Christian Counseling: Do You Believe In The Human Unconscious?

Most every driver has experienced the action of an altered state of mind. Many times over the decades of driving my car I have traveled a few blocks while so engaged in thought I didn't recall doing the driving.  I've asked myself: "How did I safely get through those last two lights without an accident? Who drove the car because it was not my conscious mind?" It's scary and feels a little like being out of control when it's critical to be consciously in control. The same unconscious part can take over when doing routine activities, such as mowing a lawn or washing dishes. Sometimes we attempt to complete a task and discover it's all ready done, and may vaguely remember doing it. Other times people tell us we said things that we swear we would or could never have said, but find we did. And, of course, there is the proverbial "slip of the tongue." The obvious answer to understanding how these things happen is that another part of us takes charge that speaks and finishes tasks. That part is the unconscious.

A parallel to the unconscious is the reality of a spiritual world. We cannot perceive that world through our five senses, which is unconscious to us, yet, as Christians, we know another entire world of spirits think, feel and act. The goal in insight-oriented counseling is to make conscious the unconscious. Similarly, our spiritual goal is to make visible the unseen world of spirituality or to bring heaven down to earth.

What is the unconscious? It is part of our mind and body that houses information. It is a bank where we deposit facts and memories that we do not want to remember because they are too fearful, shameful or guilty, for example. In that part of ourselves we cut off from consciousness wishes, impulses, fantasies, experiences and conflicted emotions, such as rage or overwhelming grief. We also have a preconscious (like a hard drive on a computer, we can search and bring up stored information, such as your cell phone number). There are moments where there is an attempted conscious interchange between consciousness and unconsciousness. When people receive thrillingly good news or catastrophically tragic news they are temporarily caught between the maneuvering conscious mind who momentarily accepts the news and in the next moment disbelieves it in an attempt to place it in the unconscious by denying its reality.

I do not believe that we were created with a divided mind; with separate conscious and unconscious parts. This was created by humans after the Fall when sin, fear, doubt, insecurity, etc. entered our awareness. It is a human adaptation to the evil in oneself and the world. It is a defense mechanism. It helps a young, powerless child cope with things like physical or sexual abuse. But the problem of the unconscious occurs later when it secretly and negatively influences the grown child's thoughts, feelings and behaviors and distorts present realities by blending the past with the present.

Does the Bible say anything about the human unconscious? Yes, indirectly it points to its existence. It reveals the idea that some of our thoughts, feelings and actions are separate from another part of us; that a gulf exists in us that keeps separate certain realities:

1. The heart is more deceitful than all else...who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
2. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. (Romans 7:20)
3. Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. (Psalm 19:12. Also see Leviticus 5:2. These verses refer to not only to sins one didn't know are wrong, but to ones he or she knows are wrong and didn't know he or she committed. It is possible this could refer to faults that we hide from ourselves.)
4.  Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. (Psalm 51:6)
5. But let it be the hidden person of the heart... (1 Peter 3:4)
6. Then God said to him in a dream... (Genesis 20:6)

Do you believe the mind is divided and that we all  have an unconscious? If so, what do you know about how it influences your life today? What do you believe God wants you to do about your unconscious, especially in light of verses that express His desire, such as, "'For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.'" (Luke 8:17) Do you desire truth in the inner most being?

Christian Counseling - ADHD in Children and Food Coloring

For more than 30 years researchers have investigated the link between food additives, such as food coloring, and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Even though additional research is needed, the current consensus derived from studies is that the additives account for about 10% of ADHD symptoms or the disorder. They report, "diet alone is probably not the driving force behind ADHD symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsive behavior." 1 

It is also reported that radical diets (eliminating processed foods, additives and a number of fruits and vegetables, such as the Feingold diet) is of no benefit to most children. If parents wonder whether or not diet affects their children, then consider the following common sense advice. Reduce the primary sources of additives (candy, soda, junk food, etc.) to see if it results in a positive change in behavior or reduced symptoms. Maintain a sensible, nutritional diet and support your child's involvement in physical activities.

