Christian Counseling in San Jose, Melinda Carlisle, LMFT, Christian Counselor, Christian Marriage Counseling
Christian Counseling San Jose
Christian Counselor Melinda Carlisle Brackett, M.A is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in San Jose who is also a highly trained Behavior Therapist who utilizes research based, short-term, goal oriented treatments to help clients with relationship problems, anxiety and depression, and other mental health issues.
Christian counseling is actually a relatively new field and it isn’t clearly defined for the consumer. Unfortunately, many well-meaning Christian therapists do not possess adequate clinical training to treat some of the disorders they work with. In addition, many hurting Christian clients are afraid to work with extremely well-trained clinicians if they don’t have the assurance that the therapist is a Christian themselves.
Christian Psychotherapist Melinda Carlisle Brackett, M.A is one of only a few Christian Cognitive Behavioral Therapists in Silicon Valley who is also an active Christian. Having graduated from a seminary, Melinda has a deep respect for other believers and makes it her mission to provide Christian Counseling that is both clinically effective, backed by clinical research, and that fits with a clients spiritual values.
Melinda is extensively trained to work with very complex psychological disorders and uses evidence-based treatments in her work. Over the years of working with Christians, Christian Counselor Melinda has learned that what Christians are looking for clinically in Christian Counseling isn’t much different from what other consumers look for:
- Anxiety and Depression Therapy
- Marriage or Couples Counseling in san Jose
- Help with Parenting Skills
- Help dealing with a mentally ill spouse or family member
- Help with complex mental health issues such as personality disorders, obessive compulsive disorders, and PTSD.
A professional Christian Therapist in San Jose is able to offer the clinical treatment for a client’s difficulties and respectfully incorporate the Christian client’s personal faith considerations into the treatment goals and options if this is the desire of the client.
A professional Christian Counselor does not impose their own spiritual agenda into the client’s treatment. Many Christians do not bring their faith into sessions and choose to keep their beliefs private. In these instances a responsible Christian Counselor respects the clients wishes and focuses entirely on clinical issues.
Individuals who seek a Christian Counselor to incorporate spiritual matters should still make sure of the following:
That their Christian therapist is licensed by the state of California.
That your Christian Counselor has adequate clinical training and expertise in the areas you are bringing into treatment.
That your Christian Counselor agrees to honor your faith including NOT discussing it if you don’t want to.
If you as the client choose to do so, a good Christian therapist can help you consider:
Christian Counseling Couple
Spiritual implications of decisions and choices
Applying Scriptural principles to your life
Feelings of inadequacy, shame and guilt for past decisions
Feeling inadequate as a Christian. “I’m not spiritual enough!”
Feelings of anger toward God
What Christian Counseling Is NOT:
Christian Counseling is generally not provided by pastors or other church leaders. These individuals provide what is known as Biblical Counseling, or pastoral counseling. This type of counseling takes place in a church setting, and is often based on the Bible alone. The credentials of individuals providing this type of counseling vary widely. Some pastors have a great deal of counselor training while others have very little. Some Biblical counseling may even be provided by laypeople within a church.
Melinda’s Credentials
Melinda is a Christian Counselor who practices Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She received training in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno, CA. Melinda is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She also received certification as a mediator from the Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies at Fresno Pacific University. Please Check out Melinda’s Bio
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