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A source of pain and distress that many of my therapy clients have discussed is feeling like they aren’t a “good enough” Christian because they are struggling with their emotions.

This thought has come from their own insecurities as well as from other well-intended (I pray well-intended) Christians.

They are told they are to “have more faith”, “pray harder”, and “give it to God more”. While these aren’t bad or even incorrect statements, sometimes there is more to the story and the process is more complex.

Mental Health

I appreciate the thoroughness of Merriam Webster’s definition of mental health – the condition of being sound mentally and emotionally that is characterized by the absence of mental illness and by adequate adjustment especially as reflected in feeling comfortable about oneself, positive feelings about others, and the ability to meet the demands of daily life.

We then need to define mental illness – a dysfunction within the brain that negatively affects someone’s thoughts, emotions, and/or behaviors and interferes in his/her ability to live a full life in society. (That point is an important distinction.)

The dysfunction and distress of a mental illness go deeper than just a negative reaction to even extreme life stressors. 

Christian Therapy Process

My clients come from all walks of life and are in different places in their spiritual journey. And their level of mental illness and mental health differ.

For that reason, there is no “one way” to do therapy. And truthfully, I would be wary of any therapist who only follows one therapy modality unless they also are only willing to see one type of mental illness. (See the worksheet below for my guidelines on finding an appropriate therapist.)

However, that being said, I would like to use Peter’s advice as a template to view the Christian therapy process.

2 Peter 1:5-6 (NIV) ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

Faith

This is the cornerstone of Christianity – the belief in God and our salvation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Faith is supposed to be the starting point in all situations for Christians.

However, for someone with a significant mental illness, I can’t start here. Because first and foremost I have to do whatever I can to keep them alive.  Let’s go back to a part of the definition of mental illness – interferes in his/her ability to live a full life in society. 

Suicidal thoughts. Self-harming behavior. Substance use. Aggression and homicidal thoughts. These situations require crisis intervention and safety plans. These are situations that we need to be praying for them. Not telling them to pray harder, because in these situations – they don’t care.

Once we are beyond these life-threatening situations we can focus on faith.

• Belief and view of God
• Relationship with God
• Daily applications of faith – Bible reading and studying, praying, etc.

Goodness

Moral integrity, honesty, and uprightness.

Through the conversation about faith, my clients and I often are able to then address areas in their life that are not good or beneficial.

• Negative thought processes
• Anger
• Gossip
• Addictions
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Marital Issues

We first have to shine light into these areas for them to acknowledge it is something that needs to be changed.

Knowledge

This is the intellectual, information-gathering, “why” phase of therapy.

The process focuses on education – listening, reading, and studying new information from a multitude of resources. I will teach during these therapy sessions as well as recommend various books, bible passages, and/or bible studies.

Gaining knowledge is about understanding why what you are thinking and feeling is happening. It is about learning your triggers and patterns.

Self-control

I will equate the “work” part of therapy with self-control. This phase is heavy on the client taking responsibility for their actions and applying the behavioral tools and plans created and discussed.

This can be the most frustrating part of therapy for the therapist. Because I can’t change any of my clients and I certainly can’t make them follow through on their plans.

So if a client “quits” therapy, it is generally during this phase. Because self-control is hard! It requires work and motivation. There has to be a personal desire to change.

Perseverance

This tends to be the “maintenance” phase of therapy that leads into disengagement of services.

My goal for every one of my therapy clients is to work myself out of a job. For them to no longer feel like they need my information, advice, or encouragement.

Maintenance doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps in the road but there is a process that has been working.

Perseverance is knowing why they are working their plans, Who to count on in times of distress, and where to seek Him in all situations.

Godliness

I don’t see clients in this phase. Because they don’t need to see me. Their walk with the Lord is mature and secure. They have a solid understanding of their past. A confidence in who they are in the present. And a clear knowledge of where they are going and how to get there for the future.

    

For the above worksheets and all of my other worksheets and printables, signup below to gain access to my resource library.

God bless,

Melissa

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