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.

Partner and Family

partner & family

Healing from Betrayal Trauma

Helpful Resources

A House Interrupted by Maurita Corcoran
Cutting Ties: Healing from Betrayal Trauma as the Spouse of an Addict
Your Sexually Addicted Spouse: how partners can cope and heal by Marsha Means and Barbara Steffens
Open Hearts: Renewing Relationships with Recovery, Romance, and Reality by Dr. Patrick Carnes, Debra Laaser, and Mark Laaser
Mending a Shattered Heart: A Guide for Partners of Sex Addicts by Dr. Stephanie Carnes
A Couples Guide to Sexual Addiction: A Step-by-Step Plan to Rebuild Trust and Restore Intimacy by Paldrom Collins and George Collins
Surviving Disclosure: A Partner’s Guide for Healing and the Betrayal of Intimate Trust by Dr. M. Deborah Corley and Dr. Jennifer Schneider
For Love and Money: Exploring Sexual & Financial Betrayal in Relationships by Debra Kaplan
Sex, Lies, and Forgiveness (3rd Edition) by Dr. Jennifer Schneider and Burt Schneider
Facing Heartbreak: Steps to Recovery for Partners of Sex Addicts by Stephanie Carnes
Shattered Vows: Hope and Healing for Women Who Have Been Sexually Betrayed
Intimate Treason: Healing the Trauma for Partners Confronting Sex Addiction by Claudia Black
Back From Betrayal: Recovering from the Trauma of Infidelity by Jennifer Stinger
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Before the Dust Settles (Advice from a Sex Addict’s Wife): 8 Mistakes to Avoid Immediately After Discovering Your Partner’s Sex Addiction
Living with a Sex Addict: The Basics from Crisis to Recovery
Moving Beyond Betrayal: The 5-Step Boundary Solution for Partners of Sex Addicts
Treating Trauma from Sexual Betrayal: The Essential Tools for Healing
30 Covert Emotional Manipulation Tactics: How Manipulators Take Control In Personal Relationships
Journey to Healing and Joy (workbook) by Marsha Means
The Couple’s Guide to Intimacy: How Sexual Reintegration Therapy Can Help Your Relationship Heal
Erotic Intelligence: Igniting Hot, Healthy Sex While in Recovery from Sex Addiction

Partner and Family

Healing from Betrayal Trauma

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