How does Christian counseling differ from traditional therapy?

Christian counseling integrates faith-based principles with evidence-based therapeutic techniques. While traditional therapy focuses on psychological healing, Christian counseling can also incorporate scripture, prayer, and spiritual guidance to promote emotional well-being.

Is Christian counseling effective for mental health issues?

Yes, Christian counseling is effective for addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges. By combining spiritual support with psychological tools, it provides a holistic approach to healing.

What issues can Christian counseling help with?

Christian counseling can address marital struggles, grief, addiction, family conflicts, and personal growth. It is beneficial for individuals seeking emotional healing through both faith and professional counseling techniques.

Can Christian counseling help with forgiveness and reconciliation?

Yes, Christian counseling emphasizes forgiveness, grace, and emotional healing. It helps individuals process pain and betrayal while fostering healthy boundaries and reconciliation when appropriate.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, heightened anxiety, and emotional numbness. PTSD can affect daily functioning, but with support and care, individuals can work toward healing and reclaiming a sense of safety and stability.

How does trauma affect the brain?

Trauma can alter how the brain processes stress, emotion, and memory. It often affects the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, which are the regions involved in fear response, memory regulation, and decision-making. These changes can lead to heightened anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and emotional dysregulation, making healing and support essential for recovery and resilience.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a structured approach to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. It uses guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation to reduce the emotional intensity of distressing memories, allowing the brain to reprocess them in a more adaptive and less disruptive way.

How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

EMDR therapy works by helping the patient reprocess traumatic memories. During traumatic experiences, the brain often doesn't process and store the memories correctly. This results in adverse symptoms. During EMDR therapy, the patient is prompted to recall a traumatic memory while being exposed to an external stimuli moving back and forth – usually a light or finger. The bilateral stimulation helps the brain to reprocess the memory being recalled. After each session of bilateral stimulation, the patient is asked to say a belief about themselves connected to the memory. One of our experienced therapists will help guide you towards a more positive and healthy outlook on yourself by the end of treatment.

Does Insurance Cover EMDR Therapy?

If your insurance covers mental health treatments, it will likely cover EMDR therapy for treating conditions like PTSD. However, insurance plans differ, so it is best to check with your provider.

How Long Is EMDR Therapy?

Depending on the complexity of the trauma, the number of sessions required can range from 3-6 sessions for a single traumatic incident to 8-12 sessions for more complex, long-term trauma. These sessions typically last an hour to 90 minutes.

What is the difference between counseling and therapy for sex addiction?

Counseling vs. therapy for sex addiction differs mainly in approach. Counseling often focuses on specific behaviors and coping strategies, whereas therapy delves deeper into the emotional and psychological roots of addiction. Both methods can be beneficial depending on individual needs.

Can online counseling create a strong therapeutic relationship?

Yes, online counseling can foster a strong therapeutic relationship by providing a confidential and accessible environment. Research shows that virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for addressing sex addiction and compulsive behaviors.

What therapeutic techniques are used in sex addiction counseling?

Effective therapeutic techniques in counseling for sex addiction include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Emotion-Focused Therapy. These approaches help individuals recognize triggers, develop healthier habits, and rebuild relationships.

Is sex addiction counseling covered by insurance?

Coverage varies, but many counseling therapy near me options accept insurance for addiction treatment. It's best to check with your provider to determine if therapy counseling services for sex addiction are included in your plan.

How to Succeed in Couples Counseling?

To get the most out of couples counseling, it's important that both of you maintain open minds and be willing to listen to each other. Here at Pneuma, we give you the support and structure to improve your communication skills, and work together to address your issues. But communication hits a dead end without listening. Pneuma's couple counseling will help you develop more effective listening and communication skills to get the most out of your counseling.

Can You Do Couples Therapy While Separated?

Couples counseling can be especially beneficial for separated couples looking to reconcile. Our supportive counselors will help guide you and your partner to identify, address and resolve negative cycles in your relationship, and improve your communication to empower you to tackle issues in your relationship in a healthy way.

Is Couples Counseling Covered by Insurance?

Couples counseling is typically not covered by insurance. However, if one of you has a mental health diagnosis, your insurance's mental health coverage may cover it. Insurance plans differ, so it is best to check with your provider.

When Should You Go to Couples Counseling?

Are you and your partner frequently arguing? Does communication keep breaking down? Are you and your partner experiencing a major life change that is affecting your relationship? It may be time to get couples counseling. Our caring and experienced counselors will help guide you through these difficulties by helping you and your partner identify issues and negative patterns, and develop the communication skills to handle them while strengthening your bond.

