Christian Counseling Avocado Heights, CA. Find a Christian Therapist Near You.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, we learn about the importance of religion and spirituality in the lives of our clients. I treat clients of all faiths and backgrounds and do not specialize in one particular faith. Instead, I am open to my clients teaching me about their beliefs and the important role that faith plays in their lives. From the very first session, I will ask about your religious practices, if there is a faith community that is important to you, as well as determine if there is room for growth in this area. Some people find their closest friends and family in faith communities, so having a therapist who understands this is a vital piece of the therapy experience.

In Christian life, the goal is to become more real; more fully all you were created to be in relationship to God and to other people. I will help you access all that is available to you in the Christian faith that can help you in your journey and relationships. Whether you struggle with faith itself, trauma, relational conflict, or other life issues, I provide a safe environment for you to struggle and be authentic without fear of judgement. I also support you in maintaining your autonomy and freedom of choice in your decisions. I draw on the wealth of psychological knowledge in the Christian faith and in psychology and science to help you become a healthier, more fulfilled relational being.

I do not specialize in treating Christian clients, however I do work with Christians whose background in line with teachings of tolerance. I deal with Christians who are struggling with sexual and/or gender identity issues. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore one's beliefs in God, the church, and their sexual identity or gender identity. I am have worked with these issues for over 25 years and identity issues are a specialty of mine. I am also a specialist and certified expert in the treatment of childhood abuse, trauma, sexual abuse and sexual trauma of males and females. I offer both individual and group therapy along with a variety of different approaches. I CAN HELP!

Working with a higher power or a belief in a higher power can be a powerful tool in the therapeutic process. My approach to counseling incorporates an understanding and respect for the role that faith and spirituality may play in an individual's life. We will work together to explore how your beliefs can be integrated into the therapeutic process and utilized as a source of strength and guidance. Together, we will address the issues that bring you to counseling and develop a personalized plan to achieve your goals and improve your overall well-being. Whether you are seeking support for personal growth, coping with difficult life transitions, or healing from past trauma, I am here to provide

Very often negative thinking, anxiety, depression, trauma, broken relationships and anger can get in the way of God’s plan for us to live wholly and fully. For those seeking a faith-based alternative to traditional therapy, Christian Counseling provides a safe, non-judgmental setting where you can wrestle with life challenges, while having the added support of exploring scripture and bringing it to bear on your current struggles. Whether you are seeking to discuss your faith in depth, or simply want peace of mind in knowing that your therapist “gets” your faith, I would be honored to help guide you on your journey to a fuller understanding of your challenges and how you can best meet them both as a human being and a person of God.

For many of us, our relationship with God is a primary part of our lives. During difficult times, God is an anchor and a comfort for some. For others, even if we have a relationship with God, He may seem distant or withholding. No matter where you are in this process, your faith story matters. God desires for us to be in relationship with others...and he knows the deep pain of broken relationships. Knowing that you will not be judged for your thoughts or actions, and having a counselor who supports your faith can lead to a deep emotional and spiritual healing.

Faith and spirituality can provide comfort and meaning to those guided by their beliefs. I was raised in a Christian household myself so I have an appreciation for the values instilled by religion, the importance of tradition, and the strength of community. My approach to counseling is humanistic and welcoming of all spiritualities. Though I do not incorporate any specific pastoral counsel, I encourage my spiritual clients to draw on their beliefs during the counseling process.

As a Christian who is also a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, I chose to receive my undergraduate and graduate degree from a Christian university. I did this because I believe that God has designed all of the proven therapeutic priniciples and truly wants to help hurting people. This training has helped me to utilize a Christian World View to solve psychological problems. As most of my clients are Christians, I pray for them before each session and with them if they desire.

The presence of God in therapy can be experienced when there is a more direct and open dialogue. As we become more present to each other a sacred space is created. The "space between" where we meet each other and the possibility of the Divine presence. This healing presence has power to transform you and your circumstances. As the philosopher Martin Buber once said,"Religion is Presence."

As Christians, we are called to live a life of greatness. With that, we face a multitude of social, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges. My approach to Christian Counseling is simple: "...be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." -Romans 12:2 NIV. In our work together I want to help you become all that God has made you be, in every facet of your life (family, friends, career, etc). Part of the work is seeing where God is uniquely calling you, the other part of the work is seeing what God is calling you out of (aka. understanding what is holding you back). If you're ready to renew--take the first step and reach out. I'd love to meet you and see how I can help you in your journey.

I received both my masters and doctoral degrees, along with related training, at Rosemead School of Psychology, one of the leading schools in the country focused on the integration of Christian faith and understanding of human nature with clinical counseling. Our faith can be an important, even central part of our lives. For many people having a therapeutic relationship where this part of themselves can be explored and where they can be open about their faith and relationship with God is hugely important. I understand this importance and so I provide an open, understanding space for addressing challenges, fears, and fostering personal and spiritual growth in a Christian context.