What is your experience in dealing with your child's ADHD and food additives like dyes? Has it been helpful to reduce or eliminate them or not?


1 Miller, Michael Craig, M.D. FDA: No link between food colorings and hyperactivity in most children. Harvard Mental Health Newsletter. July 2011: Vol. 28, No. 1, p. 8.

Christian Counseling - Scriptural Equalizers

What is the remedy for self-condemnation, pride, poor self-image, self-centeredness, obsessive guilt, self-pity, shame, regret, disliking people and fearing people, to name a few? There are many needed helps and remedies, but here is one that stands out--scriptural equalizers.

The Bible tells us what brings down those with too high of an opinion of themselves and brings up those who lack esteem and a sense of worth--equalizers, and here are a few of them.

Truth.  From God's point of view truth gives us perspective and balance and can keep us centered in the middle in understanding we are seen by God as perfect in creation and in Christ, yet we still possess an active sin nature.

Forgiveness.  No matter how bad one is or low the behavior, God always forgives when one confesses and forgoes or attempts to forgo those same actions in the future. In this sense, no one is above us or below us. He completely removes our guilt and shame. Our secondary task is to accept it and live it.

Grace.  It is said that grace is giving us something we don't deserve. God's grace is impartial; it is for everyone, be it the rain or truth or the opportunity of eternal life. Everyone is equal in His sight, as He plays no favorites with grace.

Mercy.  It has been defined as not getting what we deserve. We all deserve to be separated from a holy and pure God who never does wrong. But His mercy permits His people to stand with Him in the Holy of Holies--His presence.

Christ.  The Greatest Equalizer, the man and God who made all of the above possible, not just for those who are good, Jewish, diligent workers, intelligent or special, but for anyone and everyone--kings and commoners, poor and wealthy, and talented and otherwise. As it has been rightly said, "We all are [equally] precious in His sight."

These and other equalizers put us on the same footing with one another--none better and none worse from God's view from His Throne. We are all His friends and brothers and sisters to each other.

Christian Counseling - Drug Addiction or Mental Illness?

Once again into the breach... Much has been written recently about a certain actor's struggles. In the discussion about him, many commentators are discussing whether he is drug addicted or mentally ill. The idea of it being one or the other represents a common misperception.

Drug treatment in the past was focused solely on the drug addiction. Rehabilitation and other forms of treatment dealt with the addiction problem as being the main problem for the individual. However, research has come to show that for people with drug issues, the drug addiction is often only part of the problem. It has been found that drug addiction often presents along with and often as a means of coping with another mental illness. This comorbidity was often left untreated. As a result, many who received drug treatment would fall back into a pattern of addiction once the treatment was completed. One reason for this is that the central issue may have been one of a comorbid mental illness (depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, etc.). This does not mean that the mental health issue is the most emergent problem. Sometimes, the drug addiction is the most immediately serious. However, from this point of view, treating the drug addiction without treating the underlying disorder(s), often leads to a recurrent problem with drugs. The main reason for this would be that, as was stated above, the drug addiction has been used as a means of coping with the mental illness. If you take away the drug that has been used to help the person cope, the chances are they will return to the drug again as the core problem has not been addressed.

When the going gets tough, we all run home to mama. Mama can be our actual mother, or it can be food, or gambling, or cocaine. We need to treat the whole person, not just the addiction. The next time you hear the argument that a problem is either an addiction or another disorder, remember that it is likely both.

Christian Counseling - Hypoactive Sexual Desire

Those who have a low sexual drive and a deficiency or absence of sexual fantasies, as determined by a clinician, that also causes personal distress or interpersonal problems would be diagnosed with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder. Self or partner determined diagnosis doesn't make it so. A lesser problem would be that the person has only traits of the disorder. From time to time, we all experience some lessened desire.

Low sexual drive or desire may be global or situational (experienced only with one's partner or one type of sexual activity). This person would rarely, or not at all, initiate sex, be reluctant to participate unless pressured by his or her partner and infrequently engage in sexual activity.

