What is therapy and is it for me?
Therapy is the process where someone shares their life, struggles, difficulties, successes, and questions with another individual (the therapist) to get an outside look into the situation. This outside look allows for a fresh perspective. The difference between sharing with a therapist and a friend is the therapist has been trained to identify areas of growth and ways of achieving that growth, as well as being more objective.

People seek out therapy for a variety of reasons. Some come for shorter periods of time because they want to resolve a single problem or want to find more options in making a decision. Others may want to heal from some past events so that they can have better relationships in the future. Then there are those who fall in the middle somewhere. These clients may be going through a process such as divorce, the blending of two families, or grief because of a loss.

“…get an outside look into the situation.”

Some common reasons for counseling:
• Loss of a loved one, health, finances, work, dreams
• Relationships: dating, premarital, marriage, divorce
• Children: behaviors at home/school; bullying, anger
• Transitions: new job, relocating, breakups
• Losing focus on what is important in life
• Addictions or addictive behaviors (drugs, alcohol, porn)
• Recent or past trauma (car accident, child abuse, war)
• Depression (profound sadness, loneliness, isolation)
• Anxiety (excessive worry, constant stress, fear)
• Guilt (past offenses against others, yourself or God)
• Feeling disconnected from the world, life, or God

Unfortunately there can be shame or guilt pushed upon us by others or ourselves for feeling down. Even though you may feel alone, most have struggled with sadness or despair. Some famous people who struggled with depression include Tipper Gore, Mike Wallace, Martin Luther and Vincent Van Gogh. Even the strong leader and pillar of faith Paul wrote, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.” (II Cor. 1:8,9) As it states in Ephesians 4:16 God works through the Body (the Body of Believers), allow us the opportunity to be part of that Body for you.

“We were under great pressure…”