CCC 28-2_LR

AI and Mental Health: Why Complex Relational Dynamics Still Require Trained Professionals Page 22

The Essential Role of Pastoral Care in Mental Health Support Page 30

Family Tension, Parental Alienation, and the Cost of Broken Bonds Page 10

A Publication of the American Association of Christian Counselors IN THIS ISSUE

Volume 28 | Issue 2

Lead Articles From the President Clinical Practice Innovative Thought & Practice Trending Now Healthy Relationships

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Pastoral Care News & Notes Pass It On

AACC 2026 MEGA NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CONFERENCE

t The 2026 AACC Mega National Christian Counseling Conference is offi cially taking shape, and anticipation is already building for what promises to be one of the most significant gatherings in AACC history. Centered on the theme, “ Faith and Flourishing ,” this national event will take place September 10-12, 2026, at the Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington, Texas, bringing together Christian counselors, coaches, pastors, medical professionals, and ministry leaders from across the country and around the world. Attendees are encouraged to book rooms early at the Loews Arlington Hotel and stay on-site by calling 1-800-345-9172 and using the group code AACC26 . This event will sell out quickly, and being on-site places you in the heart of the conference experience. This landmark conference will also kick off the 40-year anniversary cel ebration of the American Association of Christian Counselors, commem orating four decades of faithful service, leadership, and innovation at the intersection of Christian faith and mental healthcare. As AACC reflects on its legacy and looks toward the future, the 2026 Mega National Christian Counseling Conference will serve as a defining moment of celebration, vision, and renewal for the Christian counseling movement. Mega National Christian Counseling Conference Taking Shape!

SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2026

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Pre-conference Workshops Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 8:30-11:45 AM • 005. At a Crossroads:

Linda Mintle, Ph.D. JUST ADDED LUNCHEON

Mack Brock JUST ADDED PRAISE & WORSHIP

Ethical, Legal, and Advocacy Challenges for Faith-based Mental Health Professionals David Jenkins, Psy.D., Jeanneane Maxon, J.D., Esq., and Ryan Burkhart, Ed.D. 006. Decision-making for Flourishing: Integrating Faith, Science, and the Spirit-Mind-Body Framework Karl Benzio, M.D. 007. Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C): From Distress to Connection Sharon May, Ph.D. 008. The Angry Client: Diffusing Hostile Emotions and Restoring Healthy Relationships Gary J. Oliver, Th.M., Ph.D. 009. The Power of Social Connection: Assessing and Addressing Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Disconnection Mark Mayfield, Ph.D., Brian Kelley, Ph.D., and Blake Fraser, M.S. 010. Neurotheology in Mental Health: Applying Brain-based Principles for Resilience, Recovery, and Human Flourishing Harold Koenig, M.D., and Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min. 011. From Burnout to Break- through: Proven Strategies to Restore Energy, Focus, and Flourishing in Leadership Mark Crear, Ph.D., and Johnny Parker, D.S.L. 016. The Flourishing Coach: Advancing Coaching Skills and the Personal Well-being of the Coach Sylvia Hart Frejd, D.Min., Georgia Shaffer, M.A., and Catherine Hart Weber, Ph.D.

Brian Dawkins JUST ADDED

Jeff Myers, Ph.D. JUST ADDED

Kathy Koch, Ph.D. JUST ADDED

•

Daniel Amen, M.D.

George Barna, Ph.D.

Jack Graham, D.Min.

Siang-Yang Tan, Ph.D.

Harold Koenig, M.D.

•

John Townsend, Ph.D.

Curt Thompson, M.D.

Mark Crear, Ph.D.

Shannae Anderson, Ph.D.

Sharon May, Ph.D.

•

•

Zach Clinton, Ph.D.

Tim Clinton, Ed.D.

Karl Benzio, M.D.

Jennifer Ellers, M.A.

Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min.

This year’s conference will feature a dynamic lineup of plenary speakers representing the very best in Christian counseling, coaching, neuroscience, theology, and leadership, including Daniel Amen, George Barna, Jack Graham, Siang-Yang Tan, Harold Koenig, Curt Thompson, Sharon May, Mark Crear, Shannae Anderson, John Townsend, Karl Benzio, Jennifer Ellers, Ron Hawkins, Zach Clinton, and Tim Clinton, with more speakers to be announced. Built around the four core streams of Counseling, Coaching, Recovery, and Marriage and Family, the conference also includes a special focus on neu roscience, brain health, attachment, and human flourishing. Attendees can expect engaging keynote addresses, powerful praise and worship, cutting-edge professional workshops, fellowship, and meaningful networking opportunities throughout the event. Six-hour Specialization Counselor Training & Coaching Certificate Intensives Thursday, September 10, 2026 | Two Sessions: 8:30-11:45 AM and 1:30-4:45 PM • 090. Attachment and Relational Trauma Treatment Specialist: Evidence-based Skills to Repair Trauma and Attachment Wounds Shannae Anderson, Ph.D., and Gary Sibcy, Ph.D. • 091. Navigating the Crossroads: Coaching Through Conflict and Change John Townsend, Ph.D., and Michelle Thompson, M.S., PCC • 092. Internal Family Systems Therapy: A Faith-based Approach Ann-Marie Bowen, M.A., and Kimberly Lee, M.A. • 093. Evidence-based Treatments to Rewire the Anxious Brain Linda Mintle, Ph.D.

