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What is your Philosophy of Counselling?
- How do psychology and theology intersect?
- What about Spiritual Warfare?
- What about medication?
- What about Diet and Exercise?
- What counselling method do you use?
- Does my counsellor have vocational ministry experience?
- How do I access Counselling Services? Can I request a specific counsellor?
- I am underemployed. What if I cannnot pay the full fee?
1. What is your Philosophy
of Counselling?
Counselling assists people in life situations where they
feel stuck, overwhelmed, or defeated.
Even people who have good coping skills and strong faith get into
situations where their normal coping mechanisms and support systems are not
adequate. Even our faith can be challenged during difficult times. When life stressors exceed our ability to
cope we need somewhere to turn for help. At Healing Streams we believe
counselling can be a tool to help restore relationships to ourselves, to
others, and to God. We walk along side
you in your journey to provide support, assist you in getting “unstuck” in your thinking, and help
you process the challenges to your faith.
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2. How do psychology and
theology intersect?
Theology is a study of our understanding of God and God’s
relationship with us, his creation.
Psychology is a much narrower field of study which looks at human beings
relationship to themselves (self-awareness, self-esteem etc), their relationship
to others, and their relationship to their environment (anything from family of
origin issues, to poverty, to spirituality).
As created beings, each of us has a “self” which was created to bear
God’s image. Unredeemed, that self
reflects God in distorted ways. As we
are redeemed and transformed, our prayer is that we reflect God’s image more
clearly in the way we treat our “selves”, the way we treat “others” and the way
we relate to God. Sometimes people are
concerned that paying attention to the “self” is navel gazing or
“selfish”. Leanne Payne asks, “Why are
we so busy hating the soul that God died to redeem?” There is a difference between self-absorption
and humble self-awareness. Humility, in
its truest form is “thinking neither too highly nor too little of one’s self”. Humility in its truest form is built on
healthy self-awareness and submitting to the shepherding of Christ.
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3. What about Spiritual
Warfare?
The Bible tells us that “our struggle is not against things
seen but against things unseen, against principalities and powers.” Some Christians interpret this literally,
others interpret this to be systemic powers i.e. greed, abuse of power,
materialism, while others view these comments as psychological. Healing Streams counsellors have different
ways that they talk about “things unseen”.
Some will use the language of spiritual warfare, some will ask if a
certain belief or behaviour draws you toward “light” (as in Jesus is the light
of the world) or to “darkness” ( ).
Some counsellors will refer to scripture passages in their work while
others will simply reflect healthy theology.
All of our counsellors are Christians who believe in the saving grace of
Jesus Christ for themselves and others.
Healing Streams counsellors seek to help the client
understand their issue from multiple perspectives. Some clients only see their issue from a
spiritual warfare perspective (Satan is tempting me with pornography) but also
need to understand their own responsibility (I’m choosing to view internet
pornography because I have a deep need for intimacy and I’m afraid to risk
expressing that need in my relationships).
A client may be despondent, unmotivated, lethargic and view this
entirely as a clinical depression requiring medication. Healing Streams counsellors would encourage
the client to consult with a medical professional while at the same time look
at the beliefs and lifestyle patterns that have led to this current
crisis. Healing Streams counsellors seek
to address the client’s portion of responsibility in the problem, the spiritual
meaning, and the systemic issues that contribute to the current situation. If, after discussing this with your
counsellor you would like further discernment or prayer, some counsellors are
equipped to pray with you about spiritual warfare issues and others will refer
you to a trusted minister.
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4. What about medication?
Research studies show that medication and counselling are
both effective in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Medication may be indicated in situations
where the depression or anxiety is interfering with a person’s ability to
function in their normal responsibilities and/or is unable to think clearly
enough to engage in counselling. The
counsellor may discuss these factors with you but medication is always a
decision you make together with a health care professional. Healing Streams counsellors do not “push
drugs” - we “invite people into health and self-care” and do not want to see
someone unnecessarily suffer if they could use the energy they put into
“coping” into getting healthy instead.
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5. What about Diet
and Exercise?
Research shows what we know intuitively, that diet and
exercise impact our health and wellbeing.
When we eat primarily highly processed white foods we feel sluggish and
tired. When we eat a healthy diet of
greens, fruits, and proteins – we have more energy. Healing Streams counsellors are not trained nutritional
counsellors and will be happy to refer you to a professional if diet appears to
be a factor in your struggle.
Likewise, exercise has been shown to be as effective as
medication and counselling in alleviating the symptoms of depression in some
cases. Client’s may want to explore the
relationship between how they treat their bodies, how they treat themselves and
how they feel.
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6. What counselling
method do you use?
Healing Streams counsellors do not adhere to a single
approach. Indeed research shows that the
most important variable in the outcome of therapy is not the therapeutic
approach but rather the client-therapist relationship. Healing Streams counsellors are selected for
their proven record of being trusted companions with Christian leaders in their
life-struggles. All counsellors must be referred by denominational or charitable
organizational leaders and have at least 10 years of counselling experience. We are Counsellors, Psychologists, Social
Workers, Marriage, Child and Family Counsellors, and a psychiatrist. We want you to know that when you come to see
a Healing Streams counsellor they are there to serve you, to help you reach
your goals, to walk along side you as you journey through a difficult patch in
life. We may challenge you, but only in
the context of prizing you as your heavenly Father who is in heaven prizes you. Healing Streams counsellors are not miracle
workers. We are gifted and trained
sojourners who are called to reflect God’s heart for you in your journey.
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7. Does my counsellor
have vocational ministry experience?
Healing Streams counsellors view counselling as a vocational
ministry. It is different than the
ministry of pastoring or being a missionary.
All counsellors have either worked or volunteered for Christian
organizations. Each counsellor must be referred to Healing Streams by a
denominational or Christian organizational leader who says they would refer
Christian leaders to this counsellor.
When you call Healing Streams for a counselling referral, you will be
linked with the counsellor in your area with the most relevant expertise in
your area of concern.
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8. How do I access Counselling Services? Can I request a specific counsellor?
You can access Counselling Services by calling 1-519-578-4285.
The counselling intake worker will take down your contact information, reason
for seeking counselling, and recommend a counsellor in your area. If you have been referred to a specific
counsellor or have a preference you may request them at this time and every
effort will be made to accommodate you.
You may also indicate if there is a counsellor you would prefer not to
see (e.g. someone from your own denomination).
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9. I am underemployed. What if I cannot pay the full fee?
We will explore alternative payment arrangements with
you. In some cases you may have coverage
through your extended health program, your Employee Assistance Provider, or
Healing Streams may have an arrangement with your employer where they subsidize
your fees without revealing your name. In addition Healing Streams has a
subsidy program available on request for clients who are unable to pay the full
fee. No one is turned away because of
financial barriers.
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