What is betrayal trauma, and how does it affect mental health?

Betrayal trauma occurs when a trusted person violates expectations, causing deep emotional distress. It can lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD-like symptoms, and difficulties in forming secure relationships. Therapy helps individuals process emotions, rebuild trust, and develop coping mechanisms.

What is the difference between couples therapy and marriage counseling for betrayal trauma?

Couples therapy vs. marriage counseling differs in scope. Couples therapy addresses emotional wounds, trust rebuilding, and relational healing after betrayal, while marriage counseling typically focuses on conflict resolution and communication skills.

What therapeutic approaches are used in betrayal trauma counseling?

Common therapeutic approaches in counseling for betrayal trauma include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused Therapy. These techniques help individuals process trauma, regulate emotions, and rebuild self-esteem.

Can betrayal trauma affect physical health?

Yes, betrayal trauma can lead to chronic stress, sleep disturbances, and weakened immune function. Seeking support through clinical mental health counseling can help individuals manage both the emotional and physical effects of trauma.

Hold Me Tight

A Weekend That Can Change the Way You Love

Every relationship experiences moments of distance, misunderstanding, and disconnection. The Hold Me Tight® Weekend is designed to help couples move beyond those painful cycles and rediscover the closeness they long for.

Based on the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), this engaging two-day experience provides couples with practical tools for creating greater emotional safety, trust, and lasting connection.

Rather than focusing on fixing every problem, you’ll learn how to better understand each other’s emotional needs and respond in ways that strengthen your relationship.

Many couples find this experience to be as impactful as several months of weekly couples therapy.

Whether your relationship is facing significant challenges or you’re simply looking to strengthen an already healthy partnership, this weekend offers a supportive environment where you can grow together with hope and confidence.

Throughout the weekend you’ll have opportunities to:

Understand the negative patterns that keep couples stuck
Learn how emotional connection creates lasting security
Develop healthier communication skills
Practice new ways of responding to one another
Deepen trust and emotional intimacy
Leave with practical tools you can begin using immediately

Hold Me Tight® Weekend

Reconnect. Repair. Renew Your Relationship.

Friday & Saturday, October 16–17
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location
Pneuma Chicago
53 W. Jackson Blvd.
Conference Room
Chicago, IL

Questions?
Email tabitha@pneumachicago.com

Reserve Your Spot

What is Hold Me Tight®?

Hold Me Tight® is an internationally recognized relationship education program developed from the research and principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). The weekend combines teaching, demonstrations, guided conversations, and private exercises for couples. While you’ll participate in learning as part of a group, all relationship conversations take place privately between you and your partner. No one is asked to share personal relationship details with the group.

Meet Your Presenters

Brian

Brian has spent nearly twenty years helping couples reconnect and rebuild their relationships through Emotionally Focused Therapy.

Known for his warmth, humor, and authenticity, Brian creates an environment where couples feel genuinely heard and understood. He believes that beneath conflict lies a deeper longing—to know that we matter, that our partner cares, and that we are emotionally safe with one another.

His approach is direct, compassionate, and deeply hopeful. Even when couples arrive feeling discouraged, Brian helps them discover new possibilities for healing by identifying the attachment patterns driving conflict and teaching partners how to express their needs with vulnerability and courage.

He believes that repairing a marriage is challenging work, but one of the most worthwhile investments a couple can make.

Tabitha

Tabitha is passionate about helping couples build relationships that foster lasting emotional security.

She believes healthy relationships profoundly impact not only couples themselves, but also their families and communities. Her work focuses on helping partners move beyond painful cycles so they can truly see, understand, and reconnect with one another.

Tabitha creates a compassionate, judgment-free space where couples can safely explore difficult emotions without pressure or shame. Through a secure and attuned therapeutic presence, she helps partners better understand the protective patterns that keep them disconnected while developing deeper emotional intimacy and lasting repair.

Her hope is that every couple leaves feeling more connected, understood, and equipped for the future.

Invest in Your Relationship

Healthy relationships don’t happen by accident—they’re built through understanding, responsiveness, and intentional connection.

Whether you’re working through difficult seasons or simply want to deepen the relationship you already have, the Hold Me Tight® Weekend offers practical guidance and meaningful experiences that can transform the way you relate to one another.

Reserve your place and begin building a stronger, more secure relationship together.