•

•

Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 1:30-4:45 PM •

2 Christian Counseling Connection

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A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS

President: TIM CLINTON VP of Publications/Editor-in-Chief: MARK CAMPER Advertising Director: KEISHA QUEEN

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• 017. Parenting Under Pressure: Helping Parents Navigate Their Children’s Mental Health Journey Chinwé Williams, Ph.D., and Mercy Connors, Ph.D. • 018. The Neurobiology of Grief and Loss: Somatic and Experiential Treatment Interventions Jennifer Ellers, M.A., and Kevin Ellers, D.Min. • 019. Abuse, Trauma, and the Emotionally Destructive Relationship Leslie Vernick, M.S.W. • 020. Principled, Professional, and Personal Integration: Psychology and Theology in Clinical Practice Siang-Yang Tan, Ph.D. • 021. Wired for (Dis)connection: How Attachment, Trauma, and ADHD Shape the Emotional Brain E. John Kuhnley, M.D., Anita Kuhnley, Ph.D., and Lisa Compton, Ph.D. • 022. Flourishing in Sustainable Recovery from Pornography Use, Compulsive Sexual Behavior, and Partner Betrayal Trauma Jim Cress, M.A., CSAT, Mike Vaughn, M.A., CSAT, and Sheri Denham, Ph.D., CSAT, CPTT-S Workshop Tracks and Continuing Education The conference will feature 12 workshop tracks, including: 1. Brain Health and Neuroscience 2. Child and Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Health 3. Clinical Assessment, Research, and Evidence-based Practice 4. Compulsive Behaviors and Flourishing in Recovery 5. Counseling Skills, Techniques, and Empirically-supported Treatments 6. Grief, Suicide, and Trauma-informed Care 7. Marriage and Family: Parenting, Family Systems, and Relational Health 8. Mental Health Coaching and Ministry Continuing Education credit will be available for licensed mental health professionals, medical professionals, ministry leaders, and coaches, with the full grid of 48 workshops to be announced soon. The 2026 AACC Faith and Flourishing Mega National Christian Counseling Conference is shaping up to be one of AACC’s most significant events ever and a meaningful beginning to its 40th anniversary celebration. Mark your calen dar now for September 10-12, 2026 , and plan to join the Christian counseling community in Arlington, Texas, for a time of encouragement, connection, and professional growth. ; 9. Positive Psychology, Resilience, and Human Flourishing 10. Professional Life Coaching and Organizational Psychology 11. Spiritual Formation, Biblical Counseling, and Pastoral Care 12. Substance Use, Addictions, and Life Recovery

Published quarterly by American Association of Christian Counselors, Inc., P.O. Box 739, Forest, VA 24551. AACC is an organization of evangelical pro fessional, lay, and pastoral counselors dedicated to promoting excellence and unity in Christian counseling. To ensure the confidentiality of all individuals mentioned in case material, names and identify ing information have been changed. Unsolicited manuscripts and poetry are not accepted. A query letter must be sent first, describing a proposed manuscript. Unfortunately, any unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned. CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CONNECTION grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be photocopied for use in a local church or classroom, provided no more than 250 copies are made, are distributed free, and indicate CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CONNECTION as the source. Advertising deadline for display advertising is approximately six weeks before the month of publication. Please call for exact deadline dates. All advertising must be prepaid. If you have comments or questions about the content of CCC, please direct them to the Senior Editor. The views expressed by the reviewers, authors, or advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of the American Association of Christian Counselors, and a review in this publication does not imply an endorsement. AACC and this publication do not assume responsibility in any way for members’ or readers’ efforts to apply or utilize information, suggestions, or recommendations made by the organization, its members, publications, or other resources. All rights reserved. Copyright 2020.

