personal issues and experiences in the Port Saint Lucie and Martin County area. I'm passionate about helping you make choices and changes in your life that feel aligned with God's Word in order to begin and maintain deeper and more authentic relationships and life. If you're in the Saint Lucie or Martin County Area and life isn't quite what you expected it to be at this point in your journey, please give me a call at 772-361-8448 for a free, 15-minute phone consultation.