Showing titles in Counseling

Ours is an age of anxiety. The solution isn't to rid ourselves of the sources of anxiety but to recognize that anxiety originates from a spiritual influence - and then use the weapons of power, love, and a sound mind to fight back and live in God's peace. Sharing her own story of emerging from the battle with anxiety as well as the stories of others, Dr. Michelle Bengtson reminds you of your identity as a follower of Christ and of the peace he promises you in spite of everything.

There are many blessings that come with age: retirement, grandchildren, travel, and life experience. Today's culture, however, marginalizes old age, often portraying it as burdensome and hopeless. Many older women can feel like an encumbrance rather than a blessing to their friends and family members. In response to these struggles, Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt encourage women to find hope through both real-life and biblical accounts of women who rediscovered gospel-rooted joy later in life.

John Elmore is no stranger to addiction. Fifteen years ago, he put a loaded shotgun to his head and later had three doctors tell him he was going to die of alcoholism. Now he leads the world's largest weekly recovery gathering where people journey toward healing in Christ. In Freedom Starts Today, he makes a huge promise to the addicted: You can be free from your struggle, and much sooner than you may think. Through easily digestible readings grounded in Scripture and the practice of daily surrender, Elmore tells you how to break the cycle of addiction.

Pastors and counselors regularly minister to people whose marriages or families are in crisis. Tempers run high and feelings are brought low when a marriage is hurting or a family is in disarray. Pastors and counselors need practical, biblical help in order to connect their theological training to the reality of modern messy relationships. These how-to training manuals provide relevant, user-friendly equipping for pastors, counselors, lay leaders, educators, and students, enabling them to competently and compassionately relate God's word to marriage and family life.

In dark times, God can seem silent. We feel isolated, confused, and alone. Everyone experiences suffering - even the biblical writers express similar feelings in the Psalms. Through brief meditations on Psalms 88 and 89, Ligon Duncan points to hope in the midst of the pain of feeling abandoned by God. These examples of crying out to God show listeners how to respond to their own suffering, and assure them of our heavenly Father's mercy that sustains trust even in the darkest of circumstances.

This book offers a measured Christian response to the diverse gender identities that are being embraced by an increasing number of adolescents. Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky offer an honest, scientifically informed, compassionate, and nuanced treatment for all listeners who care about or work with gender-diverse youth: pastors, church leaders, parents, family members, youth workers, and counselors.

Between alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, pornography, gambling, and eating disorders, fully 25 percent of the population of the United States is addicted to something. Those addictions are taking a massive physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial toll on individuals, families, and communities. The problem can feel insurmountable. But there is a solution, at once ancient and supported by the latest in neuroscientific research.

As a child, Sheila Wise Rowe was bused across town to a majority white school, and she experienced the racist lie that one group is superior to all others. We experience ongoing racial trauma as this lie is perpetuated by the action or inaction of the government, media, viral videos, churches, and within families of origin. In contrast, scripture declares that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made.

Drawn from the personal experience of the authors and current research, The Heart of Recovery calls us to set aside judgment and mend recovering addicts and their families with the stuff God uses to heal: compassion and community. It's a call to serve the ones who cannot repay, to forgive 70 times 7, to fling the door wide open to the prodigal, and to remember the purpose of grace. A supportive community - family, friends, the church, and more - encourages and sustains long-term recovery. Through compassion, we bring hope for healing.

The #MeToo movement has revealed sexual abuse and assault in every sphere of society, including the church. But victims are routinely ignored by fellow Christians who deny their accounts and fail to bring accountability to the perpetrators. All too often, churches have been complicit in protecting abusers, reinforcing patriarchal power dynamics, and creating cultures of secrecy, shame, and silence.

Leslie Vernick, counselor and social worker, has witnessed the devastating effects of emotional abuse. Many, including many in the church, have not addressed this form of destruction in families and relationships because it is difficult to talk about. With godly guidance and practical experience, Vernick offers an empathetic approach to recognizing an emotionally destructive relationship and addresses the symptoms and the damage with biblical tools.

This accessibly written audiobook illuminates the good news of healing and liberation the Bible offers survivors of sexual abuse. As an expert in pastoral ministry and a survivor of abuse herself, Elaine Heath handles this sensitive topic with compassion and grace.

The wreckage of addiction lies scattered around too many people - from the one who is or was addicted to those in relationship with that person. Age-old culprits of drugs, alcohol, and gambling are joined by newer addictions, such as food, prescription medication, shopping, pornography, and technology. Left unaddressed, addiction devastates lives now and makes it difficult to see a positive way forward. For anyone struggling with an addiction, attempting to live in recovery, or seeking to understand the mind of an addict they love, Dr. Jantz's newest book is a lifeline.

The inability to say “no” can result in overcommitment, leaving us exhausted and even bitter toward those who make demands on our time and energy. Similarly, compromising our beliefs to keep a relationship can draw us away from who God has made us to be and what he has called us to do. In both cases, we need to be able to set wise boundaries, prioritizing pleasing God rather than pleasing others or even ourselves. Counselor Jim Newheiser offers practical advice for setting appropriate boundaries in our relationships and uses real-life scenarios to teach how to manage difficult situations.

Camille Cates provides a compassionate guide to help survivors of sexual trauma find comfort, hope, healing, and renewal through faith in Christ.

Combining the best of clinical research with a biblical worldview, The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry is a practical and accessible resource to help pastors, church leaders, and others who are called on to offer counsel.

In Hopeful Sorrow, Julie Busler shares her journey through childhood trauma, emotional neglect, and grief, showing that turning from childhood wounds to God in hope begins with turning toward them in sorrow. Through the biblical practice of lament–bringing honest pain and questions to God–she demonstrates how acknowledging sorrow can lead to hope, resilience, and renewed faith.

People are hurting at a scale we’ve never seen. They’re dealing with an onslaught of issues like anxiety, grief, mental illness, family troubles, and hopelessness. Pastors and counselors can’t see everyone in need. This book can help. Based on national research with more than 2,000 church leaders, social researcher and bestselling author Shaunti Feldhahn and psychologist and professor Dr. James Sells show how this is the church’s moment–and present a tested vision that is already thriving in churches of every size across the country!

Discover the healing power of heartfelt grieving by listening to Grieving Wholeheartedly. In life's toughest moments, our emotions can feel like a storm at sea―conflicting waves of anger, sadness, and fear crashing together. But within these turbulent waters lies the potential for profound healing. Audrey Davidheiser, a licensed psychologist with expertise in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, will guide you through a compassionate exploration of your pain and grief.

Discover the profound impact of integrating faith and psychology with The Integrative Mindset. Guided by the wisdom of veteran integrative clinicians Brad Strawn and Earl Bland, listeners will learn how to cultivate an integrative mindset that harmonizes personal experiences and innate talents with therapeutic practice. Using their combined sixty+ years of combined experience, Strawn, and Bland, present a compelling emergent model that celebrates the unique and dynamic complexity of each therapist-client relationship.