The Real Work: Where Faith and Wise Counsel Meet
As a therapist for a little over a decade, I have had the pleasure of working with many individuals, couples, and families. The results of these encounters have varied based on where, when, and how the sequencing of patterns have reached fertile hearts. I can objectively say that the moment I allowed my faith to infiltrate the room is the moment I began to see more healing in the lives of the people I counseled. As a result, I continue to speak about faith and belief in therapy due to the underlying spiritual struggle that presents itself with each encounter. To understand why, allow me to share some of my story.
I grew up in a little town in Arkansas called Bald Knob. I come from a broken family. My alcoholic father also abused prescription drugs. My mother was a product of rape, and my father used this delicate piece of her story against her. My parents’ struggles do not define who I am today or how I view the world, but they play a role in my deep desire to help others.
Coming from a home with addictions leaves you more susceptible to addictions of your own. To truly help others, I knew I needed to deal with my own demons. Without going into the details, I will share that I have currently been sober for about three years. The only way I found peace and healing was by drawing near to Jesus Christ. My move toward Christ severed many layers of bondage and restored what was taken from me by my addictions. Praise God for His mercies and everlasting love!
My healing and restoration began in 2023, almost a year after I started Prodigal Counseling, and soon after my dad passed away. While worshipping the Lord in my truck on the way to the office, I literally felt a massive chain break over me. Yes, literally. My brain actually hurt when this chain snapped. Since then, some of my clients have had similar experiences while working with me; not because of who I am, but because of what God has accomplished in their lives through faith and therapy with me.
What I’ve learned while walking with God in my practice is that humanity struggles with self-deception, especially when we hide in our shame, guilt, and fear of rejection.
These lies we tell ourselves surface from the wounds we received growing up or through family bloodlines. Agreeing with our self-deception gives the enemy an advantage and our traumas darken our understanding. These are things that only Jesus Christ can free us from. I know this is true because I have directly experienced this myself and have witnessed many clients be freed from pain, suffering, curses, broken identity, and addiction issues.
The wisdom of the world claims a therapist should not bring up faith. But a specific type of therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, commonly known as CBT, attempts to address behavioral issues through the lens of managing a person’s thought life. Thoughts come from beliefs. Beliefs about ourselves, others, the world, pain, suffering, joy, and many other areas of life. What I have discovered is that faith and belief are exactly what one needs to explore if we, as a field of helpers, actually want to make a difference.
I had no idea I would be where I am today when it comes to working with others. Because of what Christ has done for me, and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, I can only counsel you to draw near to Him as well and see what He has to say to you. He longs to spend time with you, to talk with you, and to restore your soul.
