We talk about healing our bodies through medication, eating healthy, exercising, and even routine physical exams. Our physical body health is something no one questions. If you are sick, you go to the doctor. If you break your arm, you go to the hospital. It is easy for us to validate physical needs.
Times are changing, and we talk much more openly about healing our mental health. We can do this through coping skills, talk therapy, meditation, decreasing stress, getting enough sleep, and working through traumas and situations that impact our daily lives. Psychoeducation, or learning how all these factors affect us, can be a big step in the right direction to improving your daily life.
But what about your soul, your spirit, your faith? What do you do when your faith needs healing? Is there a way to heal your body, mind, and spirit? The answer is yes! Counseling can incorporate somatics (body), mental (mind), and faith (spirit).
What is Faith-Based Counseling?
Faith-based counseling is providing science-based counseling techniques from a professional who shares, or at least understands without judgment, the faith of their client (behaviortherapist.com). Your therapist will use evidence-based approaches, such as CBT, DBT, etc., to support you in meeting your goals, as well as helping you to use your faith to meet your goals or help you to rediscover your faith. Your therapist will support you in understanding the role that your faith plays in your everyday life and how it can impact the decisions you make.
Benefits of Faith-Based Counseling
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that there are many benefits to incorporating your faith into counseling sessions. Some of these benefits include finding guidance to live by, teaching compassion, forgiveness, and gratitude. It allows you to find a sense of self and practice what you believe in, promotes self-expression, renews your sense of belonging, and it encourages self-reflection and growth. Your faith can also lead you to a community of others that your therapist may be able to help you locate if needed. This allows you to feel socially engaged, to be with a group you trust, and form positive connections (2016).
Who is Faith-Based Counseling for?
Anyone. If you are interested in deepening your faith while working to improve your mind and body systems, then this approach may be for you. Faith-based counseling can be a part of depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, family, and marriage/couples work.
Different Models of Faith-Based Counseling
Faith-based counseling has models and approaches that are evidence-based and effective when it comes to supporting individuals, families, couples, and groups. Your therapist will use scientific, evidenced-based approaches and incorporate your faith into sessions in a way that you feel comfortable.
As these blogs continue, I will explain different approaches so you can make informed decisions about whether or not faith-based counseling is right for you.
Mallory Rice is a new clinician with Mindsight. She is a girl mom to 3 humans and 3 puppies, which keep her on her toes! She loves being outside gardening and hiking, but you could also find her working on a quilt before bed. Mallory loves to read and is constantly wanting to learn something new. She loves going to church. Adventures and experiencing new things with her kids and fiancé are at the top of her list for any free time!
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
What's Next?
Ready to take your next step? Request an Appointment with a Mindsight counselor.
What online counseling options do I have? There are lots of great telehealth treatment options and lots of incredible therapists to choose from. Check it out!
What in-person counseling options do I have? We see clients in-person in Somerset, Kentucky, Campbellsville, Kentucky, and coming soon to Louisville, Kentucky!
What is Mindsight Behavioral Group all about? Mindsight has locations throughout Kentucky and they are dedicated to making sure their clients are cared for. Learn more here!
Looking for a supportive community for group practice owners, check out Mindsight Partners.
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References:
https://www.behaviortherapist.com/2019/06/10/what-is-faith-based-counseling/
The Mental Health Benefits of Religion & Spirituality | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
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