Both Faith and Science
I took a break from private practice counseling a few years ago. In my work before that break, I became aware of a gap in mental health services. I met many Christian clients who found their way to me after seeing Christian counselors who they said couldn’t help them. I was repeatedly told by clients that they knew they couldn’t just “pray away” their deeply held pain or sorrow or longing. Some counselors simply didn’t have the clinical background to provide the care the clients needed. I don’t say that disparagingly. Not all therapists are trained in the same ways and it’s good that there is variety in approaches; but for clients who are dealing with moderate or severe mental illness, such as Bipolar Disorder or Panic Disorder or PTSD, for example, a comprehensive understanding of mental illness is required for treatment to be customized and effective. My clients would tell me they assumed they had to either go to “Christian counseling” or “secular counseling”, with the latter being based in brain science and psychology and the former being strictly based on the Christian principles found in the Bible.
Because of this experience, I knew that when I restarted my private counseling practice, I would expand my approach. I made the decision to focus my current practice on combining my knowledge and experience as a clinical social worker with my love and value of my Christian faith. Specifically, I’m choosing to concentrate on serving women who seek mental health solutions that incorporate their life of faith.
My philosophy is simple: BOTH/AND.
When a client comes to me who is depressed and hurting, she may need BOTH an antidepressant AND to be reminded of her identity in Christ.
A client experiencing dissociation due to sexual trauma may need BOTH to be taught body awareness, grounding techniques, and breathing exercises AND to understand the way Christian faith integrates body, mind and spirit.
When a client presents with crippling panic attacks, she may require BOTH anti-anxiety medication AND to be reminded of the truth in scripture that God provides, and that the Holy Spirit’s peace is accessible.
I, too, have experienced the ups and downs of mental illness. I’ve felt the overpowering darkness of depression and been unable to slow the ever-running motor of anxiety. I’ve done the work to heal trauma. I know that what has saved me is a BOTH/AND experience. I’ve allowed neuroscience findings to inform how I understand and appreciate my body, for example, AND I’ve surrendered to the healing hand of the Great Physician. BOTH science AND faith.
My desire is to use my Christian and secular education, background of 30 + years as a follower of Jesus, my love for God and his people, my humor, my authenticity, my experience as a wife of 20+ years and as a mom of two, and my heart for hurting women to help foster a community of women who are healthy and whole and find their identity in Christ alone.