(866) 588-2795 | contact@drteresalsmith.com

Dr. Teresa Smith

My WordPress Blog

by Leave a Comment

Let Go and Let God – Faith-Based Therapy for Christians

Can spirituality and religion be used as a therapeutic strategy? More and more mental health professionals are finding that God can offer some of their clients more direction than they can.

In the past, many Christians have neglected to get the help they need from a counselor because they were afraid their belief in God would be ignored or, worse, belittled. But many therapists today are either religious/spiritual themselves, or highly respectful of their clients who hold Christian or other beliefs. 

In faith-based therapy sessions, it is common to pray, use forgiveness protocols, and use biblical texts to reinforce healthy mental and emotional habits. Another important aspect of faith-based therapy is that when a therapist is willing to interact in a religious or spiritual way, it helps the client to trust them more. And trust is the most important thing between client and counselor.

Areas Where Faith-Based Counseling is Particularly Helpful

Throughout life, we all face different crises and challenges. And during these times, it is common for people to turn to their faith. 

The following are situations where faith-based counseling can be particularly beneficial:

Marital Issues

For many Christians and people of other faiths, marriage is a life-long commitment and divorce is simply not an option. Faith-based therapy can help husbands and wives find their way back to one another through love, kindness, and respect.

The Challenges of Parenting

None of us are given an instruction manual for how to raise our children. But the Bible certainly contains wisdom and lessons that are applicable to parents. 

Anxiety and Depression

There are many ways to deal with and treat anxiety and depression. From cognitive-behavioral therapy to medications, traditional therapy can definitely help. But for some people, the real strength and answers they are seeking come from a higher source.

Loss of a Loved One

Sooner or later, all of us must deal with the loss of loved ones. While therapy can help take us through the steps of grieving, our faith is what helps us to truly heal, because we know we will see our loved ones someday.

Are You Looking for Help?

If you have been wanting to speak with a mental health professional but feared they may reject your religion, I urge you to seek out a counselor who practices faith-based therapy. 

And if you live in the area (or even if you don’t because I offer telehealth services), I practice faith-based therapy for Christians and people of other religions. Reach out to me and let’s talk about how I can help!

 

SOURCES:

by Leave a Comment

Stress’s Physiological Impact on the Body

The old saying goes, “Into every life a little rain must fall.” Stress is like rain. A little of it can be a good thing. But too much can cause havoc and devastation.

Our bodies are designed to handle a little bit of acute or sudden stress. But when stress is prolonged or becomes chronic, it can have devastating consequences to our health.

Here are just some of the ways stress can negatively impact your body:

Respiratory Issues

Prolonged stress can lead to respiratory issues such as shortness of breath. Individuals who do not have an underlying respiratory disease may not be very impacted. But for those with pre-existing conditions such as COPD and asthma, stress can dangerously exacerbate the situation.

Heart Health

When we’re stressed we are in fight or flight mode. This causes our heart to beat faster and our blood vessels to dilate. In short-term scenarios, these physical manifestations help get us out of danger.

But for prolonged periods, this can put a lot of stress on our heart and blood vessels, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Gut Health

Did you know that 80% of your immune system is located in your gut? It’s incredibly important to ensure your gut is healthy!

But chronic stress can wreak havoc on your gut as it changes the beneficial gut bacteria. And a change in this bacteria can negatively impact your mood. And when you’re already feeling stressed, the last thing you need is to also feel depressed.

Sexual Health

Both the male and female reproductive systems are influenced by the nervous system. When we are stressed, our sexual hormones can get out of balance and we can lose sexual desire. Men may find it hard to achieve and maintain an erection. Stress can also make it hard to conceive and affect a woman’s menstrual cycle.

As you can see, stress can really impact your physical health in a negative way. While we can’t stop the rain from falling or stress from entering our lives, we can practice healthy stress management. That means eating right, getting enough exercise, and quality sleep each night.

SOURCES:

by Leave a Comment

Treating Muslims for PTSD

A Pew Research Center analysis of new hate crimes statistics from the FBI found the number of assaults against Muslims living in America rose significantly between the years of 2015 and 2016. These figures surpassed the level of hate crimes reported even after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And according to a report put out by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the number of anti-Muslim hate crimes in this country rose an astounding 91% in the first half of 2017 compared with the same period the year before.