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m Many people carry a message that God has given them, one that feels deeply personal and unmistakably purposeful, shaped by faith, experience, and les sons learned over time. There is often a quiet sense that this story was never meant to stay private, yet uncertainty follows closely behind that conviction. Knowing that your message matters is one thing, but knowing how to stew ard it faithfully and clearly is another. The Built Different Speakers Academy is a newly launched training expe rience created to help turn calling into clarity. Designed for individuals who sense their message carries purpose but feel unsure how to begin, the Academy provides structure, guidance, and practical tools for developing confidence as a communicator. Rather than focusing on performance or per sonality, it equips speakers to communicate with conviction, credibility, and purpose in settings where their message can truly make an impact. BUILT DIFFERENT SPEAKERS ACADEMY: Challenging You Mentally, Physically, Relationally, and Spiritually Designed for individuals who sense their message carries purpose but feel unsure how to begin, the Academy provides structure, guidance, and practical tools for developing confidence as a communicator.

Christian Counseling Connection 5

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At the heart of the Academy is the understanding that many aspiring speakers do not struggle with the passion or heart behind their message, but with having a clear direction for where to begin. A message God has placed on someone’s heart can easily feel scattered without a framework to sup port it, and even gifted communicators may feel unsure how to shape their story in a way that genuinely serves others and has the potential to grow into a meaningful part-time or full-time calling. The Built Different Speakers Academy addresses this gap by helping speakers clarify the heart of their message, identify the audiences they are called to serve, and communicate with intention rather than uncertainty. The Academy is led by speaker coach and nationally recognized commu nicator, Dustin Rivenbark, with teaching from AACC Vice President, Dr. Zach Clinton, and AACC Chief Executive Officer, Ben Allison. Together, they bring experience from Christian leadership, counseling, ministry, business, and professional speaking, shaping a program that is both faith-centered and grounded in real-world application. Their shared perspective reflects a con viction that effective speaking begins with faithfulness, intentional prepara tion, and a clear sense of calling. A central focus of the Built Different Speakers Academy is helping aspiring speakers develop the confidence, content, and presence to engage any audi ence. The program emphasizes crafting messages that are clear, engaging, and biblically grounded, while also teaching how to integrate personal story, teaching, and practical application in a way that feels natural and authentic. Rather than relying on inspiration alone, the Academy introduces structured approaches that help messages become easier to follow, remember, and apply. The Academy also addresses the realities of speaking in diverse environ ments. Whether communication occurs in churches, schools, conferences, nonprofit settings, or on virtual platforms, effective delivery requires dis cernment and adaptability. Training within the Academy emphasizes the importance of audience engagement, presence, and clarity across various settings, enabling speakers to communicate with confidence while remain ing true to who God has called them to be. Beyond the moment on stage, the Built Different Speakers Academy acknowledges that many speakers feel unprepared for the broader responsi bilities that come with a speaking platform. The program includes guidance

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New Growth and Flourishing Through Forgiveness and Hope and Healing for Anxiety Workbooks Available!

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AACC Publishing is proud to announce the release of two brand-new workbooks designed to support healing, growth, and emotional well-being in today’s challeng ing cultural climate: Growth and Flourishing Through Forgiveness: Finding Freedom and Grace, and Hope and Healing for Anxiety: A Guide to Manage Stress and Overcome Anxiety. Together, these resources address two of the most common struggles that counselors and coaches encounter, offering practical, faith-centered tools that meet clients where they are. Growth and Flourishing Through Forgiveness is authored by Dr. Everett Worthington, Jr., whose decades of research and clinical work have shaped the field of for giveness studies. In a world filled with relational tension, conflict, and lingering hurt, forgiveness can feel confus

ing, unrealistic, or even unsafe. This workbook moves beyond surface-level encouragement to explore forgive ness in a thoughtful, research-informed, and biblically grounded way. Drawing on both Scripture and evidence-based best practices, the workbook introduces readers to forgive ness heroes from biblical and contemporary contexts, while also examining what research reveals about the emotional and physical impact of forgiveness. Self assessments help individuals understand their current level of forgiveness, while practical exercises explore alternatives for moments when forgiveness feels out of reach. Readers are also guided through strategies to reduce the internal “injustice gap” and walk through a proven method for self-forgiveness. Rather than rushing

