Faith-based Counseling
“The antidote to frustration is a calm faith, not in your own cleverness, or in hard toil, but in God’s guidance.” - Norman Vincent Peale
Often, examining your spiritual beliefs can be very helpful in counseling. We are a Christian counseling clinic in our philosophy and therapy approach. When appropriate, and with the client's permission, we may use Biblically-based, Judeo-Christian principles and ideas in the counseling process. We accept all clients, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin or citizenship status, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
What is faith-based counseling?
There are many counseling models utilized by secular and religious counselors today. These models are theorized according to an understanding of the creation and psychology of man. Psychology is simply the study of behavior. Biblically, the psychology of behavior is summed up with the sentence ‘People are moved by what they believe, but they do what they choose’. Faith-based counseling is model of therapy based on the dynamics of beliefs, choices, and faith.
Faith vs. science
As masters-level clinicians, our therapists are trained in the science of psychology to understand and interpret human behavior in facilitating change. We frequently use empirically-backed methodologies (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help our clients. The incorporation of faith (belief) often adds an even greater dynamic to the counseling process. We already know that faith (belief) is a powerful facilitator of change: Belief in oneself, in the kindness of others, in personal gratitude, in hope for the future. When faith and science are combined, counseling can become even more effective.
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In other words:
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You feel what you feel, think what you think, and want what you want because you are moved by what you believe.
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You behave the way you do because of your choices.
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Someone can help you change what you believe to be based on truth and reality, but only you can make loving and responsible choices.
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When challenged to believe the Word of God, you become empowered with life-changing choices.
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When you choose to believe the Word of God, faith arises and change occurs by the grace of God.
When you change what you believe, it will change what you feel, what you think and what you want and empower you for better choices. When your beliefs are based on the truth of God and you yield to that belief, then faith becomes active. “For by grace you have been saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8. Faith not only has the ability to change you in the middle of circumstances, but to change the circumstances as well.
Why is faith-based counseling important?
Almost 75% of Americans say that their approach to life is influenced by their spiritual beliefs. So it makes sense that for many, their emotional issues can have a strong spiritual component, as well. For those whose lives are guided by religious principles, it is critical to their healing that their counselor appreciates their faith in order to understand their background, boundaries and morals. This allows counselors to apply evidence-based counseling techniques that are most likely to be effective. Ignoring or misunderstanding this background can significantly hinder or undo the benefits of therapy.
What if I don't believe in God or I'm not a Christian?
On our intake form we ask the question, "Would you like counseling from a Christian perspective?" If the answer is "no" then the subject of God or religion will not be brought up, unless requested by the client.