Christian Counseling in Roswell, GA
Are You Struggling To Find God In The Midst Of Your Pain?
Have you been going through a dark night of the soul and wondering why God seems so silent?
Are you dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or another mental health challenge that’s testing your faith?
Do you feel like the Christian community around you can’t offer the support you need?
Maybe your relationships are strained, your health is maxed out, and you feel like everyone is getting ahead in life except for you. You’re used to pushing through challenges on the strength of your faith, but lately, that strength seems to be waning. Although you pray regularly, read and study the Bible, and seek counsel from Christian leaders, you’re still anxious and overwhelmed. As a result, maybe you’re thinking it’s time to get more support.
Sometimes, Mental Health Struggles Lead To A Crisis Of Faith
Let’s face it: there may be elements of your suffering that you’re not keen on sharing with the Christians in your life. Perhaps you still believe in God, but you’re beginning to experience doubts about His goodness and you want a space where you can explore those doubts without feeling guilty or ashamed. Maybe you grew up in a faith community that didn’t truly reflect the love of Christ, and now you’re deconstructing and looking for a place to unpack some of the beliefs you were raised with.
No matter where you are in your faith, we encourage you to take heart. Here at Renovating Hope, we consider it a privilege to watch God move people toward redemption and wholeness. If desired, our therapists integrate modern psychology with a Christian worldview, allowing for healing integration in the minds, bodies, and spirits of our clients.
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Being A Christian Doesn’t Mean We’re Immune From Mental Health Issues
Although God allows suffering to rain on the just and the unjust, there’s an unspoken belief in many Christian circles that suffering is the sign of a weak faith. This is especially the case with mental health—many churches and faith communities consider it a taboo subject. When it comes up, the answer is to just “pray and read the Bible more,” as if doing so will flip a magic switch and make deep-rooted anxiety or depression disappear.
Although praying and reading scripture is an essential part of a Christian’s life, it doesn’t immunize you from mental health issues. Many of the greatest prophets and leaders of the faith struggled with their mental health. There is no shame in admitting that you’re hurting, and there’s also no shame in seeking help. We are relational creatures—it's how God created us, and it’s also hardwired into our DNA—and that’s why seeking therapy is healthy, normal, and commendable for Christians.
In Today’s World, What Does It Mean To Follow Christ?
Mental health isn’t the only topic on the hot seat in modern-day Christianity. For many followers of Christ, politics has become an increasingly contentious subject. There is so much pressure for Christians to “pick a side”--to choose from a very narrow set of competing narratives that often seem to leave little room for Christ’s real teachings.
On top of that, spiritual narcissistic abuse has come to the forefront in recent years. Many faith leaders who are supposed to model Christ to their churches have done the exact opposite, abusing their power and creating lasting emotional scars in their communities.
Simply put, being a Christian in our complex modern world isn’t a cakewalk. From establishing a Biblical sexual ethic to discerning how to approach hot-button political issues, many Christians are asking: What does it really mean to take up your cross and follow Christ in the 21st century?
Christian Counseling Is A Chance To Be Transformed By The Renewing Of Your Mind and Encourage Your Soul
Oftentimes, people who come to our practice have tried secular therapy before, only to find that it left out the most important part of their identity: their faith. Others have tried Biblical counseling, only to find that it ignored many of their deepest traumas and emotional wounds and simply emphasized praying and reading the Bible.
At Renovating Hope, we are all about integration. We believe that God desires to make you whole, and that means incorporating every part of your life into therapy—your mental health, your physical health, your relationships, and your walk with God.
The integration of faith and psychology isn’t a recipe to just pray and read the Bible more. However, it is an invitation to re-orient yourself and sit with God, knowing he won’t he won’t waste your pain but will leverage it for good. Our mission is to help you figure out what this reorientation means for you, allowing you to connect with Christ on a deeper level and be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Tailoring Our Approach To Christian Counseling
We offer counseling for both individuals and couples, and we are happy to accommodate people of all faiths and beliefs. We’re not here to proselytize you or try to change your mind, but to help you reflect on what you believe about God and what that means in light of your mental health journey.
After all, no matter what you’ve been through, there is a story that you unconsciously tell yourself about your life. Therapy is a chance to hold a candle up to that story and ask: How does this story align with what I know about God? To help you do that, we’ll draw from a wide range of approaches, some of which are outlined below:
Narrative Therapy—Not all the stories you tell yourself are necessarily true. The goal of narrative therapy is to question these stories and reimagine what is true in light of who God says He is, focusing on the role redemption plays in the story of your life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)--When automatic negative thoughts arise, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m too broken to find redemption,” CBT can help you challenge these thoughts and form more empowering self-beliefs.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)--If you’re living out of the spirit of God, you will be more patient and compassionate with the parts of you that have been wounded by loss, childhood trauma, and other painful experiences. IFS seeks to help you care for these younger wounded parts from a kinder, more parental lens, enabling you to connect with your Spirit-led self.
Through a holistic blend of approaches that are all mind-body-spirit centered, we are confident that we can help you deepen your walk with God and improve your emotional wellbeing in the process. The world may be misaligned and broken, but there is still hope for those who are willing to lean on the power of faith and commit to the healing work of bettering their mental health.
You May Have Some Questions About Christian Counseling...
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Yes, all of our therapists are believers, and we approach modern psychology from an integrated Christian perspective. That said, we’re not here to try and convert if you are not a Christian or if you find yourself deconstructing your faith. We offer a judgment-free space where you can voice any doubts and fears without worrying about how you’ll be viewed.
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The truth is that many people in the Christian community share the same concern. The good news is that our sessions are confidential, so what you share with others is up to you. Regardless, it’s important to remember that wanting help is nothing to be ashamed of. Throughout Scripture, we see God continually work through the wisdom and counsel of other people. Reaching out can be one of the ways He provides care and guidance in your life.
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Counseling isn’t meant to replace your faith, but to complement it and help you grow in it. Seeing a therapist isn’t a crutch, but a means of giving you the strength and stability to navigate life in a healthier and Godlier way. Over time, we’ll work on helping you feel more equipped, more self-aware, and more able to handle challenges on your own.
In fact, a big part of the process is regularly checking in to talk about how much we need to meet. Although it’s best to start with weekly sessions, it’s okay to adjust the frequency of sessions as time goes on and you come closer to meeting your goals.
We’re Here To Help You Find Hope In This This Dark Night Of The Soul
Whether you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, going through a difficult time in your marriage, or wrestling with spiritual questions about God and the meaning of life, Christian counseling with Renovating Hope can help you experience peace in the midst of pain and uncertainty. To connect with one of our Christian counselors, you can use the contact form or call us at 404-369-8957. We look forward to partnering with you on your journey!
