April 7, 2023

Jesus and Therapy: The Power of Integration

By Cotorey Seals
Identity Development

If you’ve been looking for a Christian Therapist, you have come to the right place. You may have come from a cultural background that believes in God but might be unsure how a therapist can hold space for Jesus and therapy. When finding a Christian therapist, there are a few key details to keep in mind, such as how faith integration is defined, your therapist’s role within that integration model, and their role in contextualizing Jesus and therapy.

What is integration?

The word that connects Jesus and Therapy is called integration. The integration model attempts to combine the Christian faith with the science of psychology. While Christianity is rooted in values that come from God, psychology is a science that is based on facts and research. What faith integration aims to do is combine the two: both the  scientific knowledge and core convictions that are shaped by a Christian worldview.

How do therapists use faith integration?

A Christian therapist is a mental health professional who incorporates their faith into their therapeutic practice. They believe that a person’s spiritual and emotional health are interconnected, and because of this, addressing both aspects are essential for overall well-being. When integrating a Christian approach to therapy, your therapist may focus on helping you understand and align your beliefs, values, and actions with your faith. This may involve exploring your relationship with God, and the role of spirituality in your life. This can be done using various counseling theories, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, or psychodynamic therapy. Your therapist may adapt these theories to fit your needs and beliefs better, which can be done by incorporating spiritual and biblical perspectives.

The goal is to contextualize one’s faith within the art of therapy, all while offering you the best care possible. A good Christian therapist will aim to bring the principles of the Christian faith into their therapeutic practice while still maintaining a high level of professionalism and respect for their client’s needs and desires.

Conceptualization

Conceptualizing the Christian faith into professional counseling practice can be challenging, but it can also be a powerful tool for those seeking it. For Christian counselors, it’s important to understand both the principles and practices of the counseling theories we’re using, as well as how those theories align with our personal beliefs and values.

Personally, narrative therapy is one of my favorite theories to lean into for this. With narrative therapy, Christian counselors can use techniques such as encouraging clients to tell their stories and to identify and challenge limiting beliefs, while also incorporating their faith into the therapeutic relationship. The therapist might encourage clients to see their lives as part of a larger story that is shaped by their relationship with God, and to consider how their faith can impact the way they understand and respond to their experiences.

Of course, it’s also important for Christian counselors to maintain ethical standards and respect for their clients’ beliefs and values, even if they differ from their own. It’s a delicate balance, but by remaining grounded in their faith and professional training, Christian counselors can provide compassionate, effective, and meaningful support to their clients

Jesus and therapy go hand-in-hand

The integration of Jesus and therapy is a complex but essential process for Christians.  Through techniques from various theories, you can expect your therapist to help you better understand yourself and co-author new stories that bring hope, healing, and growth. When looking for a Christian therapist, it’s important to find one that is well-informed about both the science of psychology and the principles of the Christian faith to effectively integrate the two. The ultimate goal is to help clients find wholeness and healing by connecting their faith and therapeutic journey.

If you are seeking a Christian therapist,  be sure to find someone that effectively integrates Jesus and therapy. There are wonderful therapists here at optimum joy that can hold space for your Christian faith and your therapeutic journey. Give us a call today!

Written By

Cotorey Seals

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