The causes of a low sexual desire are many and often include more than one of the following:
       Biological - thyroid, gonadal, adrenal, menopausal, medications (SSRI anti-depressants), pain, etc.
       Psychological - guilt, disgust, stress, fear, anxiety, depression, being sexually used or abused, etc.

The research on this disorder is anything but conclusive regarding effective treatments. It seems to me that an individual plan for each couple is best suited. That is not unlike the approach Jesus took in talking with people about their problems or questions--no single approach works for all people because everyone is unique. Research suggests that increasing a person's sexual desire is anything but easy to do. This is not meant to discourage people from pursuing help, but to align their expectations with reality. Treatment can provide at least some help, sometimes significant help.

It is a common belief that if a couple can work out their non-sexual relational problems that sexual desire and activity will follow. The research doesn't support this. It seems sexual desire and activity are separate, to a good measure, from the quality of one's emotional relationship. However, this is not often  the case for a new relationship where sexual desire grows in the garden of a loving and safe relationship. Down the road a few years couples who experience a good amount of sexual conflict must learn again how to develop their sexual relationship.

Christian Counseling - A Comment on the Arizona Shootings

I recently went on vacation so I was not "blogging" when the tragedy in Tucson, Arizona took place. Unlike some who wrote about the shootings without taking necessary time to think things through, I would like to add my comment now. Many have seemed to desire to find a narrative that fits the story. However, many commentators have projected their own biases onto the tragedy. At the risk of doing so as well, a factor that has not been discussed fully is the issue of mental health.

Mental health has been discussed somewhat in that some have said that certainly "crazy" people should not have access to guns. In discussing people like Jared Loughner as "crazy", these commentators are already showing a bias. Dealing with severely mentally ill people is something not to be taken lightly, and, for those who have experienced mental illness or cared for those who have, labelling someone as "crazy" does them and us a disservice.

Also in these discussions of people with severe mental illness, in many cases it was considered a given that those with mental illness are also violent. This allegation is simply not true. Research proves out that mentally ill people are no more prone to violence than the average person. We tend to feel uncomfortable around people that are mentally ill, and, as a result, confuse this discomfort with dangerousness.

What all of this disguises is an issue which is significant. Both in this case and the Virginia Tech shootings, significantly mentally ill people engaged in acts of horrendous violence. An important link is that both came in contact with faculty and security at the colleges that they were attending, but neither got the help that they needed. In Jared Loughner's case, he was told by the college he was attending to no longer come to campus. The people at the school felt there was enough of a danger to ask him to stay away, but, according to the current facts, never had Mr. Loughner taken to an emergency room for a psychiatric evaluation. There needs to be better policies in place in school and university settings to aid in getting help for those who are mentally ill.

Why is it important in school settings? First, when talking about people who experience a psychotic break, the onset of these issues is often during college years. Second, just as learning disabilities are often first suspected by elementary school teachers, college professors and staff are often the first to see signs of serious mental illness. These professionals act as often the first line of defense to begin the process of getting the mentally ill person help. What you will often see in these cases are a number of faculty who say afterward that they suspected something, but did not act because either they did not know what to do, or they believed someone else would do so.

I believe that these incidents have happened often enough to warrant some increased education for faculty in identifying symptoms of mental illness and a coherent policy to get students help. For every Jared Loughner who takes the lives of innocent people, there are likely hundreds of mentally ill students who do not hurt anyone, but who do not get the help they need either.

Christian Counseling - Psychotherapy, Stress and Gastrointestinal Disorders

Between 35% to 70% of people, more women then men, experience gastrointestinal disorders at least once in their lifetime and many repeatedly or chronically. A few attributable causes are sensitivity to lactose and/or gluten, stress, infection and cancer.
This writing will focus on the interaction of stress and gastrointestinal distress. Stress is defined as a person's emotional and physical responses to internal or external stimuli or stressors. Stress is not the hard or painful things that happen to us from outside of ourselves, but how we perceive and react to them. Some of the symptoms include shallow breathing, sweating, anxiety, withdrawal, pressured speech,  headaches, slowing of digestion and gastrointestinal disturbances and pain. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) to respond to the threat. Under normal circumstances the parasympathetic nervous system helps calm the body when the threat is under control. But an abnormal response under severe, prolonged  and/or repeated stress can cause the General Adaptation Syndrome. This refers to a person who lives in the chronic state of hyperalterness, tension and stress.

