Christian Counseling La Riviera, CA. Find a Christian Therapist Near You.

Although I am not a strictly biblically based therapist, I am deeply steeped in Christian, Jewish & Buddhist traditions. My personal life is deeply contemplative and guided by a spiritually passionate commitment to aligning myself with the G-D within and who holds us in spiritual unity. I am fluent in many traditions but was raised Christian with strong faith as a core abiding principle in our home life. I carry this forward today and am committed to helping myself and others evolve spiritually. For Christian couples who seek counseling, and wonder how the Gottman Method works with their faith, I use the Biblical Reference Guide to help support the spiritual application of this method.

Our daily struggles are opportunities for emotional and spiritual growth. They are literally faith builders. When situations get too uncomfortable, one either reacts or escapes, or does both. Some times these daily trials can become too large to navigate alone. I find great joy in assisting people during trying times back into a healthier and happier life. I have a warm and non-judgmental approach that provides an opportunity to address both short and long term goals, crisis situations, and long-term underlying issues. I help my clients explore their past and how it is showing up in their present. “…be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” ~(NIV) 2 Chronicles 15:7

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.

Large numbers of studies indicate that practicing a mainstream faith confers significant health benefits, especially mental health benefits, and that people who use “religious coping” (i.e. prayer, confession, seeking strength and comfort from God) adjust better to stressful events. Additionally, for some people, knowing that their therapist shares their faith and core values can provide a sense of security and comfort as they walk together through important life decisions. At our counseling center we want you to know that our therapists are perfectly willing to address and integrate issues of faith into your therapy.

Yes, I do practice Christian counseling and I use biblical references when the clients are Christians or want to know what the Bible says. Counseling is about treating yourself and others in a loving way. That fits beautifully with the Bible's teaching. I have studied and taught the Bible for many years, been a Director of Women's Ministries and taught at a Christian college. If you have questions please call me.

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.

As a Christian counselor, I strive to show unconditional love and acceptance to my clients while forming an alliance based on the values and beliefs of the client. I support all spiritual beliefs within the realm of Christianity. If you life has a strong religious foundation, I respect that and will adhere to your beliefs as part of therapy.

While most Christian Counselors pride themselves on how many Scriptural passages they can recite and how many links they can make from the Bible to psychological disorders, the Christian-centric work of Grey Matters International, Inc.is grounded in one principle: truth. For us, the work is more about truth and transparency of Christ's message and working on the natural laws of accountability and decision making that evolves from that. If one honors God's natural laws of reaping and sowing around the decisions one makes, one is indeed living Scripture to its fullest. We prepare the brain to better maximize the spiritual realities of Christ's words. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com.

Spirituality and faith manifest themselves in the deepest and most profound aspects of our lives. They affect us in our personal existence both in terms of the communities of faith and the personal beliefs to which we are committed. We are guided and informed by the sacred values and spiritual teachings of our personal faith. As a result, faith can be a crucial factor and may be important in determining the path to our lives –– making it a foundational element of the help offered in therapeutic work.

As a Christian, I value and appreciate people's faith and will work with you with that in mind. Prayer for our troubles is important; but just as if you had a broken bone, you would go to a medical doctor, when you have relationship, psychological, or emotional problems, you seek help from a professional counselor. I work with individuals who want to really know their true value in Christ but have had life experiences that have led them to believe something different. I also work with couples who, although both have their faith, still need relationship and communication skills, need to learn to negotiate their differences and build love and respect in their relationship.

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.

I've been following Jesus for over 30 years. I'm not about Bible-bashing or quoting Scripture you already know ("Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.") with the belief you should just be able to do it because it's in the Bible - if you *really* love God. But instead I show my clients how they can live out what God and the Bible have to say about their life and relationships in realistic ways that you can actually do. My clients learn to personally experience the love, grace, mercy, gentleness, self-control, kindness, compassion, peace, and forgiveness, the Bible promises - and how to offer these experiences in their relationships with others.

I specialize in counseling for Christian married couples, specifically those of the LDS faith. Using a faith-based therapy model, I am able to meet clients within their own belief system and help them navigate the challenges of it while tapping into the goodness it provides them. This is particularly helpful for clients who are navigating sexuality and intimacy issues.

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.

Our deepest wounds are often those that are at the hands of another person. Human brokenness is the root of our need for redemption. This holds true in therapy and growth work as well. When we encounter our deep wounds, we encounter our need for our Big God. Here, we are able to reconcile the broken our hurt parts of our ourselves. Dr. Vanes been a pastor's wife for 15 years and is trained in integrated counseling with Masters degrees in Theology, Clinical Psychology, and Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Master's in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific Universality. Jace Draper is an LMFT with an MA from Azusa Pacific.