Christian Integration
Bridging therapy and spirituality
I sometimes get asked if I’m a Christian. For some clients, this is important in deciding on a therapist to work with. So for those who are interested, I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus. I take this seriously and want to elaborate on how I integrate Christian beliefs and spirituality into counseling for clients who are interested.
Are you looking for a therapist who understands your Christian worldview?
My Faith
Listening & Understanding
I do not push my beliefs or convictions on clients. That is neither therapeutic nor helpful. I seek to enter the client’s worldview and see from his unique perspective as best as I can.
When working with Christian clients, beliefs and spirituality (prayer, scripture reading, church attendance, worldview, etc.) naturally get brought up as clients share about their lives. One client may wake up early to read scripture. Another may speak of meeting with a youth pastor weekly for accountability. As I listen, I gather information, seeking to understand each client’s unique perspective, views and lifestyle in regard to their Christian spirituality.
Upon greater understanding of a client’s walk with Christ, I may begin offering prayers, scripture passages, or theological perspectives that fit the moment. I may walk a client through a guided meditation on the parable of the prodigal son. I may talk of Jesus’ forgiveness of us as a way of helping a client forgive himself (something many struggle with). I’ll even send clients music or art as I think about them throughout the week.
I seek to encourage and build up my clients’ faith.
How Christian Theology Shapes My Approach
I believe God is one in three persons, and we were created in His image. Thus, we were made for a relationship with Him and with others. I see my clients as expressions of God’s goodness and creativity, worthy of dignity, respect, and love. I do not allow their struggles and problems to define them. Underneath whatever chaos and dysfunction they may be experiencing, they are loved by God.
Yet we all live in a fallen world corrupted by death and sinful desires. Though we long for redemption, we struggle against our sin and the brokenness in others and creation. When we live outside God’s original design, we harm ourselves and others. It is often this fallenness that my clients identify with most.
Jesus, though has blazed a path for us back to God, the one our hearts truly long for. With His help, we can walk in greater faithfulness to Him and His ways. We await the day we will be completely liberated from the tyranny of sin and death and reunited face-to-face with God.
Resources
I use some Christian materials such as the books Unwanted by Jay Stringer and Why Men Struggle to Love by Eddie Capparucci and the podcast The Place We Find Ourselves by Adam Young to facilitate discuss and learning.
If you have any questions, please call (208) 758-7414 or email me at Nick@thresholdcda.com.