8 Christian Counseling Connection

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the process, this workbook honors the complexity of pain while gently pointing toward freedom and grace. The second release, Hope and Healing for Anxiety , is written by Dr. Linda Mintle, a nationally rec ognized mental health expert with extensive experience helping indi viduals navigate anxiety. Rooted in Philippians 4:6, this workbook acknowledges the gap many people feel between biblical reassurance and lived experience. Anxiety often shows up not as a passing worry but as a persistent weight marked by physical symptoms, racing thoughts, and emotional exhaustion. With clinical insight and personal understanding, Dr. Mintle guides readers through the many layers of anxiety, including psychological pat terns, physical responses, relational strain, and spiritual struggle. This is not a workbook of quick answers or feel-good quotes. It is a trusted com panion that creates space for hones ty, reflection, and practical growth. Through Scripture-based encourage ment and clinically grounded strate gies, readers are invited to loosen the grip of anxiety and reconnect with the steady presence of God. Both workbooks are designed to be used as companion resources within counseling and coaching relationships. They offer structured reflection, practical exercises, and accessible language that support deeper conversations between pro fessionals and those they serve. Counselors and coaches can inte grate these workbooks into sessions to reinforce insight, encourage between-session growth, and pro vide clients with tools they can return to again and again. The Forgiveness and Anxiety work books reflect AACC Publishing’s ongoing commitment to equipping caregivers with resources that inte grate faith, clinical wisdom, and com passionate care. These new releases provide timely support for individuals seeking healing and growth, as well as practical tools for professionals who walk alongside them. ;

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Christian Counseling Connection 9

FROM THE PRESIDENT

FAMILY TENSION, PARENTAL ALIENATION, AND THE COST OF BROKEN BONDS Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT, BCPCC i I have begun to notice a troubling pattern in conversa tions with parents, counselors, pastors, and ministry leaders across the country. An increasing number of families are describing a sudden and painful breakdown in the parent-child relationship. A son or daughter who was once close becomes distant, hostile, or completely cut off, often with little explanation and no clear path toward reconciliation. What once felt rare now seems increasingly common, and it should concern all of us who care about families. by my own child.” “My child says they feel unsafe with me.” “They’ve been told I’m the problem.” “They’ve gone no contact.” You probably see these phrases online or hear them in your counseling office, and they signal a funda mental shift in how we are talking about family conflict. There are times when distance is necessary, and wisdom requires us to name real harm honestly. However, not every broken relationship fits that explanation. Some reflect a deeper unraveling between parent and child— the kind that calls for patience, humility, and careful listening rather than quick conclusions or automatic affirmation. In many of these conversations, parents share a com mon thread and language. “I’ve been cut off and ghosted

10 Christian Counseling Connection

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Parental alienation occurs when a child is gradually influenced for whatever reason to reject a loving, non-abusive parent, most often in the context of high-conflict divorce or ongoing family tension. This influence may include repeated criticism, exaggerated fear, restricted communication, or, in the case of divorce, the pressure to choose sides.

Naming the Scope of the Problem A study published in Children and Youth Services Review examined the prevalence of adults who are targets of parental alienation. 1 The findings are sobering. More than 30% of parents in the United States and Canada reported feeling alienated from a child by the other parent. 2 The study also estimated that approximately 22 million American parents have been targets of parental alienating behaviors without engaging in similar behav iors themselves. 3 The impact on children is equally concerning. Based on this data, researchers estimated that more than 3.8 million children in the U.S. may be moderately to severe ly alienated from a parent. 4 These numbers represent families and relationships who are experiencing the weight of this grief and loss. The emotional toll on target ed parents is profound—sad, really—and deeply disturb ing. Nearly half of the parents who reported being alien ated from a child indicated they had considered suicide within the previous year. 5 This is not simply a legal or relational issue, but a serious mental health and pastoral concern that demands our attention. What is “Parental Alienation?” Parental alienation is not a new concern. The term was first introduced in the mid-1980s by the late child psychiatrist, Dr. Richard Gardner, but has never been recognized as a diagnosable mental health disorder and does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM-5 ) or the International Classification of Diseases ( ICD-11 ). What is often missed, however, is that the behaviors commonly associated with parental alienation were documented long before Gardner’s work. An article from the American Bar Association points out that similar patterns appear in divorce and custody disputes as early as the 1940s, long before the language existed to describe them. 6 Parental alienation occurs when a child is grad ually influenced for whatever reason to reject a lov ing, non-abusive parent, most often in the context of high-conflict divorce or ongoing family tension. This influence may include repeated criticism, exaggerated fear, restricted communication, or, in the case of divorce, the pressure to choose sides. Over time, the child’s understanding of the relationship begins to narrow. One parent is increasingly experienced as safe and good, while the other is viewed through a growing sense of fear, anger, or rejection. There is less room for complexity

