Christian Counseling in Gahanna, Ohio
Faith-based counseling for teens and adults in Gahanna, serving the greater Columbus area, in my office or online.
MA, Ashland University (2015)
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Ohio License E.1901104
EMDR Trained Therapist
Where Faith Meets Healing
Finding Peace, Contentment, and Freedom Through Faith-Based Healing
Integrating faith and therapeutic healing to address spiritual concerns alongside emotional wellness. This approach honors your beliefs while providing practical tools for managing life's challenges and discovering your God-given purpose.
I am a faith based counselor and I believe that we were designed to be loved and love. At our core we desire belonging, love, understanding, and security. I allow space for the Holy Spirit to be present in each session. I leave discussing spiritual concerns up to each client as to honor each individual.
As a faith-based counselor, I believe you were created to overcome life's challenges and live abundantly, not just survive. I integrate spiritual perspectives with approaches like EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and inner-child work to help you find both peace and practical coping strategies.
You don't need to share my faith to work with me. About half of the people I see come for faith-based counseling and half don't, and I welcome both.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
God alone can touch the deepest layers of our pain and bring healing where no one else can.
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.
You Were Created to Overcome
Peace and contentment is very possible given the right skills and support. If feeling stuck or trapped has become your normal, know that you don't have to live that way anymore.
Choosing a Faith-Based Counselor
More and more of my clients are looking for faith-based counseling that can heal the mind and the soul. They want to be able to not only discuss the issues they are having but also openly discuss God, the Bible and their belief in the power of prayer.
And I am not the only counselor who has noticed that people prefer to seek guidance from those who support, rather than challenge, their faith. In fact, according to a nationwide survey by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), 83% of Americans believe their spiritual faith and religious beliefs are closely tied to their state of mental and emotional health. Three-quarters have stated it's important for them to work with a therapist who integrates their values and beliefs into the counseling process. And more respondents said they would prefer to see a religious counselor (29%) than a psychiatrist (27%), psychologist (17%) or family doctor (13%).
Selecting the Right Faith-Based Counselor to Work With
Just as no two people are alike, no two faith-based counselors are alike either. They will differ on a few different things:
How much religious training (if any) they have had
How much religion they incorporate into their practice
The populations they serve
Their psychological expertise
Beyond this, some faith-based therapists aim to holistically integrate the mind, body and spirit for people of all faiths, while others focus solely on applying scripture to modern day problems instead of social sciences.
You will also find that some faith-based counselors will be licensed by the state, and some will not. The reason for this is a state license prohibits a therapist from imposing personal beliefs onto clients. But a Christian faith-based counselor is free to speak openly and candidly about his or her faith with the client. And, while state-licensed mental health professionals are well trained in emotional counseling, they aren't necessarily trained to help heal on a spiritual level.
At the end of the day, you need to decide what is the most important qualification you wish your counselor to have. It's a good idea to do some research and find local faith-based counselors in your area. Get on the phone with them and ask some questions. The most important thing is whether or not you feel comfortable talking with them.
If you or someone you love is interested in exploring faith-based treatment, please be in touch with me. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help. In my practice, all faiths are welcome.
Ready to Find Freedom and Joy?
I invite you on a journey in a safe place where you can grow and heal and become the person who not only can manage life's stressors, but learns to become content and happy. You deserve to find out what is stopping you from enjoying life and experiencing freedom.