Counsels on Mental Health

Counsel #6 — Role Of Medical Intervention

Picture: Counsel #6 — Role Of Medical Intervention CMH 24.1

While virtually everyone will improve their emotional health by lifestyle changes, a serotonin imbalance or situational anxiety that hangs on for a month or more may require medicine along with therapy.^[22] It is important to find a therapist and care provider that understands and appreciates your values. Here are some questions to ask a potential therapist: CMH 24.2

• Do you have any experience or training in Christian counseling?
• What is your approach to Christian counseling?
• How do you integrate your faith into your practice?
• Are you comfortable discussing my faith with me?
• What are your views on the relationship between faith and mental health?
• Do you have any resources or recommendations for Christian clients?
• What experience have you had treating anxiety, fears, or trauma?

“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Luke 5:31 NKJV CMH 24.3

“Many of the diseases from which people suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death.” Ellen White in The Ministry of Health and Healing, p. 132.1 CMH 24.4

Reflect: In what ways could a therapist be helpful to one’s mental health? In what ways might the “wrong” therapist adversely affect one’s mental health? CMH 24.5