On Being a Therapist

I have been asked by Interns what sustains me as a therapist after many years of practice. For me the answer to that question is clear. In addition to my gifts, calling and professional training, it is the joy I get when I see people healed and transformed. I love to see couples stop fighting, begin to laugh again and have hope for the future. Does every individual and every couple get completely healed and transformed? No, but whatever work they do in therapy takes them closer to their ultimate goal.

I believe that the ultimate goal of therapy is freedom, freedom to love and be loved and freedom to be fruitful in the Kingdom of God. Personal growth is important but it is not the ultimate goal. What sets us apart from secular therapy is the understanding of ultimate accountability to the Lord for the way we live our lives. Yet, we consider it of the upmost importance to respect the values and goals of our clients as an expression of their free will.

I never get tired of hearing about people’s lives. We provide a safe place for our clients to deeply express their pain as well as their joy. The founder of CCCC, David Gatewood, taught us that healing comes when we face the pain rather than avoid it. Facing the pain with a trained therapist who is trusted allows us to feel safer, knowing we that are not alone. Sometimes things feel worse before they feel better. But they do get better, as together we follow your pathway of healing. Part of our role is to help you discover that pathway of healing.

Prayer is an integral part of our therapy. Listening to the Holy Spirit is part of that prayer time. The question on my mind with clients is, "What is the Holy Spirit doing in their lives?” He is the ultimate Comforter so we join with the Holy Spirit in that work.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” 2 Cor. 1:3 NIV.

Good News for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Do you have chronic pain even after medical treatment? Chronic pain is pain which starts with acute pain from an injury or illness but persists after the original injury is healed. Acute pain is the body’s alarm system. Chronic pain is like a fire alarm that initially warns us but then keeps ringing after the fire is out. Pain persists due to neurological and biochemical changes which occur with an injury. In a sense it becomes “locked in” the brain and nervous system and does not resolve with normal medical treatment. Pain medications may reduce or temporarily stop pain but do not resolve the chronic pain. In addition, any history of trauma such as car accidents, childhood abuse or neglect, sports injuries, brain injuries or combat exposure tend to make it worse. Brain scans, in fact, show that with chronic pain there is more activity in the areas of the brain involved with memory and emotions. The long term effects can result in Chronic Pain Syndrome (CPS) which may include clusters of symptoms (anxiety, depression, stress, fatigue, sleep problems, weight gain, poor memory, difficulty concentrating, social isolation, irritability, anger and decreased interest in sex), lifestyle changes (reduction of normal activities and relationship and financial problems) and the risk of addiction to pain medications. The good news is that there are treatments which can help manage, reduce or completely end chronic pain by activating the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Though each person’s experience differs, the kind of chronic pain which may respond to this treatment includes but is not limited to: Back pain, sciatica, widespread muscle pain due to fibromyalgia, joint pain, abdominal pain, migraine headaches, pain resulting from surgery and post surgery scar tissue, phantom limb pain, and pain resulting from burns and burn scars.
The Treatment
The therapies which are used to activate and accelerate the natural healing process are TRM (Trauma Resiliency Model, a somatic therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Along with treatment patients are trained to use interventions between appointments and are given information about additional resources. Traditional talk therapy can be helpful for many issues but it does not alleviate pain.
The benefits of treatment include a decrease of the symptoms associated with CPS, resumption of normal activities and a reduced dependence on or complete end to the need for pain medication. Even if the pain does not completely end, the treatment and training gives patients a greater sense of control over the pain and ultimately over their lives.
Note: If there is no noticeable change resulting from treatment, after a consultation with your MD (with your permission) you can be referred for other alternative treatment modalities.

If you would like to set up an appointment please call Lloyd Hamner at California Christian Counseling Center at 818-785-3372.