Looking Behind the Curtain

Marie* wanted a therapist who valued her faith as much as she did.

She thought she had found one but quickly disengaged because, in her words, it felt like he was saying, “Take two Bible verses and call me in the morning.”

She found me on Psychology Today and called me on a Monday night. We had a delightful conversation about her needs and what she sought in a counselor.

We immediately had a connection.

I, a 63-year-old grandfather, and she, a 22-year-old single woman, found that we had some things in common.

We both knew what it was like to struggle.

We knew what it was like to have doubts and fears.

We both admitted to times when we failed to understand who God was and what we meant to him.

Marie believed in God, but…

She told me how he felt distant.

Then, she paused, and I heard her choke up as she said, “My mother died. She was everything to me. Now she’s dead, and I’m all alone.”

She disclosed that she never felt good enough and that losing her mom was a punishment.

Between the sobs, I heard a familiar story.

Many people come to me because they feel alone and abandoned.

Some have trauma from abusive or neglectful parents.

Most have lost their confidence and their hope.

Their thoughts race, and sometimes they have difficulty focusing.

And what’s so tragic is that they feel like there’s no way out.

But there is a way out.

And Marie found it.

It took a while, but she opened up and told me what she wanted most. Then, she told me all the thoughts and beliefs keeping her from realizing her hopes and dreams.

She told me how these terrible thoughts affected her choices and outcomes. Then, she and I began dismantling the lies, replacing them with the truth.

That was three months ago. Today, you would never know she ever doubted herself.

How is that possible?

The answer is quite simple: When she was ready, she reached out for help.

She reached out to me. More importantly, she reached out to the God who loves her deeply.

God gave Marie “the peace that passes understanding.”

You can have that, too. Please, reach out for a free consultation: (336) 310-5112.

*Name and story do not reflect an actual client.