Meier Clinics
NewsletterInspiration, Insight & Information
May 2012
in this issue
:: Advantage of Choosing a Christian Counselor
:: Reflections - A devotional thought from Focus on the Family
:: Services at Meier Clinics
:: Utilizing DBT in Treatment - A message from Timberline Knolls
Advantages of Choosing a Christian Counselor 

By Kyle D. Pontius, Ph.D.

 

   The tagline accompanying the Meier Clinics' logo is "one of the most trusted names in Christian counseling." We take this distinction seriously. While we're open to providing our services to individuals from any religious background, our presentation to the community we serve is uniquely Christian. Many Christians simply assume the importance of going to a Christian counselor when they need help. Ask "why" and you may get a "what do you mean why?" look. Actually, it could be more important at times to find an expert in a specific problem than it would be to make sure they hold shared Christian beliefs. For instance, working with a child psychologist experienced with behavioral methods applied to toilet training could be more important to young parents experiencing this problem, than making sure their therapist is a believer. Exceptions aside, seeking out a therapist who actively lives out their faith as a professional can be important for several reasons. I've outlined a few of them.

   The first that comes to mind is that of shared values. A Christian seeking counseling may be concerned that whoever they go to won't be asking them to violate closely held Biblical values. They don't want to be told to conform to the world over embracing a Christian lifestyle. They'd likely feel uncomfortable with encouragements to scream obscenities during session as a means of "letting it out." Placing one's confidence in a professional who shares your Christian values is easier to do than with one who doesn't or with someone you're unsure of. Establishing this type of confidence is essential for treatment to be effective.

   A second reason is that of having a common language and experience. One of the first things therapists learn in courses taken in graduate school is that no one knows exactly how anyone feels (so, don't say that you do!) Typically, when I hear "I know exactly how you feel," what is really meant is, "When you say that, I become very aware of how I'm feeling as I imagine myself in your place." Even so, having a therapist who can understand and empathize with your Christian experience really helps. A therapist who needs to be reminded that you go to church on Sunday mornings, or needs to be brought "on board" with why you personally feel it is important to send your kids to a Christian school can be distancing. It can also be tiring to try to explain to someone that when you say God told you something, that you're not admitting to having auditory hallucinations, and shouldn't be hospitalized or diagnosed with schizophrenia.

   Seeing a Christian therapist opens up using your relationship with God as part of the healing process. As a Christian psychologist, I feel free to pray with my clients as well as to assign scripture memory and use other spiritual interventions in treatment. The use of these spiritual interventions does need to be therapeutically indicated. That is, the purpose of being in therapy is to address the problems that brought the client into treatment in the first place. For instance, the use of prayer and scripture memory can be particularly useful when treating anxiety. Many Christian therapists have a background in local church ministry which can be very helpful when working with Christian clients.

   Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of a Christian seeking treatment from a Christian therapist is that of the two being fellow members of the body of Christ. This involves all of the benefits mentioned above and more. Christians share common life purposes and are related, through the Holy Spirit, to each other as God's people. This unique relationship qualitatively enhances the therapeutic relationship, adding a unique spiritual dimension to treatment that wouldn't otherwise be there.

   Our offices aren't church. But for the Christians who seek our help, a place is found where they can experience God's healing grace while receiving high quality professional services. For the Christian client, it's important to have a Christian therapist.

__________ _ _ _ __________

 

Kyle Pontius, PhDDr. Kyle Pontius is a licensed psychologist and Clinic Director of the Laguna Hills, California Meier Clinics. He has been with Meier Clinics since 1998. In addition to his psychology education, Dr. Pontius holds a seminary degree from Biola University's Talbot School of Theology and has been on the pastoral staffs of three churches in the areas of youth ministry, Christian education, and counseling. For more information about Dr. Pontius and other therapists and services available at one of our Meier Clinics locations, please visit www.meierclinics.org or call us toll free at 888-7-CLINIC.

Reflections

  

by Roberta Perno, LPC

 

   Take a moment and imagine a best friend. Think about all the times that your friend was loyal to you in being a good listener, offering supportive counsel, or bringing a smile to your face. Think about a sibling who would drop everything to be by your side, offering a vital organ if necessary, or reminiscing about all the family's trials and triumphs. Now think about when your child was born and how the first moment when you saw him/her, you knew on the most intimate level that your love for this child and desire for his/her well-being would forever be the yearning of your heart. Every step that your child took brought a freshness and innocence that only grew with leaps and bounds. As your child grew, you nurtured, laughed, sweat tears, jumped for joy, watched with pride, guided, taught values, and shared in a love that flowed outwardly to make the world a better place.

   Now imagine the next time you see this person is from the side of a long dusty road. You see this person from a distance and what you see is unthinkable, unimaginable, and so utterly heart-breaking that your breath is taken away.  You see this person, your child, your brother, your friend, surrounded by men so barbaric in nature that when you finally get a glimpse of your special one, He looks so tiny and frail in comparison. At a closer look, He is barely noticeable due to the unfathomable brutality that was bestowed upon His body. Blood is dripping down His face due to the thorny crown piercing through His skull. His back is torn in shreds by the many lashings He received from the monstrous and brutal men who held Him captive. You see one of His captors turn and spit on Him while laughing and mocking His every step. His eyes are red with abysmal sorrow and His footsteps areas heavy as maneuvering through quicksand.

   Your precious someone who you have held in your arms, who has brought miles of smiles to your face, who has lifted your heart above the skies, is now on the fatal path to his death. No words can explain, no eyes have seen, no ears have heard, the agony and pain that is outpouring from your heart. And you can only stand by because you know that He is fulfilling His destiny and is choosing His fate for reasons that are beyond your understanding, except for the sheer Truth that the Father's will is being done. "Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,'" (Luke 23:46).

