CHRISTIAN COUNSELING FOR WOMEN IN ILLINOIS, WASHINGTON, & FLORIDA
Christian Counseling
therapy for women
Can I speak hope into your heart right now?
If you feel abandoned by God and disheartened, you're not alone. I know it sure doesn't feel that way right now, but He is with you.
Do you sometimes feel disillusioned by the Christian Life? Like God is far away no matter how much you pray and read scripture? You cry out to God repeatedly, but it feels like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. You're going through so much.
Or perhaps you've been wounded by Christian leadership or others within your church. Sometimes God can seem harsh, judgmental, and unwilling to answer your challenging questions and doubts. Maybe you're struggling to find peace and joy with all that you're going through. It is all very bewildering.
Maybe you talked to your pastor, and they were comforting and encouraging, but you feel like you need something more. Or maybe you go to a church where pastoral counseling is limited. You aren't sure exactly what you need, but you know you need something.
You want to see a counselor, but you want to be sure they can incorporate your faith. It's the most important part of who you are, even though your faith may feel shaky right now.
You want to be counseled by someone who aligns with your faith. At the same time, you know that just praying harder or memorizing Bible verses isn't changing the way you feel or your relationships with others right now.
You need someone you can trust to be real about how hard life is in this moment, who can listen without judgment and gently point you in the direction of faith, and your desire to live into your purpose and joy in this life.
I can help.
Together we can navigate through this difficult journey. Counseling incorporating your Christian faith can be integral in your healing, built on a foundation of hope.
I provide Christian counseling in a safe and comfortable therapeutic space where you can unpack your thoughts and emotions without worrying that you will be judged, proselytized, rejected, or re-traumatized.
You set the pace for our sessions. I work with many women the church and other Christians have deeply wounded, so any spiritual practices in session are handled with the utmost care and with your leadership. Together we can work with the components of your faith that you would like brought into your counseling sessions.
Like a mosaic, we are broken and incredibly beautiful; both are true simultaneously. It's an amazing paradox. Jesus knows this and has created a path forward where we get to reclaim the beauty that we were once designed for.
Leave your church face at the door….
I provide a safe space to be authentic, so there's no need for "Christian-ese" or over-spiritualizing,
Christian Counseling will help you:
Have a supportive place where you can just be yourself without experiencing over-spiritualization, rigid religiosity, shame, condemnation, or the pressure to believe in something.
Have a sounding board as you grapple with your faith, questions, struggles, or beliefs. Although I won’t have all of the answers, I will listen to what your heart is saying.
Experience an integrative, holistic approach. Many believers approach people one-dimensionally as if humans were only spiritual beings in need of salvation. We are much more complex than that. God created us as physical, social, psychological, and spiritual beings
Receive more Prayer-I am committed to praying for you. I have seen the incredible power of prayer work in my clients’ lives over and over again!
Experience encouragement and hope.
Frequently asked questions about CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
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Christian counseling differs from biblical or pastoral counseling; while I may use scripture occasionally, it is not the primary focus-I also use clinical skills. If you are seeking help specifically with spiritual formation and advanced faith questions, I may refer you to a pastor if appropriate.
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I often silently pray or have already prayed on my client’s behalf earlier in the morning. If a client asks me to pray and I feel led to, I will pray. Most of the time, my clients need a place of rest, guidance, healing, and breakthrough. And know that God is already in the midst.
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In my experience, I’ve seen medication work wonders, and I’ve also seen it not make much difference at all. Taking medication is a matter of personal choice. I am not quick to suggest that a client takes medication. Still, I sometimes recommend further medical evaluation for some of my clients based on the severity of their symptoms and data from outcome measures.
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Each client is different and has a unique chemical balance within their brain. Medication can help the brain’s chemicals regulate emotions and thought patterns, which can result in a decrease in symptoms that interfere with everyday life. This does not mean that you don’t trust God. God has placed many great physicians here on earth to help us in many ways. Ask yourself this question; if you were physically sick, would you see a doctor? What is the difference? If you are struggling with your mental health, you may need to see a doctor as well. God has called us to seek wisdom.
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I strongly value holding a safe space for ALL of my clients and validating diversity of thought, expression, and spiritual practice. I am confident that God brings each and every person into my office regardless of their beliefs. I have clients from many different faiths and walks of life.
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Spiritual bypassing, or spiritualizing, is where every piece of communication is turned into a spiritual principle, direction, or cliche. It is invalidating and sidesteps deep, necessary emotional work.