Biblical and Christian Counseling in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles.

I hold a masters degree in psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary and am committed to the integration of faith and psychology. I, however, do not provide pastoral counseling. I am committed to walking with individuals and couples in any stage of their faith journey, believers and non-believers alike, to facilitate a process of authentic self-discovery and freedom. I am interested in how your faith has informed who you are what you are wrestling with today. The whole range of human emotions, longings and desires are validated and explored in my practice in order to participate fully in the journey of healing.

My personal approach to counseling is grounded in my own personal faith. God has a process from taking us from broken and hurting and redeeming us through a beautiful transformation experience. As believers we trust in the process of how God uses real people and relationships to help us heal. There is a plan and purpose for your life, together in the safety of the session we can create goals aligned with God's will.

When life becomes difficult or you seek deeper understanding, finding solutions aligned with your faith can be profoundly comforting. I offer a blend of psychological support and spiritual guidance, grounded in biblical principles and compassionate care. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, stress, faith questions, everyday challenges, relationship issues, or simply aiming to deepen your spiritual walk, we can explore a holistic path to address your needs. I aim to offer understanding and empathy rooted in our shared beliefs. My goal is to support you in a way that respects and integrates your faith, providing both practical tools and spiritual insights to help you navigate life's journey.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who is a Christian. Life can have its ups and downs. However, I believe that it is our faith that gives us hope in the midst of trials. Sometimes we need someone to come along side of us to encourage us that we are not alone and to know that God has not left us. God can do the transformation He needs to do within us if we are willing. He can transform us in unique ways so that we can see that we have a future and a hope in Him.

Christian Counseling is important when seeking growth in the faith as followers of Jesus Christ in a therapeutic setting. By the use of counseling and connecting to the scriptures or prayer therapists can encourage the client not only during their current life challenges but in future stages of life after treatment has been successfully terminated.

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.

Embark on a journey of holistic healing and spiritual awakening with a therapist who integrates spirituality into therapy. As a spiritual therapist, I honor the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, offering a sacred space for individuals to explore their innermost selves and connect with their divine essence. Through a blend of traditional therapeutic techniques and spiritual practices such as meditation, energy work, and mindfulness, I guide clients on a path of self-discovery, empowerment, and growth. Whether you're seeking guidance through life's challenges, healing from past wounds, or a deeper connection to your spiritual purpose, I am here to support you.

Are you in need of counseling from a Christian, Biblically based spiritual perspective? I hold a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary and bring an extensive history of experience in spiritually and Biblically based healing ministry. With over twenty years of church ministry experience, I have a unique understanding of the needs of Christian families. I have served on prayer ministry and leadership discernment teams for a number of churches and Christian organizations. My desire is to partner with Jesus as He binds up the broken-hearted and sets the captives free to love (Luke 4:18).

Do you want to run your life based on what Jesus would expect from you as a Christian? Do you feel that you want what is expected of you from a Christian point-of-view? Currently, at ASJ Family Counseling, we have a Christian based counselor that will help you find the tools you need to have a better and more complete life based on Biblical scriptures and according to His expectations from you. Also, at ASJ Family Counseling, we have an intern who can help by providing Jewish counseling.

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.

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."

Every therapist at La Vie is a Christian and many of our therapists have advanced degrees in Theology and have spent years integrating the best of psychological research with sound Christian principles. We affirm the importance of faith in living healthy lives and welcome open conversations about this in therapy. Our approach to counseling from a Christian perspective has been so well received that Dr. Baker's book, "Jesus the Greatest Therapist Who Ever Lived" has sold over a million copies worldwide.

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.