Written by Alyssa Sonnenburg
Mental health is now one of the biggest social concerns in the United States.
According to My Denver Therapy,
- Since 2020, about 30% of American adults have seen a therapist.
- In 2021, about 42 million people received treatment or counseling for their mental health.
- About 17% of American teens see a therapist each year.
- Every year, about 20% of working adults experience a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety.
- Around 25% of adult women have received some form of mental health treatment in the past year, compared to about 15% of men.
By all standards and metrics, America has a mental health crisis. Not only that, but it also has a moral crisis. What is more, the link between mental health and spiritual health is undeniable.
In his article, “Dispelling Myths About ‘Mental Illness,’” Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church comments,
In a world where “mental illness” is the overwhelming diagnosis for behaviors that are antisocial and often rooted in sin, and medication is the prescribed remedy, it’s crucial to question prevailing assumptions from a biblical perspective.
Secular therapy and counseling rarely address any spiritual components when it comes to mental health and lifestyle choices. Yet, because secular therapy does not address the spiritual aspect of our spirits, it is by default limited in its ability to bring lasting hope and change.
These days, more and more Americans actually want their spiritual health to be addressed in their therapy sessions.
According to the American Psychological Association,
More than 70% of U.S. adults say religion is important in their lives, and most patients want the chance to discuss religion or spirituality during therapy… But when surveyed about their expertise, up to 80% of practicing psychologists say they received little to no training on addressing spiritual and religious issues during therapy…
Is there a counseling option that addresses mental health from a biblical perspective?
Yes, there is!
The Biblical Counseling Center (BCC) is dedicated to “Helping you apply God’s truth to life’s struggles, for your good and His glory.”
The BCC is dedicated to just that– biblical counseling.
Why biblical counseling?
According to their mission statement,
This world is full of hurting people that need help. Unfortunately, most counseling provides empathy for life’s struggles without providing biblical guidance to change.
Biblical Counseling helps to bring you a new perspective and lasting change.
With 30 years of counseling and training, five locations near Chicago and Northwest Indiana (with an additional online option), and over 25,000 people counseled, the Biblical Counseling Center is driven by its desire to bring true hope and lasting change to the hearts and lives of counselees.
Their goal is to “care for others the way Christ cared and give practical help that produces lasting change.”
The Biblical Counseling Center is equipped with expert counselors who are trained to handle a wide variety of situations including marriage conflict, PTSD, abuse, depression, sexuality, addiction, anger, grief, pornography, family conflict, and much more.
When you or a loved one signs up for a counseling session with a BCC counselor, you can rest assured knowing that you are receiving Christ-centered counsel that will not only glorify God but will also bring true hope to your situation.
Learn more about BCC by going to biblicalcounselingcenter.org.
