HOW WE HELP

The most common psychotherapeutic modalities used at Carlson Counseling are an eclectic combination. Usually, cognitive therapy & psychodynamic therapy are emphasized. But, also commonly added, are behavior therapy, existential therapy, family therapy and sometimes hypnosis. And, if any client is amenable to it, a Christian, Biblical & Faith-based approach is applied or is at least an underpinning to the therapy as well.

Before I describe each traditional therapy, certain Scriptures related to these methods come to mind, especially regarding how people are helped by this integrative approach. Along with these Holy Scriptures mentioned are a few of the associated therapeutic methodologies we use and how they address different time realms in a person’s timeline. As you will see, there is an eclectic blend of therapies practiced at Carlson Counseling, attending to all phases of a person’s lifetime.

Thus, by changing the way that you are, it will change the way you relate to others, and in turn, it will “change” the way they relate to you. Of course, you cannot change another human, but you can be impressive, persuasive and an excellent role model and example for others to imitate! With this new understanding, everyone can arrive at an exciting place of new potential, with a  new world of opportunities for new possibilities. Love, Joy & Peace like “Living Water” will be “poured”  into you, through you and out of you for all to enjoy.

The Past

• (Matthew 5: 23,24) “If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  [This has to do with finishing up “unfinished business” (the past), “recorded” in the mind as memories and “uploaded” into the frontal lobes (heart), then expressed in “transferences”, as is explored and analyzed in psychodynamic therapy (and psycho-biologically-based theories). ]

The Present

• (Hebrews 3: 7,8) “Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion.” [This has to do with, “today”, (the now) and dealing with doing and thinking clearly what needs to be done in “real-time” and regarding just “being” and existing in the immediate circumstances and in the immediate disposition of one’s heart; this generally is the focus of behavior therapy, cognitive therapy and in existential/ humanistic psychotherapy.]

The Future

• (Hebrews 12: 1,2) “Therefore…let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and maturer (finisher/ perfecter) of our faith…” [This deals with eschatology (the future]: The part of theology (integrated with psychology) concerned with death, judgement, and the final destiny of the souls and of humankind” (Oxford dictionary) the final events in history and of one’s own life (and physical death), and the coming of the Messiah and the world to come, especially the kingdom of God, heaven.]

• (Philippians 4: 13,14) “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting about what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  [This Scripture also directs us to the future, a goal-oriented type of therapy with the perspective and goal of pursuing a purposeful life in the future; even toward attaining eternal life!

All therapies at this office ultimately focus on the solutions in the future, more than the problems in the past. For lack of a better term, we might call this Eschatological therapy! (Say that 10 times fast)]

So overall, at Carlson Counseling, all three of these realms of time are considered in our work: The past, the present, and the future. We treat a diverse range of issues, in past and present, but ultimately with future-oriented perspective; our goal is to:

1. Create new perspectives and understandings now,

2. To help the person let go of the things that are holding them back in the past, and these, in order to

3. Walk in newness of life, moving forward toward a brighter, happier, more fulfilling future.