Top 3 Myths About Christian Counseling in Durham, NC

You've been searching for Christian Counseling in Durham, NC. You are worried about starting therapy because you don’t know if you will be seen as “crazy” or “weird” for wanting to talk about your faith. You know there are Christian Therapists you can work with so you start searching for Christian Counseling in Durham, NC and find a plethora of resources. As you go over the various websites you see so many different perspectives that you are a bit unsure of what’s a myth and what’s a fact about Christian Counseling. Well, I don’t profess to know the answer to that entirely, but I want to share with you a few common myths about Christian Counseling that hopefully might help you in discerning if working with me, a Black female Christian therapist, is right for you. Even if I am not the right fit, this blog might help you in your search for how to find a good Christian counselor.

“All I need is Jesus.” - It’s not good to see a therapist if you’re a Christian

Jesus was described as a “Wonderful Counselor” in the book of Isaiah, and I believe like many vocations, that God calls and equips therapists and counselors as well. If you are worried that your faith won’t be welcomed in therapy, something that you might find comforting in starting your therapy journey is specifically searching for a Christian Therapist or Christian Counseling in Durham, NC. You do not have to be less of your spiritual self in working with a therapist. I work with people of a diversity of identities, though I have a particular interest in working with Black Christian Moms and providing Christian Counseling in Durham, NC. You don’t have to leave Jesus out of the therapy room, I believe Immanuel is right there in the teletherapy room with us. Working with me or another Black Christian Therapist might be right for you if you want to go deeper in your healing journey by combining your faith walk with a trained and qualified Black therapist in Durham, NC. One way to think about it is: you see a physician to benefit from their expertise when you are sick or even when you are well (ie. annual physicals). This doesn’t make you less of a Christian; But…what if it makes you a more faithful Christian by helping you take better care of your temple (body, mind, and spirit). Similarly, you might see a therapist, in addition to praying and engaging your faith, so that you might further explore what’s at the root of your concerns. Seeing a clinician who is knowledgeable about your faith tradition might enhance your wellness and faith journey. Your psychological wellness is important to God, and God sends people to walk with you in community so that you can draw closer to Christ not further away.

Christian Counselors spend their time proselytizing and they aren’t real therapists

I am a licensed clinical social worker and very much a real therapist. I also have theological training and ministry experience. I combine these fields to further enhance my practice as a black Christian therapist. Because I am a therapist, my primary purpose in working with my clients is to assess and collaborate on their mental health and wellness goals. By providing Christian Counseling, this focus does not go away. We will always work on your therapeutic goals. While I view being a therapist in private practice as my ministry vocationally, I do not evangelize to my clients. You may have a variety of different preferences around how much you want to talk about your faith and I will honor wherever you are, including if you want the comfort of working with a Black Christian therapist who gets it but you don’t necessarily always want to discuss your faith. We can go there as much or as little as you want! Some clients even like to pray together in session. I always encourage clients to advocate for what they need in their therapeutic relationship. As a Christian therapist, telling you what to believe is way outside of my practice and ethical framework. What you believe is up to you. I can work with you on your journey of authenticity, and self-awareness, and make sure you are engaging your faith in a way that you believe to be life-giving and consistent with your beliefs.

Christian Counselors are judgy

Hey, I’m in no position to judge you. As a therapist, I want to make sure that I operate ethically by providing a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment. Quite honestly, I see this as a perk of operating in this realm rather than being in traditional parish(church) ministry. Seeing your pastor for counseling can be a great tool, but not all pastors honor confidentiality nor are they ethically bound to it in most denominations. I however have an ethical obligation to honor your confidentiality (with exceptions that we will discuss if we work together). I bring this up because that confidentiality could actually help you to feel freer to “come as you are.” I won’t be secretly side-eyeing you. I will be helping to guide you toward what feels in alignment with your spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being.

I hope this helps you find the right black female Christian therapist in Durham, NC. If you are still feeling a little unsure, feel free to call me at 919.213.9894 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. You can also fill out the contact me form if that’s more convenient for you. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with your parenting or postpartum journey, you can read more about how I can help here.

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