A Christian Perspective for Counseling
Online and in-person Christian Counseling with EMDR therapy for trauma and anxiety near Portland, OR
Portland area Christian Counseling that can guide you towards healing and transformation.
As both a Christian and a certified EMDR trauma and anxiety counselor, I know first-hand that the integration of your belief system with counseling can be an extremely healing process. Incorporating your spirituality into sessions can be life-giving. You don’t want to have to explain yourself or why you believe what you do. You want someone who will support your convictions, understand where you’re coming from and encourage you from a Biblical perspective. You’ve considered going to counselors who aren’t Christians, but you know a Christian counselor would “get” you on a deeper level. You want to be able to work towards your goals while acknowledging your spiritual side. Why? Because your faith is a part of you! And this part of you can be a source of strength and hope and healing. Your faith feels like an aspect of who you are-your identity, so it’s nice be able to acknowledge it in counseling. You’re hoping for a counselor who possesses a compassionate and non-judgmental nature and creates an environment where you can freely express your thoughts and emotions. It’s my aim to provide that for you and help lead you further along your healing journey.
But maybe the above is not you. Sometimes, faith and spirituality can be a source of hurt or confusion. That’s why it’s just as important to be allowed to integrate your beliefs into counseling sessions. Just like a physical wound, if left unaddressed, an emotional wound can get worse and wreak havoc on your emotional and spiritual life. As a Christian trauma therapist who uses EMDR and IFS primarily, I can help you work through any faith-related hurts you’ve experienced. I offer a caring and non-judgmental space to process your pain and work out your beliefs while sensitively navigating spiritual concerns. I am careful to allow you the space to work out for yourself how you feel. And my hope is that, once you’ve worked through any trauma or other hurts you’ve experienced in your life, you are more free to move forward the way you want to in your spiritual journey-without it being dictated by those negative experiences.
So whether you’re new to the faith, are questioning your beliefs, don’t care for Christianity at all or have been a Christian your whole life, I work to help you feel that you can safely share and process through what you’re dealing with while also allowing your beliefs to be acknowledged.
Per counseling ethics, I only incorporate a Christian perspective in our therapy sessions if requested. I do not consider myself to provide “Christian Counseling” per se, because some would define that as counseling provided by non-licensed folk who have a Masters in Divinity and that’s not me. But I personally am a Christian therapist and I do enjoy helping you bring your faith into the counseling room as much or as little as you’d like. And I am honored to have walked alongside both Christians and non-Christians alike as well as those who find themselves somewhere in-between.
Wherever you’re at, you’re welcome here.
Come see me in my Tigard office or join me online for EMDR therapy and IFS therapy from a Christian perspective. I provide Christian counseling services for those in Portland, Oregon, Beaverton, Tigard, and the surrounding areas.
Explore some benefits of Christian counseling and EMDR therapy for trauma near Portland, OR.
IIn a world where stress, trauma, and anxiety are all too common, finding solace and healing can be a challenging journey. For Christians seeking restoration and relief, Christian EMDR therapy offers a unique approach to emotional healing and spiritual growth. So what is Christian trauma therapy exactly? Well, I’m sure there’s several way to answer that question. But the way I answer it in my practice is to incorporate a Christian worldview alongside EMDR-an effective therapy for trauma.
Christian EMDR therapy combines the principles of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with a Christian worldview and Biblical principles, which allows you to address your past wounds, negative beliefs, and dysfunctional behaviors within the context of your faith. By reprocessing distressing memories and experiences, this therapy can help to bring about emotional healing, and therefore help give you the ability to live out your Christian values! That’s hard to do when you’re not at peace inside.
If you are seeking a holistic approach to healing that integrates your faith into the therapeutic process, Christian counseling using EMDR therapy may be the answer. Get assistance in understanding on an emotional level that your trauma does not define you and there is hope for healing and restoration. Learn more about EMDR combined with a Christian counseling approach and explore the benefits and transformative power of this unique approach.
I think after COVID we all came to realize how convenient it is to do meetings online, so I offer online Christian therapy. I have found online sessions to be very effective so I even provide Christian counseling for anxiety, trauma, PTSD and EMDR online. While there’s nothing like an in-person meeting, I use a HIPPA compliant platform that you click on at the start of the meeting...and that’s it! So don’t be intimidated by the online format. Whether you’re reaching out from Lake Oswego, Beaverton or Portland, you won’t miss the drive over.
Looking for online Christian therapy?
Finding Healing: How to Choose the Best Christian Trauma Therapist Near You
My heart goes out to you if you’ve experienced trauma and are taking the brave step of finding a therapist who can help. Experiencing trauma can feel like an insurmountable burden, so to add the task of searching for the right support to begin your healing journey likely feels overwhelming. If you are looking for Christian counseling, then finding a Christian trauma therapist can not only provide personalized guidance but also help integrate spiritual principles that foster recovery. This journey is about more than just therapy; it’s about aligning your emotional healing with your spiritual beliefs. But how do you choose the right therapist who understands your unique struggles and values? Below I will explore essential tips to help you identify and select the best Christian trauma therapist near you. Whether you’re seeking compassionate listening, faith-based understanding, or a safe space to heal, the right professional can make all the difference. Let’s embark on this transformative path towards healing and restoration together, ensuring you find a therapist who genuinely resonates with your needs.
