Just recently, I was involved in a social media discussion regarding “Jesus and Therapy”. This discussion was alarming to read since many people felt that having Jesus was enough to solve mental health issues. They felt that prayer and fasting would heal people and create emotional wellbeing for those who suffer from mental illness. It was also suggested that people weren’t praying or committed enough to achieve healing. Most of the comments came from “church people”, people who are members of a congregation and who do not have any therapeutic expertise. From the discussion, it seemed that those who commented were against therapy and further perpetuated the negative stigma associated with being saved and attending therapy.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US- 43.8 million or 18.5 percent experience mental illness each year. Church going Christian clients with mental illness have attempted to seek solace from their churches but have been stigmatized by their church instead. Many have been told insensitively that they are not praying enough, reading scripture daily enough or are possessed by a demonic force. In a study conducted by Lloyd and Waller (2000) they found that “Evangelical Christians consistently endorse spiritual aetiologias for mental distress, which include the belief that mental distress can be treated solely through spiritual intervention (prayer, fasting and deliverance)” (p.679). With the prevalence of discrimination in the church of people who have mental illness, many clients are hurting and not receiving the therapeutic care that they need. They fear being labeled and/or ostracized from the church coupled with guilt and shame of not being “spiritual enough” to combat their mental illness. Clients need culturally sensitive tools and support from empathic clinicians to help them through their journey to emotional stability. They need empathic therapists that will dispel the stigma of mental illness in the church from clinicians who are equipped with strategies to assist church leaders and clients with tools of support to help those who are suffering with mental illness.

Being a social work educator and social worker for many years, I have seen how therapeutic services have the power to heal. Being a licensed minister, I have seen how Jesus also has the power to heal. It makes one ask, “what is the intersection of having both Jesus and therapy?” Is it a double healing? Or is it continued healing? Or can it be a forever healing? Is it possible that having just Jesus will cause healing or is Jesus and therapy necessary for healing? Well, I think it depends on the severity of the mental health issues, the client’s level of faith, and their willingness to incorporate both in their therapeutic plan. In Acts 10 we know that Jesus was the man of miracles who “went about doing good” and healed several people. We know that “he is close to the broken hearted”(Psalm 34:18), he “will restore health to us” (Jeremiah 30:17), and he “will sustain us on our sick bed” (Psalm 41:3). Sometimes this is enough to help clients to become restored in their mental health. It strengthens them, makes them feel whole again, increases their faith and causes them to change their perspective. Others may not have the same successful outcome and may need additional interventions for their journey to wellness.

In Glorify Magazine, the author discussed the benefits of having a Christian therapist. It was noted that this type of therapeutic modality would use scripture, theology, hymns, and prayer to help clients with getting through mental illness, stress, and life events. As Christian social workers, it’s important to be advantageous in helping to normalize the benefits of having both Jesus and therapy to help clients to get through their dilemmas and not insinuate that one should take precedence over the other. The two strategies of faith in Jesus Christ and evidenced based therapeutic interventions combined, can create an outcome that is supportive, sustainable, and unbiased. It can create an atmosphere of hope in a victorious end where people can see how they can become more than conquerors and learn to be anxious for nothing. Clients need culturally sensitive tools and support from empathic clinicians to help them through their journey to emotional stability. They need empathic therapists that will dispel the stigma of mental illness in the church from clinicians who are equipped with strategies to assist church leaders and clients with tools of support to help those who are suffering with mental illness.

Dr. Michelle Ratcliff has 22 years of experience as a social worker. She is an Assistant Professor of Social work at Delaware State University and a licensed social worker in Pennsylvania.

References

Freeman, N & Baldwin, I. (2020). Attitudes towards mental illness in American Evangelical communities, supernaturalism, and stigmatisation. Mental Health, Religion & Culture 23:8, pages 691-702.

Greenidge,S & Baker, M. (2012). Why do committed Christian clients seek counselling with Christian therapists? Counseling Psychology Quarterly 25:3, pages 211-222.