or mixed feelings, and even past experiences can begin to feel different as the child’s perceptions slowly shift. This is not about dismissing real abuse or minimizing the need for protection. Scripture and wisdom are clear that safety must always come first. However, in cases of parental alienation, the child’s rejection is not grounded in actual danger. It is shaped by manipulation and rela tional pressure, often leaving the child with an all-or nothing view of relationships that fractures their sense of self. Ghosting and the Rise of “Going No Contact” Culture One factor that cannot be ignored is the growing influ ence of online culture and the rise in the use of artificial intelligence. Social media platforms, podcasts, and self help voices increasingly promote “going no contact” as a primary pathway to healing. In these spaces, cutting off parents or extended family is often framed as empower ment or self-care, with little attention given to long-term relational or spiritual consequences. For some, this language gives voice to real pain, and that matters. But what is often lost is the distinction between setting wise boundaries and severing relation ships entirely. Online narratives tend to flatten complex family systems into simple categories of “toxic” and “unsafe,” leaving little room for repentance, forgiveness, growth, or change. This trend can also intersect with parental alienation in subtle ways. When one parent reinforces “no contact” language, presents themselves as the only safe relation ship, or frames separation as the child’s independent choice, manipulation can be masked as empowerment. What looks like autonomy on the surface may actually be a loyalty bind underneath. While distance may initially bring relief, unresolved relational rupture often resurfaces later as grief, confu sion, or difficulty forming secure attachments. Identity is shaped in relationships. When those bonds are broken prematurely or unjustly, the loss is rarely neutral. What Does Scripture Actually Teach? This is where Christian counselors, pastors, and coaches must tread carefully. The Bible does not ignore family conflict. It is honest about broken homes, divided loyal ties, and painful separation. At the same time, Scripture consistently calls God’s people toward honor, patience, forgiveness, and reconciliation whenever possible.

Christian Counseling Connection 11

FROM THE PRESIDENT

A Call to Faithful Care Families matter to God. Relationships are central to His design. When par ent-child bonds are fractured, the work of healing is rarely quick or easy, but it is holy work. The same God who made the human mind knows how to renew it, for “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2, NIV). I am often reminded of our missional call at the AACC… to remain stead fast in our commitment to Scripture and in building on wise, evidence-based best practices. Science can describe the processes of the mind and brain, yet hope, healing, and flourishing come through a personal relationship with God. When guided by our faith and how practice works together in the way we care for others, hearts begin to soften, minds begin to clear, and life can start to flourish again—for us and for those we serve. We are in a moment in our culture that too quickly celebrates separation and division. May we be people who speak truth carefully, love deeply, and labor faithfully for resto ration wherever possible. ;

The command to honor father and mother appears throughout Scripture. Honoring as adults does not mean excusing sin or enduring abuse. It may include boundaries, confrontation, and, at times, dis tance, but Scripture never presents relational cutoff as a casual or pre ferred outcome. Paul’s words in Roman s 12:18 (NIV) remain instructive: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” That phrase acknowledges limits. Peace is not always achievable. However, it also calls us to exhaust every avenue of grace before abandon ing the relationship altogether. Scripture invites discernment, not default. Boundaries can be biblical. Estrangement should be a last resort, not a cultural reflex. Guidance for People Helpers For those of us who serve families, this moment requires wisdom. Not every story of estrangement is the same. Some involve real harm and need protection. Others involve profound misunderstanding, unre solved trauma, or manipulation that has gone unchallenged. Our role is not to validate or affirm every impulse to cut off, nor to shame those who are struggling with the pain and weight of a deci sion like this. Instead, it is to slow the process down, ask careful questions, and help people distinguish between boundaries that protect and walls that permanently divide, allowing relationships to flourish. We must resist the temptation to offer overly simple explanations or quick fixes, or to minimize what families are expe riencing, and instead respond in a way that faithfully holds both truth and grace together. This often means encouraging careful assessment, documentation, and collaboration with trained clini cians and legal professionals when appropriate. It also means helping individuals examine their own hearts before making decisions that may have lifelong relational consequences.

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Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT, BCPCC, is president of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), the world’s largest and most diverse Christian counseling asso ciation. He also serves as Executive Director of the Global Center for Human Flourishing and Professor Emeritus at Liberty University. Dr. Clinton is president of Light Coun seling, a national clinical counseling organization that provides Christ-centered behavioral healthcare for indi viduals, families, and American heroes. For seven years, Dr. Clinton extended his ministry as co-host of Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk, heard on more than 1,400 radio outlets daily, and now hosts a weekend television program, “Sunday the Road Forward,” seen on Real America’s Voice News streaming service and numerous platforms. Licensed as a professional counselor and a marriage and family ther apist, Dr. Clinton is recognized as a world leader on mental health and relationship issues. He spends much of his time working with Christian leaders and professional athletes. Together, Dr. Clinton and his son, Dr. Zach Clinton, host a new radio broadcast and podcast titled “Life, Love, Faith, & Family,” focusing on mental health and relationships. Dr. Clinton has authored or edited more than 30 books.

