Encouragement, Inspiration, and Wisdom from Professional Christian Counselors
If our understanding shifts from mental illness being classified solely as sin and we create space to think about how it may also be the result of living in a broken world with bodies that get sick and break, that would mean there needs to be a different way of responding. So how does a counselor encourage you to respond if someone talks about their mental health with you?
Shame was the topic that was addressed at our latest Frontlines: Counseling Conversations for Church Leader seminar. This blog series serves as a follow up to that event and is also an attempt to confront shame head-on.
So how do you decide when or how to discuss family secrets? Here are three factors you should consider before “letting the cat out of the bag”.
Ask anyone who uses porn or smokes weed or some other life-controlling behavior how they feel soon after his or her latest use and the common answer is ashamed, embarrassed, fearful or worthless. Those specific feelings: shame, embarrassment, fear or worthlessness are among our most painful feelings.
Heritage Counseling Center Blog 