Understanding Trauma and Its Effects
Trauma can stem from diverse experiences, ranging from personal loss, abuse, or witnessing a distressing event. In the counseling world, we sometimes use the term big “T” trauma and little “t” trauma to help us better understand what we mean when we use the word trauma. Big “T” trauma typically refers to life threatening events and physical harm, while little “t” trauma refers to anything that you might find overwhelming and distressing and causes significant emotional harm, even if it wasn’t life-threatening. I have found many people don’t know that they’ve experienced trauma because there wasn’t a single, Big “T” traumatic event, but a series of little “t” interactions that led to a degradation of their sense of self and safety. I like to say that the body doesn’t take into account whether you experienced big “T” or little “t” trauma. All it knows is that you were profoundly impacted and the experience likely altered how you see yourself and the people around you. Trauma can foster unhelpful beliefs that permeate every aspect of our life. It can contribute to strong feelings of anxiety and depression and can cause you to check out or feel emotionally numb. These symptoms can disrupt daily functioning and relationships, making it crucial to seek timely intervention.
Moreover, trauma can affect physical health, causing chronic pain, fatigue, and other stress-related conditions. The mind and body are interconnected, and the effects of trauma can manifest in various ways, underscoring the need for trauma-specific approaches that aren’t just “talk therapy”.
If you’re a Christian, you may have had the experience of trauma challenging your faith, leading to feelings of spiritual disconnection or questioning your beliefs. Integrating faith into the healing process can provide hope and purpose, helping you navigate your recovery with a deeper sense of meaning. Understanding the multifaceted nature of trauma is the first step towards finding the right support to facilitate healing.
The Role of Faith in Healing Trauma
Faith can play a pivotal role in the healing process, offering a source of comfort and strength during challenging times. For many Christians, their relationship with God provides a foundation of hope and resilience, which can be integral to overcoming trauma. Scriptures, prayer, and spiritual practices can serve as tools for coping, offering solace and guidance when confronting painful memories and emotions.
What to Look for in a Christian Trauma Therapist
When seeking a Christian trauma therapist, it's essential to find someone who not only possesses the necessary professional qualifications but also understands your faith and values. This alignment ensures that the therapeutic process resonates deeply with your spiritual beliefs, creating a more effective and meaningful healing experience. Look for a therapist who openly integrates Christian principles into their practice, and who demonstrates a genuine commitment to their faith.
Another important factor is the therapist's understanding of trauma and its complex effects. They should be well-versed in trauma-informed care, which means they recognize the pervasive impact of trauma and are equipped to provide sensitive and supportive treatment. This expertise ensures that the therapist can navigate the delicate process of healing trauma while respecting your pace and readiness.
Key Qualifications and Credentials of a Therapist
In the state of Oregon, there are strenuous requirements that often take several years to meet before someone can say they are a licensed mental health professional. Looking for the “L” in their credentials such as LCSW, LMFT and LPC can help you understand that they’ve met those hours and education necessary to be licensed. A small “i” such as LPC-i or the words pre-licensed, associate or intern indicate that person has not yet met the rigorous requirements but is likely working towards licensure. This means they automatically do not have as much experience as a licensed professional. Some associates may have other professional experience doing counseling-type of work, but they haven’t proven to the Oregon Board that they have the hours needed for licensure yet. Experience, in my opinion, is one important thing to look for when finding a therapist. This is particularly true with addressing trauma, as you may respond to your trauma work in ways that a less experienced therapist would not know how to navigate.
Some questions you can consider asking a therapist may include:
Do you offer a free phone consultation? Many therapists are happy to chat with you about why you’re looking for a counseling and what your symptoms and concerns are. Therapists are often just as interested in finding a client that fits with the services they provide as you are, because therapists know that a good fit is key to clients getting better. The therapeutic relationship has been shown in studies to be a significant factor in healing. So even if a therapist looks good online, give them a call. And trust your gut! You are part of the choosing process. If you don’t “click” with a therapist, that’s ok! Find someone you do want to see and feel seen by. Therapy is such a personal experience, it’s okay to be choosy.
What are you specialties? This is an important question because, while counselors have often seen a wide variety of concerns, most know they work especially well with certain types of concerns. If the counselor you ask this question to doesn’t specialize in what you’re looking to address in counseling, it’s usually best to keep looking. You don’t want to waste time. I similar to the difference in going to see general PCP or primary care doctor for your skin disease or going to see a dermatologist for it. A PCP or a general counselor can only get you so far down the road of healing.
How do you integrate Christian principles into your practice? This question can help you gauge the therapist’s comfort level with implementing their faith into counseling and ensure you are both on the same page regarding how you would like that to look.
What therapies or modalities do you use specifically for trauma? How much trauma counseling do you do in your practice currently? As mentioned earlier, trauma is often not healed through traditionally talk therapies. If you are seeking counseling for trauma, then you want a counselor who can provide a therapeutic modality that has been proven to help with trauma. Some of the best known therapies for trauma that have also been shown to be effective are EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), brainspotting, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT not CBT) and Prolonged Exposure. You also want a counselor who is using at least one of these trauma-specific orientations often. Therapist trainings vary widely and a therapist who did a two hour training in EMDR is not going to have the same level of knowledge as a therapist who took several days of training through the official EMDRIA training organization or as a therapist who went beyond that with additional consultation and classes to be able to say they are EMDR certified.