Lloyd CEM, Hutchinson J. It’s easy to dismiss it as simply a spiritual problem. Experiences of mental distress within evangelical Christian communities: A qualitative survey. Trans cult Psychiatry. 2022 Jan 18:13634615211065869. doi: 10.1177/13634615211065869. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35040741.

Lloyd, C & Waller, R. (2020). Demon? Disorder? Or none of the above? A survey of the attitudes and experiences of evangelical Christians with mental distress. Mental Health, Religion & Culture 23:8, pages 679-690.

McGuire, J.M., & Pace, A.C. (2018). Self-stigma of depression in Christians versus the general population. Mental Health, Religion & Culture 21:6, pages 601-608.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (April 2023). Mental health by the numbers. Retrieved on July 16, 2023 https://www.nami.org/mhstats

Peterson, P. Glorify Magazine: Why needing Jesus and therapy is totally okay – A Guide to Christian Therapy. https://glorifymagazine.com/2022/01/28/jesus-and-therapy-a-christian-therapy-guide/

The uncommon Christian social worker seeks to serve others with compassion, respect, and empathy, regardless of their background or beliefs. They are committed to advocating for social justice, promoting human rights, and alleviating suffering. Their faith motivates them to serve those who are marginalized, vulnerable, and oppressed. In a common world that often prioritizes materialism, individualism, and self-interest, the uncommon Christian social worker strives to prioritize the needs of others. They recognize the intrinsic worth and value of every person and seek to empower them to achieve their full potential.

Creativity is also essential for an uncommon Christian social worker. They recognize that every individual and situation is unique, and they approach their work with flexibility, openness, and a willingness to think outside the box. They are innovative and resourceful in their problem-solving and seek to find creative solutions to complex issues.

Ultimately, being an uncommon Christian social worker means striving to integrate faith and practice in a way that honors both. It requires a commitment to ongoing learning, reflection, and growth. As such, an uncommon Christian social worker is a lifelong learner who recognizes that they do not have all the answers but is willing to continue the journey of discovery, transformation, and service.

De’Vaun Williams is a Sophomore at Concordia University Wisconsin majoring in Social Work with a Psychology Minor. He is from San Diego, California and currently plays football at CUW.

We can cite and share about the teachings and practices of social work. It is a helping profession, where we fight for service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence in the common world. Christianity is about believing in Christ and having a relationship with God. When we do this, we allow him to use us as a conduit for a purpose and share the teachings and practices of His unconditional love and sacrifice. This can be an uncommon relationship/experience for many. It can be difficult in this profession to do.

Being a Christian social worker is about understanding that two things can hold true at the same time. We can know the profound grace and mercy that God gives us every day and be overwhelmed and discouraged with the struggles of this common world we face. If you’re like me, I struggle with the paradox of both at times—oftentimes, in fact. It is knowing that despite our clients’ (and our own) worst days, despite failing systems, despite pure evil in this world, there is something beautiful and good that waits at the end of all of this.

It’s knowing we were born for this exact time and are equipped with His gifts, to make sure those around us are seen/heard/loved, as we encourage them to see the world the way we see it—in ways that aren’t ordinarily found or experienced in strategies/solutions/coping mechanisms of this world, but by the way God sees it for us. It’s by our actions, words, relationships with people that they will experience something uncommon, and this will ignite something in them.

There is a sacredness and peace that, even in our struggles, we are always known and loved. Does this mean that it’s hard? YES! Worth it? YES! What an honor to be a social worker, and a Christian one at that.

Amanda Hudson obtained her BSW from Minot State University in North Dakota where she worked in the profession for years. She’s currently pursing her MSW at Concordia University Wisconsin and will graduate Spring 2024. Amanda has learned to embrace whatever comes and that the best laid plans change. For now, she’s on taking some time to raise her three kids and finish up grad school.