Faith, Therapy, & Mindfulness: Embracing Mental Health in the Church

08/05/24 • 10 min

Have you ever felt like seeking therapy means you lack faith? It's a common feeling in the church, tune in as your Host Ciara, shares her personal journey of overcoming DA, you'll learn how therapy was crucial to her healing process and how evidence in the Bible proves that mental health struggles don't equate to faithlessness.

Join Ciara on this episode of the Space and Grace podcast, where we unpack the biblical principles that support the use of therapy and support groups. With verses like Proverbs 27:17 and Matthew 5:4, we challenge the stigma around mental health in the church and discuss the transformative power of gratitude as a mental health tool rooted in scripture. This episode is a call to action for church leaders to embrace the God-given hope and support that professional help can provide.
In another insightful segment, we dive into the practice of mindfulness and its impact on mental health, particularly through Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Discover how MBSR, integrating ancient contemplative practices with Western medical and faith-based approaches, can reduce suffering and build resilience, balance, and peace of mind. We'll discuss practical techniques like body scans, attentional focus practices, and mindful movement, offering you a comprehensive guide to incorporating faith and mental health practices into your life. This episode provides a treasure trove of resources to help you start your mindfulness journey. Don't miss out on these valuable insights and practical tools to enhance your mental well-being through the lens of faith.
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Disclaimer: This episode is intended for entertainment and educational purposes and should not be used to replace mental health counseling or advice from your own mental health counselor. If you live in Florida and are interested in becoming a formal client of Ciara's for mental health counseling, visit her private practice website link below.

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Previous Episode

Mental Health Month- When the Miracle Doesn't Come

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Welcome to Season 2 of the Podcast Formerly Known as the Working Through It! Podcast.
Join your host Ciara Helm. as she kicks off the season sharing her heart about where she has been and her own healing journey while navigating when the miracle healing doesn't come.
If you are struggling with mental health and the shame that surrounds it, this short and unedited episode is for you!

Next Episode

Christianity & Mental Health: Breaking Stigma & Building Resilience

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In this episode of the Space and Grace podcast, host Ciara Helm, LCSW a licensed therapist and retired minister, delves into the connection between faith and mental health.
Ciara shares her personal story of grief and the struggle to reconcile her faith with mental health challenges, particularly after the loss of her mother. She outlines the top three ways faith and mental health beautifully intertwine, emphasizing the importance of mental flexibility, authenticity, and resilience as supported by scripture.
This short and sweet episode also highlights a special tool for mindful prayer, encouraging listeners to integrate their faith and mental health practices. If you haven't already, Tap HERE to download your Free 7-day Mindful Prayer Journal to join the community of other leaders who have started the 7 day challenge.

Space & Grace Podcast - Faith, Therapy, & Mindfulness: Embracing Mental Health in the Church

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:00.080

I bet you didn't know that there are so many biblical principles that are used in mental health and have been proven effective through common tools and evidence-based methods . You're probably saying , yeah right , mental health is in the Bible . Where ? When ? One of the biggest mistakes in the church is when it perpetuates the stigma around mental health and promotes if you struggle