Individual Counseling

People are sometimes reluctant to ask for help and view counseling as something for people who are unstable or weak. Actually, counseling is a very common practice and most people can benefit from counseling at some point in their lives. The purpose of Christian counseling is to focus on helping you heal mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in order to allow you to overcome struggles that keep you from a fulfilling life, and healthy relationships. Through engagement with your counselor, you can identify your areas of strength and weakness, and explore your desires in order to better understand yourself and where you want to be.

What Differentiates Christian Counseling From Other Secular Forms of Counseling?

Individual Christian counseling is similar to secular counseling, in that it focuses on your present concerns and how they relate to your story, while offering practical solutions to help you live a healthier life now and in the future. Individual Christian counseling integrates proven therapeutic techniques, biblical understanding, and the foundation found in our identity in Christ, to provide a faith-based approach to healing, wholeness, and personal growth. Christian counselors offer you a place to explore all areas of your life, including your spiritual needs and concerns. You can discuss your personal relationship with God and ask any questions you might have about things such as Biblical interpretation, prayer, or anything pertaining to your walk with Christ. Our counselors will tailor their approach towards reaching your goals and dealing with your unique situation. Christian counseling can help you develop your strengths, and become the best version of yourself so you can connect fully with others by becoming a better spouse, parent, and friend.

Individual counseling addresses issues such as:

• ADHD
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anger Issues
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chemical Dependency
• Codependency
• Counseling for Grief
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Men’s Issues
• OCD
• Personal Development
• Psychological Testing
• Pornographic Addiction
• Relationship Issues
• Sexual Abuse
• Sexual Addiction
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Women’s Issues

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, our skilled and compassionate counselors are experienced in helping people with a variety of issues. As a Christian counseling group, we’re here to offer faith-based counseling to help you find peace during difficult times.

If you find yourself dealing with depression or anxiety, or if you’re generally dissatisfied with where your life is going, you might benefit from individual counseling. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we help those who desire to have a richer, more fulfilling life, and fully-connected, healthy relationships.

Individual Christian counseling can help you:

• Heal from past wounds associated with trauma, failures, past hurts, neglect, and difficult relationships.
• Build better relationships by learning to form deeper connections and healthy relationship habits.
• Develop new perspectives and coping skills so you can overcome negative patterns of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
• Overcome addictions such as chemical dependency, sex addiction, and other toxic habits.
• Gain a better understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and how those things affect you and people around you.
• Provide you with increased confidence, sense of purpose, and an environment of support, compassion, and guidance.
• Feel empowered against future struggles by learning how to better deal with life’s challenges.
• Grow spiritually, and develop a closer walk with God as you work towards becoming all you are intended to be.

People go to individual counseling in order to:

• Feel empowered and in control of their present situation
• Reduce stress, depression, and anxiety
• Talk about relationship issues
• Work through problems with a compassionate and skilled counseling professional
• Learn how to process emotions and discover healthier behaviors/responses
• Talk in confidence about troubling issues and private concerns
• Feel more connected with themselves and with people around them

These are just a few of the many things our clients can gain from individual Christian counseling. You and your counselor are a team. Together you can talk about what you hope to achieve in counseling, and set goals in order to making the most of your sessions.

During individual counseling, you will work closely with your counselor to address your present concerns and emotions. The counseling approach varies depending on your unique needs, and the counseling styles of your counselor. One thing that is consistent with all individual counseling practices is the desire to help you identify life goals, while addressing thought patterns and behaviors that stand in your way. To accomplish this, your counselor might use a variety of counseling methods.

The most common counseling methods include:

• Psychodynamic Counseling: Also known as insight-oriented counseling, utilizes the relationship that forms between the client and counselor to build awareness regarding the effect of past experiences on your present behaviors and thought patterns. Psychodynamic counseling is effective for a variety of psychological disorders. It allows the client to come to terms with their past and take control of their future by working to change harmful personality traits that formed during critical psychological developmental stages early in life.
• Cognitive Behavioural Counseling: This form of psychotherapy helps a person to become aware of unhealthy or inaccurate thought patterns so they can deal with stressful situations in a more effective way. You and your counselor will focus on specific problems using a goal-oriented approach. Together you can identify what triggers your thoughts and learn how to challenge negative thoughts and reactions. Cognitive behavioral counseling is a great tool in treating things like anxiety and depression.
• Solution Focused Counseling: If you have a basic understanding of your issues and the changes you wish to make, then you might benefit from this form of counseling. Solution focused counseling is goal-oriented, rather than a focus on symptoms or past events. This technique emphasizes your current situation, while encouraging you to imagine the future you want. Your counselor will help you develop a plan comprised of a series of smaller goals to help you get to where you want to be.
• Emotional Focused Counseling: The goals of this method are to help clients recognize their emotional responses so they can break away from unhealthy cycles in their relationships. This form of counseling is primarily used in the treatment of depression and to help those who struggle with distressed relationships. Your counselor will provide you with an objective perspective so you can better evaluate your emotions and how you react to those feelings both inwardly, and within your relationships.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a psychotherapy method that is proven effective in the treatment of trauma. The brain processes information differently during a traumatic event. People who suffer trauma often relive the events in painful detail. These memories have a negative effect on how that person interacts with the world around them. EMDR changes how the brain processes information, so the client no longer relives the images, sounds, and emotions associated with the traumatic event.

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we understand that your situation and needs are unique. Your counselor will determine which counseling approach works best for you, while keeping you actively involved in the healing process.

If you’re thinking about individual counseling, you probably have a lot of questions. We aim to help you feel confident in your decision to undergo counseling. Our responsive staff are here to answer any questions you might have.

How do I find the right counselor?

At the core of every therapeutic experience lies a trusting and respectful relationship between the client and the counselor. Take the time to make sure the counselor you select is one with whom you feel safe, so you can communicate openly on a spiritual and emotional level. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we provide a directory that includes all of our counselors and their specialty areas. Simply select your location and desired service from our drop down menu on the Home page. You will then be provided with a list of counselors that specialize in your area of need. We encourage you to read the profiles fully, to better decide which counselor is best for you. If you have any questions about selecting a counselor or scheduling an appointment, simply give us a call, we are happy to help. To ensure the best experience and results for our clients, we offer a risk-free initial session.

Do I have to be a Christian to meet with your counselors?

No. Our desire is to help everyone overcome personal challenges, so you can live the life you want. We welcome you to discuss any questions you might have about religion, but we don’t impart our beliefs on others. Our foremost goal is to provide everyone in need with compassionate, quality counseling.

Is what I say kept confidential?

Absolutely. Ethical standards require that we protect the privacy of our clients. All conversations with your counselor are confidential. The fact that you are meeting a counselor is also private information. Only in rare instances when the safety of a client or others is at risk do we disclose confidential information shared between you and your counselor.

How long do I have to be in counseling?

The amount of time a person will continue to benefit from counseling depends on a variety of factors. The issues you’re dealing with, and the best approach for handling these issues will impact the number of sessions required before you see the results you want. Your counselor has your best interest in mind, and will continue treating you for as long as you need. If you’re concerned about this matter, feel free to ask your counselor, and they will work with you to develop a flexible timeline for treatment.

What does counseling cost?

The cost of counseling varies from counselor to counselor. You’ll find that counselors with more experience often charge more, while newer counselors cost less. Check with your insurance provider regarding coverage for counseling. You might have little out-of-pocket cost. Some of our counselors offer sliding scale rates depending on your financial situation and counseling needs.

What is Christian counseling?

Christian counseling offers the same proven counseling techniques as other counseling professionals, and both have the same goal of helping you overcome struggles so you can work towards building the life you want. The difference with Christian counseling, is an incorporation of faith-based principles during counseling sessions. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we welcome prayer and Biblical exploration during your healing process. We are here to guide you through your personal battles, while helping you set and meet goals for spiritual development.

Contact Us Today To Learn More About Christian Individual Counseling In Tacoma

If you’re tired of feeling overburdened and need help overcoming challenges, consider the benefits of individual counseling. With help, you can work towards positive change and learn new skills that will help you continue to grow long after you’re counseling is complete. Our team of highly-skilled counselors are ready to meet your unique needs. Simply schedule an appointment online, or give us a call at (253) 777-1997.