Multimedia Reporting (Kuhr-Musser)

With its focus on the subconscious and other, inner, causes of problems, psychotherapy is firmly planted in the social sciences. But an alternative, Christian psychotherapy, allows therapists and clients to blend secular science and religion into therapy.

Christian psychotherapy, part of a growing Christian-based therapy trend, allows therapists and clients to incorporate religion and faith into the therapy.

“I think that we have to be respectful of where the client is and what the client wants,” said Annette Norris, a therapist with Shane M. Jones & Associates in Topeka. The practice also has an office in Lawrence.

There are at least two other Christian psychotherapy practices in Lawrence: Christian Psychological Services and Jennifer Groene.

Norris estimates that 80 to 90 percent of her clients want their religion or faith to be a part of their therapy. Those who do not want religion incorporated into their therapy usually come to Norris on the recommendation of friends or an insurance company, Norris said.

She could not cite the exact number of patients she serves because of the varying lengths of time between visits. But she said her colleagues and her are consistently busy. The rising popularity of Christian-based therapy is illustrated by the growth of the American Association of Christian Counselors, an arch-organization of Christian-based therapists.

The organization began in the late 1980s with about 700 members, said George Ohlschlager, a spokesman for the AACC. Today, membership totals about 50,000.

“I think many Christians are seeking and demanding Christian counseling,” Ohlschlager said. “Similar values makes for a better counseling outcome.”

Depending on her client's needs, Norris said she might interpret Scripture or pray with a client. Mostly, though, the Bible is used to interpret a client's problems.

Mary Louise Fry, who operates a Christian-based therapy practice in Olathe, said she might analyze biblical lessons of forgiveness or tolerance with a client. While other forms of therapy might offer recommendations that conflict with a client's belief system, Fry said Christian psychotherapists can draw on the Bible and religious tenets to offer advice that does not conflict with the client's world view.

“In my situation I would not necessarily use Scripture in my practice,” said Fry, who counsels Christians as well as Muslims, Jews, and atheists. “But if that is something that would help them, then we will utilize that.”

Norris agreed that she might not incorporate religion into therapy. But Christian psychotherapy allows her to focus on the moral aspect of a problem. Other forms of psychotherapy ignore the moral aspect and focus entirely on the inner causes of problems she said.

Norris said the Bible provides therapists with”the baseline, the litmus test” for talking about specific problems and their causes, forgiveness and morality.

She compares the work of Christian psychotherapists to the counseling offered by a priest or pastor, but she said Christian therapists are trained counselors who can offer impartial advice. Norris received a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas.

“The one advantage that we find we have is that some people go to their pastor but feel uncomfortable talking about their issues,” Norris said. “We provide a neutral third party.”

All of the therapists at Shane M. Jones & Associates are Protestant – a mere coincidence according to Norris.

Norris said some religious leaders are more comfortable than others in providing counseling. Regardless of their comfort level, religious leaders are often busy with the daily duties of running a church. They often don't have the time or specialization to offer professional counseling or prescribe medication. That is where Christian psychotherapists come in.

Shane M. Jones & Associates, like many of the Christian practices in the Lawrence and Kansas City area, is a non-denominational organization with close ties to area churches. Most of Shane M. Jones & Associates' clients are referrals from local priests or pastors, Norris said.

Pieter Willems, senior pastor at Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship in Lawrence, views Christian psychotherapy practices as “para-church organizations” that complement church-provided counseling.

Willems, who has a master's of counseling degree from the University of Kansas, said he feels comfortable counseling members of his church. However, if an individual comes to him with a specific problem that he is unable to handle, Willems said he often refers them to one of the Christian therapy practices in Lawrence.

Although Christian psychotherapy has ties with churches in the community, Willem said some members of the church see a contradiction in the term “Christian psychotherapy.”

“People in the church would shy away from that label,” Willem said. “Psychotherapy has a strong humanistic aspect to it. That doesn't fit real well with Christian view points.” He added that humanism places man at the center of human existence, whereas Christianity places God at the center.

Norris said the debate extends into the Christian psychotherapy practice itself.

Norris: Sample Bible Verses

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“There is a debate in the field whether you are a psychotherapist that happens to be a Christian, or are you a Christian who does psychotherapy,” Norris said. “From the evangelical community I've heard words like 'sold-out.'”

Norris doesn't think the two terms are mutually exclusive.

"You don't have to set aside your Christianity to be a psychotherapist. Likewise, you don't have to set aside your rational, reasonable mind to be a Christian," Norris said. "It all works together."