Inspirations for Faith and Family

I’m grieved by the fact that many Christians are highly resistant to consider talk therapy for treating mental health. In some cases this resistance persists even as they watch their friends and family struggle with suicidal ideation and other mental health issues. One held belief is that psychology doesn’t belong in the church because Freud wasn’t a Christian and neither were many of the early founders of the field. Another reason for this resistance is the belief that mental health is best treated with more Bible reading, more prayer, more faith, and/or pastoral counsel. The deeper question is, “Can a Christian benefit from the service, the expertise, the work or craft of a person not ‘saved by grace’?” When it comes to getting a haircut, or getting served at a fast food restaurant the answer is more clear. When it comes to mental, physical, or spiritual healing the issue becomes more critical. Since mental health involves the healing of the mind, emotion, spirit, and body, we don’t ...