You think about counseling or therapy and wonder if you need it or if it might be beneficial to you. Many people don’t know the difference between counseling and therapy. That difference seems small, but it is not. Therapy dives deep into your heart to see who you are and what makes you the way you are. Counseling, on the other hand, takes what is in front of you and looks to help you correct it as you move forward. Ironically, I’m not sure the licensing terms matter much when you differentiate between counseling and therapy. I know many people with counseling licenses who are adept at diving deep into who you are. I also know therapists who tend to focus more on the here and now and what immediate changes need to be made. The question then becomes something like, “What is true about counseling and therapy?” “What information can you take to the bank about both?”
There are many misconceptions about therapy and counseling. One that you might think of is that seeking help is a sign of weakness or that you are mentally ill. Nothing could be further from the truth. You will find below ten facts about therapy and counseling that hopefully will help you move closer to deciding whether getting help is right for you. You may also consider the question if I do get help, where do I go?
** Everyone needs wise counsel: ** Counseling and Therapy can be a source of wise counsel. Even the Bible tells us that we need wise counsel. The book of Proverbs is full of references to that need. Proverbs 12:15 tells us that a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 11:14 says that people fail without guidance, but safety is found in an abundance of counselors. My favorite though is Proverbs 19:20-21 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Over and over, people who follow Jesus are admonished to seek wise counsel.
** Wise counsel can be found with both a therapist and a counselor. ** While you want to make sure the person from whom you seek therapy or counseling is well-qualified, you don’t have to discriminate against particular types of providers. Frequently, providers are fully booked, and getting an appointment anytime soon can be difficult. Understanding who you should see can help. When you are looking for individual help, you can and should consider almost any licensed psychotherapy provider, whether they are LMFT, LPC, or LCSW. Some people may even choose someone who is not fully licensed. Couples need special consideration, as do children. You want to talk with the provider and make sure they have experience and are comfortable addressing your problem. Sometimes churches will offer couples and individual counseling from a Certified Biblical Counselor, for example, Foothills Church, Maryville, TN. https://foothillschurch.com/ They specialize in couples counseling and are more experienced than most. When looking for a provider for a child or teen, you again want to consider experience and training. This is especially true for young children as they need unique services that require training past school. The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy specializes in individuals who struggle with telling others no to the point that they hurt themselves and the people that they love. We also specialize in treating trauma or the ongoing pain of a life filled with series after series of unfortunate events. There is wisdom in choosing a well-qualified counselor, therapist, or Certified Biblical Counselor.
** Wise counsel can be found with both therapists and counselors, but not always. ** There are well over 400 documented theories of counseling and therapy. However, no two therapists apply those in the same way or use them the same way. There are new treatment models developed out of those theories or combinations of those theories emerging all of the time. You do need to consider this when making your decision. These theories and treatment models are not always the best predictor of you getting wise counsel. You need to be very careful to make sure you are comfortable with your provider. The relationship you have with your provider is the determining factor for success, according to statistics. Therapists and counselors are taught that we are one being with a mind, a body, a spirit, and a soul. Providers will address all four of these areas of your life when you look for someone to provide services you want to consider, particularly what you believe about your spirit. Earlier, I quoted the Bible as encouraging you to seek WISE counsel. You need to consider what you believe to be a good source of wisdom for you. The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC looks at the Bible first for its source of counseling and therapy. Other theories, such as Family Systems Theories, are used as well. Used correctly, Family Systems Theories align themselves with the Bible. The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC also uses Accelerated Resolution Therapy as a form of bilateral stimulation to help with concentration and focus to treat most presenting problems because it aligns with scripture. Providers who are not followers of Jesus will rely on other sources and other theories that subtly emphasize more selfish approaches to healing. You are the only one who can decide what approach is for you.
** Confession really is good for the soul.** Just talking about things that bother you helps. Confessing in a non-judgemental, forgiving environment that allows for repentance is commanded in the Bible. James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray so that you may be healed.” You want to hide in shame when you have done wrong and when someone has wronged you. Talking about those things in a safe and private environment is healing and gives you hope. There is great truth to willingly asking yourself the hard questions, finding answers, and forgiveness. Confession of wrongdoing leads to repentance, which leads to healing. Sharing your pain with one who offers comfort leads to peace, which also leads to healing.
** Therapy is confidential, and that confidence is protected by law.** You may unwittingly release information to your insurance company if you use insurance to pay for your therapy. Without insurance billing, the only ones who know that you are attending therapy or counseling are you, the provider, and who you tell. ** Yes, every provider has a legal obligation to report abuse or life-threatening behavior. ** A judge can issue a court order for records about you and can order your therapist to disclose information about you. They can only do this if they know you are seeing someone. The best way to maintain your privacy is to pay out of pocket so insurance is not billed, and the only ones who know about your work are you, the provider, and who you tell.