   Three days later He rose from the dead. And from that day forward what was the most dreadful moment in all of history (His-story) became the day of liberation for all of humanity. He is our brother, He is the son of a mother, and He is our friend to the very end.  To you my most Precious Lord, I commit my spirit, will, and eternal love for evermore.

_____ _ _____

 

Roberta Perno is a Licensed Professional Counselor from St. Louis, Missouri. She moved to Colorado Springs over a year ago and has been tremendously blessed by joining the team at Focus on the Family. Roberta specializes in adolescent issues but has experience in working with a diverse population in addressing relational, behavioral, emotional, psychological, and spiritual concerns. Her professional focus is combining therapeutic principles with the healing power of the Holy Spirit.  For more information about FOTF, call 855-771-HELP or visit www.focusonthefamily.com.

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Services at Meier Clinics  

  • Day Program for Adults is available at the following Meier Clinics:  Wheaton, IL; Richardson, TX; Bothell, WA.
  • Sexual Addiction Intensive Outpatient for Adults (Pathway to Freedom) at Meier Clinics in Richardson, TX.
  • After-school Intensive Outpatient Program for Teens (Breakaway) at Meier Clinics in Wheaton, IL.
  • Residential Care for Women and Teens at Timberline Knolls in Lemont, IL, with a Meier Clinics Christian track.

For additional information about these programs, visit our website at www.meierclinics.org or give us a toll free call at 888-7 CLINIC (888-725-4642).

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do..."
Ephesians 6:7-8 

Utilizing DBT in Treatment  

 

   At Timberline Knolls, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an important component in our treatment of eating disorders, substance abuse, mood disorders and more.  The ultimate goal of DBT is to create a meaningful life, which complements our intent for every woman or girl who comes to us for treatment.   We want every person in our care to be set free from her addiction or disorder and go on to live a balanced, joyful, healthy and productive life; in essence, the life God had intended for her.

   DBT emphasizes teaching women how to experience emotions and create a life worth living, despite past challenges. It is especially effective in treating those who have experienced repeated relapses of self-harm, eating disorders, co-occurring emotional illnesses, or addiction. 

   The four primary aspects of DBT skills training include:

         Mindfulness. Learning to control your mind so it does not control you.

         Distress Tolerance. Learning how to make it through crisis situations without making matters worse (without engaging in negative or unhealthy behaviors).

         Emotion Regulation. Learning how to tolerate and regulate your emotions in productive ways.

         Interpersonal Effectiveness. Learning how to be more effective in communicating with others and being aware of your own limits in relationships while also observing the limits of others.

   When an individual comes to Timberline Knolls, we ask her to consider how she would define living a meaningful life. In those initial days, her response could be as simple as "living a life where I can eat without hating myself," or "living a life where I don't have to use drugs every day." The amazing aspect of this initial response is that this definition is not chiseled in stone.  As women progress through treatment, the definition can expand to include so much more, such as the possibility of loving relationships, or choosing a new career path. 

   We also introduce our residents to the tenants of DBT and encourage them to start practicing them right away.  Mindfulness is perhaps the most important one, in that the other components naturally stem from this state.  We want our residents to practice slowing down, being present and living in the moment.  This is not easy since most of them have utilized their addiction or disorder to numb their minds and escape from their personal, painful reality. 

   Throughout treatment, we want our residents to return to a life that includes emotion.  Some have existed in a feeling-free world for so long, they can have difficulty recognizing an emotion when it presents itself.  Since these emotions are usually unpleasant, and our residents can no longer rely on bingeing and purging or drugs to vanquish them, our women and girls learn and practice the skills of emotion regulation and distress tolerance.  They soon discover that emotions, though difficult, are not lethal, and that they, through their own power and with God's guidance, can choose how to react and cope.

   The fourth component of DBT is interpersonal effectiveness; this is also taught and practiced by our residents.  This tool is designed to help women get their needs met in a way that is respectful to both themselves and others.

   Not only are DBT skills practiced in structured groups, but they are also integrated into expressive therapy activities. Additionally, our entire staff is trained in DBT to better support and facilitate each resident's recovery.

Timberline Knolls with Tagline

Timberline Knolls is a residential treatment center for females, ages 12 and older, nestled in a wooded area in a southwestern suburb of Chicago.  Christian counseling with Meier Clinics staff is available to those residents who request it.  For more information about this wonderful facility and program, call 877-257-9611 or visit www.timberlineknolls.com.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

 

   Mothers come in many forms.  There are women who went through nine months of pregnancy before becoming mothers; there are women who chose their precious child through adoption; there are women who long to be mothers but can't so they find other ways to share their love and provide nurturing; there are even men who become mothers because the woman is no longer available to care for the child.

   Moms have one of the most important jobs there is!  And that job often comes with challenges and heartache.  We want to reach out to all types of "moms" who need Christian counseling care.  Your donation can make that care available.

   All contributions to Meier Clinics Foundation are tax deductible within IRS regulations. There are three easy ways to donate:

Mail: MCF, 2100 Manchester Rd., Ste. 1510, Wheaton, IL 60187-4561

Phone: 800-848-8872

E-mail: www.meierclinics.org.  

   To all mothers, we say "thank you" for showing God's love and care to your own children and to many others. 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read our newsletter.  We hope it has been Meier Clinics Logoencouraging and helpful.  If you would like more information about Meier Clinics and how we might be of service to you, please call us at 888-7CLINIC to be directed to the Meier Clinics nearest you or visit us at www.meierclinics.org

Sincerely,
Sandy Newport, Editor