Christian Counseling in Chicago
transform your relationships by inviting Jesus into the room
You want to feel comfortable in your own skin: Can Christian counseling help?
There is it again, that unsettling sensation in your stomach that makes you hold back and shrink away. You’re so tired of feeling this way, especially around people you know love you. But even though you logically know they care, sometimes it’s hard to fully believe it in your heart.
You find yourself hyperaware of every small facial expression or tone of voice, scanning for signs that you are not liked. Or worse, that they want to leave you. When this happens, it sends you into a downward spiral of overthinking, self-criticism, and feeling stuck.
You want to feel more connected to God and those around you
You love God. When you feel close to Him, you experience comfort and encouragement, knowing you have everything you need. But the anxiety you’ve been feeling in your relationships has started to affect your connection with Him. Sometimes, it’s hard to feel His presence, and that scares you. You wonder, Is there something wrong with me? Aren’t Christians supposed to have faith and be strong?
You’ve tried talking to church friends, but well-meaning comments like, “Just pray and surrender,” or “Don’t feel alone; God is with you,” haven’t helped. You’re worried that if you share your real feelings, you’ll be judged for not having enough faith or not trying harder. This leaves you feeling even more isolated. You long for someone who understands your faith and can also help you work through this without making you feel like something is wrong with you.
Heal your anxious heart and feel more connected to God and in your relationships through Christian Counseling in Chicago
Let me reassure you: there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Really. Experiencing anxiety, self-doubt, or insecurities in relationships doesn’t mean you’re deficient.
My name is Lisaura, and as a clinical counselor and dance therapist who offers Christian counseling in Chicago, I can help you:
Understand and heal the root causes of the anxiety
Feel more comfortable and confident in your own skin by connecting to God
Build a better sense of closeness and security in your relationships
Having been on your side of the couch, I understand the transformative power of therapy when Jesus is invited into the process. Together, we’ll tune into God’s presence in a way that feels authentic to you, gaining His perspective as we navigate your challenges.
Therapy with me will not feel “preachy.” I will not judge your Christian walk or tell you what to do. I’m honored to collaborate with you and help you include Jesus in your wellness journey while taking practical steps toward change.
Transform your relationships and gain a heavenly perspective: What Christian counseling in Chicago can look like
My clients often say their favorite part of therapy is tangibly experiencing Jesus in our sessions, feeling His presence, connecting with hope, and gaining new perspectives on their relationships. In sessions, this can be practiced through prayer, interactive exercises involving body awareness, and at times through journaling, worship songs, and movement. These experiential moments are invitations; you can decide what feels right for you.
Some clients bring Scripture and songs to the session to help them connect with God and make sense of their relationship patterns. You can feel free to include them in your therapy process, and I may also make some suggestions when relevant.
You will find that I will often encourage you to slow down and pay attention to what you are experiencing in your body as you share. Increasing the awareness of your mind and body can help you feel more present, less distracted, and become receptive to noticing your connection with God. Describing physical sensations can also help organize your emotions and thoughts and develop clarity about the changes you want to make.
Schedule a free consultation for Christian Counseling in Chicago
Are you ready to feel more grounded in your faith, find peace in your relationships, and feel more confident? You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Through compassionate support and Christ-centered care, you can experience healing and a deeper connection with God and those around you.
Let’s start with a conversation. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today and discover how Christian counseling in Chicago can help you move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling uplifted and equipped for meaningful change!
I am a Spanish-speaking therapist. Pregúntame por una consulta gratis.
Ready to get started with Christian Counseling in Chicago?
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Christian Counseling in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
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Christian counseling and pastoral counseling both integrate faith into the healing process, but they differ in focus and approach. Christian counseling is provided by licensed mental health professionals who are trained to address emotional, relational, and psychological challenges while incorporating your faith. It combines evidence-based therapeutic techniques with a Christ-centered perspective, offering tools to help you navigate issues like relationship struggles, anxiety, or trauma.
On the other hand, pastoral counseling is often provided by clergy or church leaders and focuses primarily on spiritual guidance. While incredibly valuable for addressing questions of faith or theological concerns, pastoral counseling may not include the clinical training or therapeutic techniques that Christian counselors bring to help with mental health and relational challenges.
Both approaches are meaningful in their own way, and it’s okay to seek one or both depending on your needs!
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If you tend to feel anxious in your relationships, experience low self-esteem or confidence, or feel disconnected from your sense of faith or identity in a way that causes distraction or difficulty engaging in your everyday life, you may consider Christian counseling.
Maybe you’ve prayed, journaled, or sought advice from trusted friends or small groups, but nothing seems to bring lasting change.
Christian counseling offers a space to explore your challenges with someone who understands your faith and can help you invite Jesus into the healing process. It can be especially helpful if you’re navigating:
Struggles in your relationships
Feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or overwhelm
A desire to grow spiritually while addressing emotional or mental health concerns
If you’re longing for deeper connections, clarity, and practical tools to align your faith with your relationships and emotional well-being, Christian counseling may be the right step for you.
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I’m so glad you asked! My formal training is in Psychology, along with a Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling. While I am a Christian, I didn’t specifically train in Christian counseling. Instead, I had the opportunity to develop this skill over a decade of practice while working at a residential treatment center for adolescent girls and women. During that time, I collaborated on developing the curriculum for the center’s Christian Therapy program.
As part of the Christian program, I also received training in prayer and healing ministries such as Immanuel Prayer and Sozo. Both approaches, though applied differently, focus on finding and removing barriers in our connection with God that contribute to challenges like trauma, addiction, emotional distress, and maladaptive behaviors. I’ve integrated some of the skills I learned from these ministries into interactive exercises that I use during sessions with clients.
The experiential focus of dance therapy-through the mind-body connection and movement-has been incredibly valuable in refining my ability to help clients fully connect with God, themselves, others, and the world around them.
As a Christian, my faith deeply informs everything I do. I believe we were created to build bonds rooted in safety and love, and this belief aligns beautifully with the therapeutic approaches I use. These include attachment theory and holistic healing through the connection of mind, body, and spirit.
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Not at all! I offer Christian counseling by request and meet with Christian and non-Christian clients regularly.
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Great questions! As a believer in Jesus, I greatly value respect, honor, and creating belonging. I believe that as a human on this earth, you are inherently valuable, and sharing on your wellness journey for a season is an opportunity I don’t take lightly.
I am aware of my biases and hold them with open hands seeking support from trusted colleagues and friends and God’s wisdom through prayer. I hope to collaborate in getting you where you want to be. You are welcome in my office!
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Yes! Spirituality can look different for each person, and I understand that it goes beyond religious affiliations. I enjoy helping my clients feel more connected to what makes them come alive and gives them purpose. Aligning with your spirituality in sessions can help you navigate life challenges while practicing love, empathy, compassion, forgiveness, and self-acceptance.