Matt utilizes a form of therapy he calls Christian-identity therapy (CIT). The goal of CIT is to bring your self-image into alignment with your God-given identity. Having your self-image out of sync with your true identity can produce a significant level of discomfort. Most people cope with this pain through distraction and numbing. But grieving and lamenting are healthier options because they communicate any emotional pain directly to God.
CIT is an insight-oriented therapy. It helps you build awareness of your identity so you can grow into who God made you to be. Your identity is who you are. Your self-image is who you think or feel you are. Your identity can’t change, while your self-image changes frequently. Life’s challenges (sin, loss, abuse, and neglect) and creation’s curse can seriously distort your self-image so that you can no longer comprehend who you are. The resulting confusion prevents God’s people from thriving.
Read more detail about this therapy including symptoms, techniques, and benefits:
Learn more about Christian-Identity Therapy.
Take an email course to help you get the most from your counseling.
The following statements describe how NRC achieves its Mission in the context of its Faith when providing counseling services:
- NRC counseling is Christian discipleship. The Gospel is the number one foundational truth, having the most power to bring true change to a client.
- NRC staff are willing vessels for God to use for His purposes; we trust God is present and at work in the counseling session through the Holy Spirit; we rely on the Holy Spirit to interpret and communicate God’s truth found in the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit gifts us with spiritual gifts and whatever else is needed so we may accomplish God’s work.
- The counseling process has elements of truthful objectivity and artful application. We use the Scriptures to test and inform our counseling interventions. The Holy Spirit assists us in using creative ways to communicate the truth to each unique person.
- To heal, clients need both truth and grace; we attempt to communicate God’s truth (confronting) in love (supporting). To heal, clients need to hear the truth and experience the truth; we attempt to communicate God’s truth (teaching) and be God’s truth (loving).
- We comfort and equip our clients, providing scripturally sound, psychological interventions. We believe the discipline of psychology (where it doesn’t conflict with Biblical teaching) offers helpful tools and approaches to promote emotional healing and growth.
- Every client is at a unique place in their faith journey; some clients are ready for or benefit from direct communication of Scripture’s teaching; other clients benefit from communication using everyday words and phrases. We attempt to intervene in the client’s life using whatever method will most expeditiously help the client develop a deeper understanding and closer relationship with God.
- Counseling works best when relationship precedes confrontation; we seek to develop a relationship with the client with the goal of earning the right to speak truth into the client’s life; the Holy Spirit helps us discern the appropriate timing for confronting and supporting.
- God uses us, imperfect as we are, to help others who are also imperfect; we don’t know everything; we recognize the need to be lifetime students of God’s principles.
- We need an active, growing faith in order to help clients and we attempt to live out our faith genuinely both in our personal lives and in our counseling sessions.
- We pray with clients and/or for clients as God leads.
- Professional counseling is beneficial to the client because it provides an objective and focused environment (as free as possible from ulterior motives from those you already know).
- We anticipate God’s kingdom to be advanced in some way as a result of our effort.