Endnotes 1 Harman, J.J., Leder-Elder, S., & Biringen, Z. (2019). Prevalence of adults who are the targets of parental alienating behaviors and their impact. Children and Youth Services Review , 106, 104471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104471

2 Harman, J.J., Leder-Elder, S., & Biringen, Z. (2019). 3 Harman, J.J., Leder-Elder, S., & Biringen, Z. (2019). 4 Harman, J.J., Leder-Elder, S., & Biringen, Z. (2019). 5 Harman, J.J., Leder-Elder, S., & Biringen, Z. (2019).

6 See, e.g., Westmeath v. Westmeath: The wars between the Westmeaths, 1812-1857, in Stone, L. (1993). Broken lives: Separation and divorce in England, 1660-1857 , 284; Levy, D.M. (1943). Maternal overprotection , Columbia University Press, 153.

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CLINICAL PRACTICE

Permission to Heal: Why Christians Can Embrace Christian Psychology Without Compromise from the Society for Christian Psychology CHRISTIAN PSYCH NOTES Amy Oberg, Ph.D.

m Many Christians feel hesitant, or even guilty, about engag ing with psychology. Somewhere along the way, we picked up the idea that therapy meant we did not trust God enough, or that psychology was just a secular substitute for the Holy Spirit. However, what if we have misunderstood? What if psychology—when grounded in a Christian worl dview—can be one way to live out faith and participate in God’s healing work in the world? In 2020, I was a women’s pastor on fire for Jesus, wanting to rescue hearts and see redemptive healing. The world had shut down, the Church had become one-on one counseling sessions, and I kept bumping into peo ple’s mental health. One day, a suicidal girl came to my office, the next a 62-year-old hoarder, and the week after, a 24-year-old woman who had just been diagnosed with

bipolar II schizoaffective disorder—she was looking to her pastor for help. Unfortunately, a Bible degree does not include the study of abnormal psychology. I was at the top of my giftings with a four-year degree in biblical studies, but was officially inadequate. I understood Jesus needed to be at the center of treatment, but there is no way to pray away or ignore abnormal psychology. I needed tools and education, which led to a master’s degree in psychology as a way to understand the body and brain connection as it relates to the spirit. The approach here is no different from sharing the good news with someone hungry or na ked—we feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and then share the Gospel with them. In turn, we do not step over people’s mental health to give them Jesus—we meet them where they are and walk with them as Jesus would.

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We are made to glorify God with our lives— not just through our words or our ministry, but through how we live in our bodies and relationships. That means how we manage stress, how we care for our health, how we regulate emotional states, how we treat others, and how we handle our stories all matter deeply.

Christian psychology is not about self-help or spiritual shortcuts. It is a way of seeing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—as created by God, broken by sin, and being restored through grace. In this article, I aim to present three clear reasons why Christians not only have permission to explore psychology but also why we may need to do so. 1. From Image-bearers to Co-healers: We are Designed for Wholeness and Mission. At the core of Christian belief is the truth that people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). That means every part of us—our thoughts, emotions, bodies, habits, and relation ships—matters to God. Jesus did not come just to forgive sin; He came to restore what was broken… the brokenness created by sin. That includes how we feel, think, care for our bodies, and relate to others. Learning to love God and love people is harder when brokenness takes over life, and Christlikeness does not feel possible. The imago Dei is not just a theological label—it is an ontological reality. It gives us a framework for dignity, design, and direction. Christian psychologists such as Henry Cloud and John Townsend have helped normalize the connection between healing and holiness. In How People Grow , they argue that emotional healing and spir itual formation are inseparable—that God designed us to grow through grace, truth, and time (Cloud & Townsend, 2001). In Changes That Heal , Cloud outlines how people are restored to wholeness by re-establishing boundaries, bonding, and responsibility—each rooted in our design as image-bearers (Cloud, 1992).

