Christian Counseling Del Aire, CA. Find a Christian Therapist Near You.

What do you want to stand for? This is what the heart of my work is as well as the heart of travelers of spiritual journeys. I want to help you take action that you take with full awareness, openness to experience and fully engaged. I specialize in moving towards what's important, and as a former minister I can help you view the spiritual inside of the dark and shadowy places as well as the light.

Faith and spirituality can provide comfort and meaning to those guided by their beliefs. I was raised in a Christian household myself so I have an appreciation for the values instilled by religion, the importance of tradition, and the strength of community. My approach to counseling is humanistic and welcoming of all spiritualities. Though I do not incorporate any specific pastoral counsel, I encourage my spiritual clients to draw on their beliefs during the counseling process.

My personal approach to counseling is grounded in my own personal faith. God has a process from taking us from broken and hurting and redeeming us through a beautiful transformation experience. As believers we trust in the process of how God uses real people and relationships to help us heal. There is a plan and purpose for your life, together in the safety of the session we can create goals aligned with God's will.

I hold a masters degree in psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary and am committed to the integration of faith and psychology. I, however, do not provide pastoral counseling. I am committed to walking with individuals and couples in any stage of their faith journey, believers and non-believers alike, to facilitate a process of authentic self-discovery and freedom. I am interested in how your faith has informed who you are what you are wrestling with today. The whole range of human emotions, longings and desires are validated and explored in my practice in order to participate fully in the journey of healing.

If spirituality is an important part of your life and you would like talk about it in your therapy sessions, then Transpersonal counseling can be very helpful for you. I incorporate prayer, meditation, dreams, mystical and shamanic experiences in my practice. Feel comfortable to talk about spiritual matters with a spiritually oriented psychologist.

I offer this service to inter-faith marriages (Judaeo-Christian) True spirituality expresses itself in the deepest and most profound aspects of our lives, that which affects us in the depths of our personal existence. Both in terms of the communities of faith to which we belong and the personal beliefs to which we are committed, we are guided and informed by the sacred values and spiritual teachings of our personal faith. As such, faith can be a foundation element of the help offered in therapeutic work. For whatever is important in determining the path of one's life must also be reflected in the practices of one's therapy.

I offer Christian counseling to individuals, couples, and/or families who value their relationship with Christ and understand that he plays a primary role in the change they seek. I have found the importance of integrating spirituality and current best practice psychotherapy treatment approaches in the healing process. My therapy is grounded on sound psychotherapy approaches for change with a solid integration of Christian principles and biblical connections. Areas of change are discussed, assessed and resolved in a compassionate and collaborative manner so you can achieve spiritual. Emotional health, wellness and happiness.

My Christian faith informs the way I view and practice counseling. God is the ultimate Counselor, and he is the one who brings about healing, change, and growth. I believe God uses counselors to help people experience the freedom, love, and joy he offers. Sharing openly about your faith and your feelings toward God is not only helpful but vital. I create a safe space for you to talk about all aspects of your faith journey--the good and the not so good. I rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and lead me so that our work together will reflect his purposes for your life and ultimately his Kingdom.

The presence of God in therapy can be experienced when there is a more direct and open dialogue. As we become more present to each other a sacred space is created. The "space between" where we meet each other and the possibility of the Divine presence. This healing presence has power to transform you and your circumstances. As the philosopher Martin Buber once said,"Religion is Presence."

As a Christian who is also a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, I chose to receive my undergraduate and graduate degree from a Christian university. I did this because I believe that God has designed all of the proven therapeutic priniciples and truly wants to help hurting people. This training has helped me to utilize a Christian World View to solve psychological problems. As most of my clients are Christians, I pray for them before each session and with them if they desire.

Some persons are concerned that couples counseling or psychotherapy may challenge their faith and they want to work with someone who supports, understands and even shares the importance of faith. Dr. Brainerd also holds a Masters degree in Christian Theology along with his doctorate in Clinical Psychology and not only values faith but can also help with persons who have found that sometime in their life, religion has hurt them.

It is important to integrate your thoughts, beliefs, emotions and values in order to achieve a sense of well being. When one of those gets out of alignment it can create great internal conflict and even a spiritual crisis. The focus of therapy is primarily about your relationships and emotional life, however, if you choose to explore it, we will also consider the role your faith plays in who you are.

As a Christian therapist I understand and appreciate the importance of a Biblical focused world view when dealing with life's concerns. In an atmosphere of acceptance, trust, honesty and support, I seek to integrate a Christ-Centered theology with the very best clinical psychology has to offer. Because we are a wonderful integration of spirit, mind, body and emotion, I believe psychotherapy must attend to the complete human being just as Christ taught us through His example. Your relationship with God is the most central part of your life around which everything else revolves. Biblical based therapy can help deepen that relationship and help you find your needed answers.