Exploring Christian Counseling: How to Actually Find Hope in Life with Mental Health
It’s no secret that “mental health” has become an increasing topic of interest and buzzword in today’s world. It’s in the news; you see those close to you struggling with mental health. You’ve probably seen it discussed on social media. But how are Christians to think about mental health? Does the Christian faith or the Bible have anything to say about mental health? Although the Bible doesn’t use the words “mental health”, you might be surprised to know that there’s an intersection between Christianity and mental health. By understanding the unique perspective that Christian faith brings to mental health, we can explore how Christian counseling can provide a holistic approach to healing and renewal.
Mental Health in Christian Communities
Historically, there’s been a stigma surrounding mental health issues within Christian communities. Mental illness sufferers have been labeled automatically as having weak faith, being punished by God, or assumed to have hidden sins. (Recall Job’s friend’s response to his suffering.) Doing so without providing a safe, unassuming community to share struggles, suffering people have experienced feelings of shame, embarrassment, and isolation. Some have even left the Christian faith or community in search of a safer place to seek help and support. Recently, emphasis on mental health within the Christian community has opened the door to conversations about mental health. By acknowledging the sufferings of mental illness, Christians can create a safe environment of community, love, help, healing, and support.
A Biblical Approach to Mental Health
Despite the stigma in the Christian community, the Christian faith offers a rich base to understand mental health through the lens of the Bible. The Bible acknowledges how people, as created beings, are holistically compromised of body, mind, and spirit. Throughout Scripture, the Bible names emotions—emotions that even God Himself experiences and creates. The Bible explores the lives of individuals who struggled with fear and despair. Scriptures address an anxious and worrisome heart. It addresses the experience of Jesus’ grief as he wept for his friend Lazarus. Scripture provides hope, comfort, and peace for those experiencing suffering from past traumas. Exploring these passages and stories can help anyone find encouragement in their journey toward healing and renewal!
Christian Faith + Therapy = Christian Counseling
Christian counseling combines the principles of secular psychology and the teachings of Christianity to provide a comprehensive approach to mental health. It recognizes the importance of addressing the emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, and relational aspects of individuals. Christian counselors are trained mental health professionals with master’s and doctorate degrees; they can integrate a Christian, biblical worldview with evidence-based therapy techniques. They offer an approach to mental health that honors a person’s faith through mental illness.
Christian counseling provides a safe environment where individuals can explore their beliefs, values, and spirituality. It allows God’s story to speak into an individual’s or family’s struggles. By incorporating prayer, Scripture, and other spiritual disciplines, Christian counseling can help people see God in their struggle and deepen their relationship with God.
Finding Healing and Renewal at Sojourner Counseling
At Sojourner Counseling, Christian counseling is the lens through which we explore healing and renewal for those desiring this approach. It emphasizes the transformative power of God’s love and grace in this journey. When working with a counselor, individuals and families can experience emotional healing, growth, and renewed understanding and meaning. Christian counseling provides individuals and families with practical tools and strategies, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges with encouragement and hope.
Beginning Christian Counseling in Raleigh NC
When considering mental health, Christian faith, and Christian counseling provide a unique and powerful framework for healing and renewal. By embracing the biblical perspective on mental health, individuals and families can find hope, support, and guidance. If you’re looking for a Christian counselor in Raleigh NC who can help you begin or continue your journey to healing and renewal, Sojourner Counseling is ready to assist you, your child, or your family. We provide a safe, understanding, and compassionate environment to work through the difficulties in your mental health journey. Together, we can navigate the path to healing and renewal!
Ready to start Christian counseling today?
To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
- Contact Sojourner Counseling through our Contact page. You’ll hear back from our admin assistant within 24 hours.
- Meet with one of our compassionate Christian counselors.
- Start finding healing and renewal through Christian counseling!
Wondering about Some of Our Other Services at Sojourner Counseling?
Curious about other specializations we offer in our Garner counseling office? Often those seeking Christian counseling in Raleigh, NC are struggling with other concerns. Other services include
anxiety treatment, PTSD treatment and trauma therapy, counseling for global workers, and child therapy.
About the Author:
Brye is the founder of Sojourner Counseling. She enjoys working with children, teens, families, and women struggling with anxiety and trauma. She also works with global workers, TCKS and MKs needing mental health support. Utilizing a number of methods, she commonly integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and EMDR within Christian counseling.