Psychology, when grounded in biblical truth, helps us understand the human condition—pain, patterns, and purpose. It gives language to what is happening under the surface and helps us move toward restoration. Adlerian psychology, in particular, emphasizes encouragement, purpose, and social belonging (Adler, 1931). The concept and ideas echo what Scripture says about being called, connected, and made for community. When Christian counselors use psychology, they are not stepping away from faith. They are stepping into the mission of God ( missio Dei ), becoming part of His work to bring healing to others (Baik & Kim, 2024). Christian psychology is not about fixing people; it is about walking with them toward wholeness—honoring the image of God in each person and cooperating with the Spirit’s work to make them whole again. 2. Renewal of the Mind is a Christian Mandate. Romans 12:2 (NIV) calls us to be “… transformed by the renewing of your mind….” That is not a metaphor—it is a lived, daily process of rethinking and relearning. Psychol ogy can offer tools to challenge lies or agreements we have unknowingly allowed, regulate emotions, understand trauma, and practice new ways of thinking that align with truth. I am drawn to Alfred Adler because he believed that people are motivated by a sense of purpose. He did not see us as victims of the past, but as meaning-makers and path-makers for others to see Jesus through us. That res onates with the Gospel, as our lives are a living, breathing testimony of Christ. Our sin or our wounds do not define

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When missio Dei shapes our destination, we under stand that healing is not a private escape—it is part of par ticipating in God’s redemptive mission on earth. The goal is not simply to feel better but to be reformed into Christ likeness for the sake of others. Christian psychology, then, is not a reaction to secular models—it is a return to God’s original vision for soul care: transformation through truth, grace, and community. This is not symptom management. It is soul alignment. It is not just coping—it is becoming. Christian psychology calls us to walk with people, not around their pain but through it, toward the kind of lasting change that reflects the heart and character of Jesus. We are not just helping people survive—we are help ing them remember who they are and whose they are. We are helping them grow anyway, even in the face of deep pain. The abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10) is not a pain-free existence; it is a life full of purpose, presence, and perseverance. Christian soul care, when grounded in theology and guided by compassion, becomes a sacred act of worship. It teaches people to feel fully, love deeply, and live truthfully—not as self-help, but as a response to being made new in Christ. So here is your permission: You can love Jesus and seek help. You can read the Bible and learn from Adler. You can trust the Holy Spirit and use practical tools to help your body and mind heal. It is not either/or… it is both/and. Healing is holy, and psychology can help… and God’s glory is at the center of it all. ; Amy Oberg, Ph.D., is a Cognitive

c us—we are called, chosen, and invited into something bigger by following Jesus. Christian psychology does not treat emotions or mental health like side issues. It sees them as part of the process of sanctification. Healing is not the opposite of holiness—it is often the path toward it. Larry Crabb, in Finding God , wrote that many people come to counseling looking for relief when what they really need is redemption (1993). It strikes me as obvious that God came to redeem, but coun seling offers a perspective on how God desires to restore humanity with heaven in mind. We are not just trying to feel better—we are trying to be formed into Christ’s like ness. 3. Healing is an Act of Worship. We are made to glorify God with our lives—not just through our words or our ministry, but through how we live in our bodies and relationships. That means how we manage stress, how we care for our health, how we regulate emotional states, how we treat others, and how we handle our stories all matter deeply. The Bible says our bodies are “temples of the Holy Spir it” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NIV). That includes our brains, ner vous systems, sleep cycles, and trauma responses. When we understand those parts of ourselves through psycholo gy, we can steward them well. That is not unspiritual—that is worship. Jesus healed bodies, calmed minds, and restored relationships. He did not separate the spiritual from the emotional or physical. He saw people as whole. Chris tian psychology follows that same model. We do not just want people to pray more—we want them to heal deeply. Healing is not always fast or flashy. Sometimes it looks like sitting in grief, telling the truth, setting healthy boundaries, learning new concepts, gaining perspective, growing in maturity, releasing justice to God through forgiveness, and letting God meet us wherever we are. Sometimes it means unlearning what protected us in one season but is now holding us back. Crabb reminds us that healing does not always mean the pain goes away—but it does mean the pain finds purpose. Conclusion: Don’t Be Afraid to Look Deeper Christians do not need to be afraid of psychology. We need to be thoughtful, discerning, and grounded in Scripture— but we also need to be willing to look beneath the surface. Psychology is not about replacing God. It is about helping see more clearly how God has made us—and how He might be working in our lives. Christian psychology is not about adding a Bible verse to a therapy session. It is about reimagining what care, formation, and healing look like when Christ is not a sup plement but the starting point. When we begin with the imago Dei , we recognize that every person carries inherent value, divine design, and untapped potential. We are not just helping broken people function—we are honoring sa cred image-bearers whose wholeness reflects God’s glory.

Psychologist, Board-Certified Christian Counselor, and founder of the mental health center, Hope and Health Hub, where she helps people grow, heal, and thrive. Known for her down-to-earth wisdom and deep faith, Amy equips others to sow and grow sanity , stability , and sacredness in the midst of real-life struggles. Dr. AO has five published books and two published therapeutic exercises. For more information, visit AmyOberg.com.

