I’ve never talked to anyone. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?
Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the courage to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. In our work together, I’ll help you explore and identify your strengths and how to implement them to reduce the influence of the problems you are facing.
What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
The difference is between someone who can do something, and someone who has the training and experience to do that same thing professionally. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.
Why shouldn’t I just take medication?
Medication can be effective but it alone cannot solve all issues. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals.
How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?
Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs.
How long will it take?
Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.
I want to get the most out of therapy. What can I do to help?
I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success.
Is online Christian therapy effective? Or is it better to meet in person?
Since the onset of Covid, Christian counseling online has proliferated and become a regular source of quality Christian therapy in NYC and other urban contexts. Many people would not have access to professional Christian counseling if they needed to commute to an office. The convenience of telehealth therapy can insure continuity of care and growth. The effectiveness of therapy is more determined by the relationship and skill of the therapist, as well as the desire to grow personally on the part of the client, than it is on the physical setting. While meeting face to face may be a preference, treatment outcomes of in-person therapy are not necessarily better than online Christian counseling.
Does it matter if I have a faith-based professional Christian counselor, or will any professional counselor work for me?
Professional counselors who are not faith-based can be quite competent in promoting growth and healing. Professional Christian counselors are not the only counselors who can provide a safe and nonjudgmental relationship combined with effective interventions. In other words, Christian counselors are not necessarily any more effective or ineffective than non-faith-based counselors. This is a personal preference decision for each individual.
For some individuals, faith is a central and vital component of life, informing all areas of their being. One’s faith values, convictions, hopes, and perspectives are intertwined with life decisions. As such, a client may feel more understood by a counselor who understands this essential part of them. For such persons, the preference for a Christian counselor makes sense. A Christian based therapist can enable dialogue that might resonate with one’s spiritual journey, and draw wisdom from the bible to apply to life situations.
Couples might consider if it’s time to talk with a Christian marriage counselor near me, or should we just keep trying, on our own, to work things through?
A question many couples ask themselves is, “Should my spouse and I just keep praying and try to communicate better?”, or “Is it time to reach out to a Christian marriage counselor near me?” All couples experience tension from time to time, and sometimes partners can work through impasses without the help of a professional Christian relationship therapist. The frequency or intensity of arguments can help you discern if a Christian relationship therapist is the best way to resource your most important relationship. If tension in your marriage is happening too regularly, or tension escalates beyond your comfort level, and the duration of time it takes to reconcile seems longer, then a professional Christian couple’s counselor is likely a wise and fitting next step to take. It’s important that you don’t become habituated to unhealthy patterns and develop negative communication styles that later on become hard to unlearn.
Alternatively, the absence of conflict is not necessarily an indication of marital health. When stagnation or passivity has made its way into your relationship, marriage can start to feel more like a routine or duty, devoid of joy and pleasure. A Christian marriage counselor can assist you with fanning the flame on your relationship, or forming a deeper emotional connection that will sustain the relationship after the initial passion (honeymoon stage) has done its work. Perhaps you never learned how to share feelings, and be emotionally honest and vulnerable. Professional Christian relationship counseling can help you cultivate more lasting and mature love, as well as relationship enjoyment.
A professional Christian couple’s counselor is trained to assess what is at the root of your relationship distress, and provide interventions, skills, and tools specifically aimed at the presenting issues particular to your unique relationship. Prayer can be an essential part of relational healing, yet actions are also necessary for relationships to grow and thrive. Professional couple’s therapy is never a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Relationship counseling is always context-specific, meaning there are distinctive factors that each partner contributes to the distress and/or flourishing of each particular relationship.
At times, life in New York City can be a stimulating and adventurous; indeed, an wonderful environment in which to do life and relationship. However, at other times, an urban lifestyle can be demanding and draining on marriages and family life. Finding a Christian couple’s counselor in Manhattan, or any of the 5 boroughs in NYC, can help navigate a path in this unique urban context. It can be an added benefit to have a therapist who genuinely understands the regional nuances that impact marital relationships in NYC. Finding a localized Christian-based therapist in New York City is not as much a sign of weakness or failure, as it is an indication of wisdom and faith. When we wish to grow and improve in any area of life, we’ll often look to be resourced. Proverbs tells us there is wisdom and safety in the counsel of many. The perspective that Christian counseling can be a resource, rather than a sign of defeat, is a more apt scriptural outlook. Finding a Christian marriage counselor in NYC can impact your relationship and help you to thrive as you navigate the opportunities and challenges presented living in the city that never sleeps. Finding the right couple’s therapist in New York City may help equip your relationship to move from surviving to thriving.
Individuals might consider if it’s time to talk with a professional online Christian based therapist about my struggles, or should I keep trying and trusting God to work?
It’s common to feel unsure about how long to persist on our own with personal struggles, and when it makes more sense to reach out to a professional Christian therapist online who can give direction and guidance. A faith-based therapist can help you identify unhelpful patterns and faulty thinking, then apply interventions that promote healthy change. Christian therapy utilizes psychological knowledge and training, while honoring your spiritual walk with God.