Religion has earned a bad name. There was a time when the word simply referred to all things pertaining to a faith. Now it seems to refer exclusively to all the bad things pertaining to a faith. The ever popular “I’m spiritual, not religious” thinking cannot conceive of religion as anything but toxic, dangerous, or,…
If you don’t know who Anthony Bourdain is it’s probably because you hate traveling and good food. He was THE perennial all-star travel and food critic; he held the job that I, and anyone with any sense of sense, dreamed of having. And besides the actual Anthony Bourdain – the witty, sarcastic, crass storyteller, chef…
Seeking counseling at church can be highly precarious. Many are left with a choice between equally bad options: do I (a) tell my pastor about my affair, addiction, suicidal thoughts, hatred, etc., and risk getting ostracized, or (b) self-medicate, keep my mouth shut, and hope the guilty feeling goes away some day? There is of…
It felt strange typing this title. If I didn’t have personal experience with Christians who believe that because they’re Christians they have no need for counseling I would have never thought to write such an article. Many believers seem to view counseling as ‘church’ for unbelievers. Now, the possibility for Christians to have mental illnesses is conceivable,…
Sam Harris has seen immense growth in popularity after starting his latest project – Waking Up with Sam Harris podcast. This project has expanded his repertoire to include far more subjects in his talks than his traditional mainstay of New Atheist apologetics. As part of the project Harris has released several memes as well. A…
The phrase “Physician, heal thyself” is recognized the world over as perhaps the single greatest put-down in recorded history aimed, of course, at Jesus Christ by his accusers during his passion on the cross. Christ performed many public healings so it must have seemed unbelievably ironic to those standing around that he was unable to…
I love New Year’s. There’s something about the calendar on my wall flipping over that gives me the feeling of a new beginning. It’s a completely made up new beginning, yet still completely real. Bono from U2 had it right when he said that “Nothing changes on New Year’s Day,” however, for me psychologically almost…
Having studied a fair amount of dream analysis and utilizing various forms in therapy, I thought it would be fun to write a quick review comparing and contrasting the three figures with whom I have the most experience: Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Fritz Perls. This article is primarily aimed at therapists in the counseling…
Many Christians today believe the practice of praying to the saints is as bizarre as it is blasphemous; at the very least something condemned in Scripture. However, it would shock many to know that prayers to the saints, in particular Mary, has always been a standard practice in the Christian faith. I only assume this…
What is one to do when emotional pain comes on strong and unexpected? Many people regularly experience a chaotic mixture of pain and pleasure, joy and despair, that makes them ask what the hell is going on? Why do I feel great one moment and completely blitzed by painful emotions the next, and for seemingly…
So many Christians want to increase their faith. And why wouldn’t they? It seems only natural. But have they never read when Christ nearly rebuked his disciples for asking him to increase their faith? It’s the passage where he tells them that faith the size of a mustard seed is enough (small faith is enough),…
The Cherokee have a rite of passage for their youth. Whether the rite is still practiced I have no idea, but I hope it is. Apparently a father takes his boy into the wilderness, blindfolds him, and has him sit alone on a stump. The boy is to remain on the stump throughout the night…