Needless to say, the current political and social environment has led to a majority of Muslims dealing with hateful rhetoric. This Islamophobia adds to the trauma many Muslims, who have emigrated to this country seeking safety from war-torn regions, already face.

Often times, trauma has been suppressed by people who have dealt with the reality of savage war. When they come to this country and deal with anger and hostility, this hatefulness can often bring up their suppressed emotions.

Treating PTSD in Muslim Populations

Among others, Kunst’s research suggests that harassment and hostility are the biggest factors contributing to the long-term mental health issues found in Muslim populations. What has also been uncovered is that the younger they are when they experience harassment, the more likely they are to develop PTSD.

While this country has some of the best mental health services available to residents, members of the Muslim community share a similar worldview based on their religious beliefs that dictate how and if members receive treatment from the Westernized healthcare system. For a majority of Muslims, God’s will comes before their own will. This makes seeing treatment for PTSD a bit tricky. Other cultural differences also make seeking treatment next to impossible.

But there are some things clinicians can do to reach out to the Muslim community in an effort to help alleviate their symptoms of PTSD:

Culturally Sensitive Therapy

Research shows how culturally sensitive interventions may make it more likely for Muslims to accept care. The first step is to recognize the hostilities Muslims face in this country. A report in the Journal of Muslim Mental Health suggests therapists recognize the microaggressions and unconscious intolerance Muslims experience on a daily basis that are adding to their trauma. Understand where some of their trauma comes from, specifically their experiences with discrimination based on ethnic background, culture, or religion, and the fear of being deported.

Consider Offering Religious Integrated Therapy

It’s a great idea to seek religious sensitivity training so that you may provide culturally appropriate care to Muslim patients. You may also want to consider implementing religious integrated therapy into your practice. The Khalil Center, the largest national mental health provider for Muslim faith communities, provides a recommended standard for spiritually integrated interventions.

Engage

To understand the people you seek to help, it’s best to engage with them personally to find out how you can best help them. If there are institutions and hospitals in your area that focus on serving Muslim populations, these can be ideal engagement partners to learn more from.

If you or someone you know is Muslim and would like to explore treatment options in a safe and non-judgmental environment, please get in touch with me. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help you.

 

SOURCES:

by Leave a Comment

Mental Health Care for The Career Woman

When you think about it, modern women are really like superheroes. Not only are they obtaining college degrees and climbing corporate ladders, they’re doing so while also raising families. They may also find themselves taking care of aging parents at the same time.

While some women are able to manage juggling all of these big responsibilities, many women, over time, will experience burnout and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

A Gold Medal for Prioritizing Mental Health

Last summer, the world held its collective breath as gymnast Simone Biles made the heartbreaking decision to withdraw from the Olympic finals. She was very transparent, announcing her decision was a result of making her mental health a priority. 

This was a real act of bravery and her decision shone a light on the importance of protecting the mental health of world-class athletes. 

But the reality is, protecting your health is important for all women, no matter your career choice. From professional athletes to CEOs and every career woman in between, it is vitally important to prioritize their mental health.

How Career Women Can Cultivate Good Mental Health

The following are some ways professional women can protect their mental health from the burdens of careers and family life:

Accept and Expect Imperfections

No matter how hard you try, you’ll never get everything perfect 100% of the time, and that’s okay. Recognize your own humanity and give yourself a break.

Find Support

As you continue to try and be there for everyone else, it’s important that you find people and things to lean on. This can mean family, friends, your faith, or a personal exercise routine. 

Make Time for Yourself

It’s important to step back from the daily grind every once in a while to just rest and relax. The more you take the time to recharge your battery, the more able you’ll be to juggle the responsibilities of your life.

Talk with Someone

Sometimes it’s easier to speak with someone outside of your social or familial network. Talking with a therapist can really help you gain perspective on your life and your abilities. He or she can also give you strategies to navigate the stressful situations in your life.

If you’d like to speak with someone and explore treatment options, please get in touch with me.

SOURCES:

Client Portal

Click Here To Login

Connect with me

Contact Information

(866) 588-2795
contact@drteresalsmith.com