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

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."

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.

I am a Christian and I am a psychologist. I do not separate these two identities, nor do I believe that you need to separate out your faith and spirituality from your present counseling needs and goals. In fact, I believe the values and beliefs that shape your worldview are integral in psychotherapy -- and I work to take this holistic approach in my therapeutic services. I earned my doctorate at a Christian university (Azusa Pacific University) and the integration of psychology and spirituality was a vital part of my training. I invite you to explore how your faith is impacting your current issues and challenges.

Some persons are concerned that couples counseling or psychotherapy may challenge their faith and they want to work with someone who supports, understands and even shares the importance of faith. Dr. Brainerd also holds a Masters degree in Christian Theology along with his doctorate in Clinical Psychology and not only values faith but can also help with persons who have found that sometime in their life, religion has hurt them.

Faith based therapy brings Christian values into indivual, couples and family therapy. I am with the Episcopal Church Holy Nativity in Westchester. Reverend Peter Rood presides over the congregation. I believe in a loving God who created man in his image. I believe love, peace, acceptance and tolerance are essential qualities for any Christian to embrace and we will discuss the importance of these values in daily life, especially in relationships and marriage. Christ forgives. Forgiveness is essential to anger issues, family cutoffs, marital infidelity, children who act out, or are oppositional and defiant. A strong marital unit with faith in God is essential to effective parenting.

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.