Healing beyond survival.

Trauma is the response that we may have whenever we experience distressing situations leading to symptoms such as significant fear, felt helplessness, dissociation, and many other maladaptive thoughts and behaviors (American Psychological Association). Whether we experience "little t" traumas or "Big T" traumas, we may experience persistent changes to the nervous system that result in chronic dysregulation (Dr. Stephen Porges). Trauma recovery includes attuning to the needs we hold in order to move from dysregulation to regulation.

Support after harmful religious experiences.

Dr. Karen Roudkovski defines spiritual abuse as the "misuse of power in a spiritual context in which a person or group uses various coercive and manupulative methods of controlling the victim, resulting in the abused individual experiencing spiritual, emotional/psychological, physical, or relational harm" (Roudkovski). Recovering from spiritual abuse includes establishing stabilization, noting triggers, exploring spiritual needs, and slowly integrating tools to increase capacity for spirituality and flourishing. 

Exploring the relationship between faith and holistic care with consideration to the following domains: social, emotional, physical, intellectual, relational, and spiritual.

One of the deepest desires that each person holds in some capacity is to be fully seen and to be fully known. Whenever we consider the integration of mental health and faith, we begin to understand the true realities of the self. Our bodies, minds, and spirit are all interconnected and require attention for healthy and meaningful relationships with others and ourselves (Matthew Stanford). When we 

Pursuing wellness of mind, body, relationships, and spirit.

Many definitions of human flourishing exist in pop culture. However, it is best to understand human flourishing in relation to how we understand human nature and it's relationship to the law and the gospel (Scott Swain). It's important that a Christian counselor's competence is grounded in the gospel, clinically informed, and embodies wisdom (Alex Wendell).