Faith Therapy

As a therapist with a background in Christian theology, I seek to understand my clients through all aspects of their struggles with mental health disorders. While I may not be a biblical counselor, I cannot fully comprehend my potential clients without the lens of the Scriptures. The Bible provides a basis for understanding the origin of humanity and its flaws and difficulties.

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In the Jewish tradition, it is taught that Adam opened the Pandora's box to release chaos and destruction unto the world (Genesis 3). Adam's mistake created a domino effect throughout the Bible. After the fall of Adam, total depravity fell upon the human race, as God covered Adam and Eve from their nakedness and removed the tree of life. The growth of sin in Genesis continued to reveal murder, betrayal, jealousy, and other negative traits throughout the chapters. However, it was also one man, Jesus Christ, who brought salvation to the world (1 Cor. 15:20-28).

 

The New Testament provides written accounts of Jesus Christ, who healed the lame, healed the blind, and rose from the dead (Jn 5 1:1-29; Mk 8:22-26; John 20: 1-10). Jesus revealed miracles to crowds, Pharisees, and Sadducees, and he also gave life lessons and teachings to them. One particular lesson of Jesus that has stood out to me as a therapist was found in Matthew 22: 34-40. The Sadducees attempted to have Jesus say something heretical that was against Mosaic Law or that went against the Roman Empire (Matthew 22:34). The Sadducees found a lawyer who then asked Jesus an important question, "What is the greatest law (Matt 22:25-36)?"

Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Mt 22:37–40).” Jesus Christ shared that loving your God was the most important commandment, followed by, we must love our neighbors as ourselves.

Throughout the whole Bible, readers cannot deny the imprint of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness towards humanity. The Bible teaches us that we are “saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Act 15:11). God has lavished his mercy towards mankind, and He easily forgives them of all trespasses (Eph 2:4-5; 1 John 1:9). Sadly, the world has become calloused towards society and ourselves. Grace, mercy, and forgiveness are hard concepts to practice.

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In such a fallen world, humanity needs answers and guidance through such dark times. As a therapist, I strive to follow Jesus' example to love God with all my heart and love my neighbors as well. My goal is to help people through their trauma, guide marriages past their negative phase, bring clarity to miscommunications, and help families work through chaos. Arty Morales, a Marriage and Family Therapist, my aim is to bring clarity and peace through counseling to those who are lost and weak, as well as those seeking guidance. While not all my clients are Christians, my message in any therapy session reflects my beliefs as seen through the lens of the Old Testament and the discovery of Jesus Christ's most important commandment. While I am not claiming to be a biblical counselor, my beliefs and my roots come from Christian theology, and that is how I carry myself both personally and professionally.