References Adler, A. (1931). What life should mean to you (A. Porter, Trans.). Little, Brown and Company. (Original work published in 1930). Baik, C.H., & Kim, S. (2024). Missio Dei . In: B.N. Wolfe et al., eds. St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology. University of St Andrews. Available at: https:// www.saet.ac.uk/Christianity/MissioDei (accessed 10 June 2025). Cloud, H. (1992). Changes that heal: Four practical steps to a happier, healthier you . Zondervan. Cloud, H., & Townsend, J. (2001). How people grow: What the Bible reveals about personal growth . Zondervan. Crabb, L. (1993). Finding God . Zondervan. New International Version®, NIV® Holy Bible. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

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John Trent, Ph.D., and Kari Stageberg, M.B.A. HELPING YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS MOVE from Broken to Blessed

t The heart remembers the words, the pictures, and the moments when we realized we had received or had not received the Blessing. In many ways, the heart is like an online storage drive where we keep all the photos we have taken—a drive we have not had the time to sort through and organize. Day after day, week after week, year after year, pic tures are dropped into that drive. Pictures of birthdays, Christmas mornings, the first Little League game, soccer practice, piano recital, the last day of school party, an exhilarating or embarrassing moment, the overexposed, underexposed, faded, blurred—the stories of our lives.

By the time we reach adulthood, the drive is filled with memories. We take those memories with us every where we go. Pictures of a teacher’s praise… or ridicule. Memories of a classmate’s kindness… or cruelty. Even more important to us, memories of a parent’s smile… or scowl. Of hearing those priceless words, “I love you, I’m so proud of you”… or still longing and waiting to hear them for the first time. These pictures and memories can carry a blessing… or convey a curse. In particular, if we missed the Blessing from our par ents, there is tremendous power in those negative pic tures. They can push us down, defeat us, and continue

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to discourage us—even now, perhaps decades after we have moved across the street or across the country to escape those pictures. However, realize this: If we missed the Blessing and we want to heal personally and be free to bless others, we must understand the sources that have shaped our lives. And not just for our clients’ lives, but our own lives as well, if missing the Blessing has been our story. Let us begin by asking: Did you receive love, affirmation, and encouragement during your childhood? Was there the kind of support in your past that filled and lifted your heart and mind? Were there peo ple who acted like locks in a river and helped raise you up and move you forward? Or was your past full of those who were like anchors, throwing words and actions on you that weighed you down in real ways or kept you stuck or struggling to feel genuinely accepted and chosen? It Starts with The Gift of The Blessing If we received or missed the Blessing, we are speaking about being given or withheld several elements. For years, based on my (John) doc toral dissertation and our first book, The Blessing , we have studied, writ ten, and spoken about the five elements of the Blessing. These elements predate the renowned psychologist John Bowlby’s attachment theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) that aligns with Scripture. The five elements of the Blessing are: 1) Appropriate Meaningful Touch, 2) Spoken Words, 3) Attaching High Value, 4) Special Future, and 5) Genuine Commitment . You can see the Blessing being given or withheld in families pic tured in the Old Testament or the baptism of Jesus, where His Heavenly Father speaks words of blessing over Him, “… This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17, NKJV). These five elements still provide the loving bonds children, men, and women long for today. However, what if we missed them? For example, we may want to bless someone with a “special future” (one of the five), but we will often fail if we do not believe we have a special future ourselves. So our bless ing becomes paper-thin and tears into pieces when we try to hand it off to another. For decades now, we have focused our ministry, StrongFamilies. com, on helping people, parents, couples, singles, and even teams give those elements of the Blessing to others. However, what we see today is crushing evidence of an epidemic of brokenness in our culture. We will absolutely continue to focus on sharing HOW to bless others, but there is something extremely important that many people need today—a way to move from BROKEN TO BLESSED in their own life stories. The Journey We Challenge You and Your Clients to Take In our error-filled lives, as well as in the priceless, unfailing words and pictures from Scripture, we lay out a journey on how to move others, and how God moved us, from Broken to Blessed. A journey that we believe, in Christ, can see water rise above its source. That means that if we have missed the Blessing that we need so much, the love of God, expressed in His only Son, “… who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing…” (Ephesians 1:3, NKJV), can lift our heads, pull us out of the mud, and wash away any feelings of shame and hopelessness. Here, then, is a shortened picture of what is captured in our book, Your Journey from Broken to Blessed . We hope you can use this outline, based on the first book we have specifically written for those doing life without the Blessing’s loving bonds.

However, realize this: If we missed the Blessing and we want to heal personally and be free to bless others, we must understand the sources that have shaped our lives.

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