** There are many theories about psychotherapy. ** You read earlier that there are over 400 documented theories for counseling and therapy. There is no reason to name them here. The truth is that most providers use the theory that fits the circumstances of the person in front of them. You might experience bits of Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Psychodynamic Theory, Client-Centered Theory, and Family Systems Theory all in one session, depending on what your provider believes you need at that moment. Most of those theories will have valid points that can be helpful to you as you move toward learning to cope with your problems or to “process your emotions.” Their ultimate goal is to decrease pain and increase happiness. Most of you want to decrease your pain and increase your happiness, that’s why you are thinking about seeing someone. The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC recognizes that these theories exist and will also draw upon bits and pieces of them. Earlier, you were informed that most providers consider people to be mind, body, spirit, and soul. Recognizing you as a unique individual is important. Recognizing every part of you is important as well. Consider this: that you are made up of spirit and body. Your spirit contains your mind, your personality, your thoughts, and your soul. Consider that healing your spirit brings about healing for your mind, and releasing stress helps your body heal as well. You may note that it feels as if there is no end to the writing of theories about the human spirit. You can work to decrease pain and increase happiness as your only goal. You have another option, and that is to pursue healing and grow spiritually throughout your life, achieving a close relationship with Jesus. The purpose of The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC is to encourage you to consider what Is most important to you.
** Psychotherapy is individualized. ** Psychotherapy for an individual is about you and what you need. The process is unique for every person, even though there are some common themes and processes. Your needs and wants are the priority of the session. While you are the center of attention and focus, that does not necessarily mean that psychotherapy is easy. Psychotherapy is meant to help you examine yourself to determine the changes you need to make in order to live a better life. That is not always easy, and sometimes it means your therapist will confront your weaknesses. The difference is this confrontation will be done with great humility, love, respect, and forgiveness.
** You Don’t have to be sick to see a therapist. ** While insurance requires a mental health diagnosis and documentation of what they call “medical necessity,” you don’t need those to see a therapist or a counselor. Therapy and counseling are about your own growth as a person. Justifying weekly counseling or therapy to an insurance company is not difficult, and minor symptoms will work for documentation. However, not everyone needs a label or diagnosis. You may recognize that you are struggling with managing day-to-day life and that there should be a better way. You are a good candidate for counseling and therapy. You may just want to understand yourself better and make better decisions. You are a good candidate for counseling and therapy. Maybe you have a decision to make and are not sure what decision to make. Both a counselor and a therapist can help you step out of your emotions and consider the decision from several perspectives. This consideration allows you to make the best decision possible for you.
** Getting an objective opinion can make a big difference for you. **When you talk with family and friends about your conflicts, both internal and external, they are not objective. There was a time when I was discussing a particularly difficult problem with a friend, and her response was simply, “You know I choose you, right?” She didn’t want to tell me that I was being a jerk. Those of you from the south and especially the mountains know who will “help you hide the [proverbial] body.” Your therapist or counselor should hold you accountable for your part in the decisions that you make and the things you do. Otherwise, you never reach that place where you experience true growth and inner peace. You don’t like the thought of looking inward and seeing the mess inside, but just as a skilled surgeon uses pain to promote healing, a skilled therapist or counselor can do the same for you.
** Every therapist has a bias, even though they offer an unbiased opinion. ** Everyone, including The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC, has a core belief about our sources for understanding what is right and what is wrong. Your therapist or counselor is no different. Just as political opinions are greatly divided in the United States, so are therapeutic opinions. You should use caution as you consider your choice of therapist. You want to consider your therapist’s source for his or her core beliefs. You will find most ignore this issue and will tell you it doesn’t matter. The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC disagrees. When you are considering your therapist, you may want to ignore the spiritual aspects of therapy, and most therapists will do that with you. Some of you may be looking for a therapist who relies heavily upon what is often called spirituality in the United States. You do want to be careful about this term. Most of these therapists will tell you that you can call on whatever spirit you want, even Jesus, and they will have you use exercises where you empty your mind of the junk. You are the only one who can decide if this approach is what you are looking for. The Lion’s Lamb Familiy Therapy, LLC does not use these techniques. That does not mean spirituality is not addressed. The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC uses the Bible as the sole source for spirituality and will encourage you to allow yourself to be filled with God’s spirit by entering into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Regardless of your decision about this level of spirituality, you will be treated with kindness and respect with a goal to decrease your pain and increase your happiness. Keep in mind the difference between The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC, and many other providers is bias is acknowledged openly.
The single most important factor for successful therapy is the relationship between you and your therapist or counselor. When you think about your needs and what you want from therapy, please interview your therapist. Ask the hard questions about these truths and think about your needs. Vickie, the therapist at The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC, is kind, compassionate, and gentle, but she is also direct and firm. She will laugh with you and cry with you as you struggle to navigate the difficulties of life. She uses sarcasm, sometimes a little too much. She relies on faith and wants the best for you, understanding that the decision about what is best for you belongs only to you. You can click the link to schedule a free fifteen-minute consult to see if The Lion’s Lamb Family Therapy, LLC is the right fit for you.
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