There are three researched psychotherapies that show they help in easing gastrointestinal disorders or coping with them. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) research has revealed it helps with coping, but not in reducing pain. Relaxation therapies, such as: muscle relaxation, controlled breathing, visualization, and calming music, have shown to improve symptoms, especially in combination with CBT. Hypnosis research reveals significant gains in reducing symptoms including pain through deep relaxation, autogenics (warming or cooling of physically troubled areas) and positive suggestions.1,2

What have you found to be of help in reducing your symptoms, coping with or recovering from gastrointestinal problems?


1   Contrary to some Christians' view, hypnosis is not an ungodly practice. It does not require a complete surrender to the mind or words of another, nor does it open a person up to the influences of the devil. Under hypnosis, clients always retain control over themselves, unlike you see on stage where people quack like a duck--that's all show business. It is similar to a whisper that can sink deep into the heart. Elijah found God not in the earthquake or wind or fire, but in a gentle blowing or whisper (I Kings 19:11,12).

2  Miller, Michael Craig, M.D. Stress and the Sensitive Gut. Harvard Mental health Letter. August 2010: Vol. 27, No. 2, pg. 6.

Christian Counseling - Family Guy Insensitivity

To begin, I do not agree with most of what our society calls "political correctness". In many ways, we have become too sensitive to perceived slights and insults and have become much too easily offended as individuals and as groups. That being said, a recent episode of Fox's Family Guy has not just crossed the line but leaped over it further than Carl Lewis could have ever dreamed. In the episode, the writers not only insulted Sarah Palin, but also her son Trig, who suffers from Down Syndrome. When did it become acceptable to attack the children of public figures? Worse, when did it become acceptable to attack the developmentally disabled children of public figures?

Having worked with many families who deal with the challenges of raising children who deal with developmental disabilities, they deserve our admiration not our scorn. When we have children, we dream many dreams for them: playing sports, excelling in school, getting married, providing us with grandchildren. For those with children with disabilities, may of these dreams will not become reality. While raising their children, they also have to grieve over some of the dreams that may never come true.

In addition, when we think about parenting, we know that at some point our direct role as parents will end (hopefully around 18, but, in this day and age, more likely 25). However, for parents of those with disabilities, their job as parents never ends. They need to think about and make plans for what will happen to their child even after mom and dad have passed.

With all of these struggles, they should not have to deal with people insulting them or their children. In Sarah Palin's case, whether you agree with her politics or not, by raising a special needs child and by raising awareness of the needs of the disabled, she is doing a noble thing.

With advances in pregnancy testing, we are already aborting many children who would be born with Down Syndrome. We need to work toward protecting them both before and after they are born. I have written a letter of complaint to Fox regarding the broadcast of the Family Guy. I would encourage others who feel the same way to do likewise.

Christian Counseling - Vaccinations and Autism

Last week a prominent European medical journal retracted a 1998 article regarding the link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The article, when published, resulted in parents declining vaccinations for their children. As a result, diseases that were essentially eradicated due to vaccinations began to come back. Measles, for instance, saw a significant resurgence in England as a result of vaccinations being declined.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/health/research/03lancet.html

Although future studies have not supported the link between vaccinations and autism, people have continued to believe in the results of the study published in 1998. The lead researcher, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, has been the subject of much controversy regarding his research methods as well as a potential financial incentives regarding his research. The official discrediting of his research by the Lancet, the journal that published the article, will hopefully begin to close the door on the theory that vaccinations are causing autism.

The question remains as to what is the cause of the increase in the diagnosis of autism. One of the difficulties is that the research that is being done is largely correlational in nature. While there may be many factors that are correlated with the increase in the diagnosis of autism, it is important to remember that correlation does not imply causation. Another way of saying this is that just because the rooster crows and then the sun comes up does not mean that the rooster is causing the sun to come up.

The most likely explanation for the increase in the diagnosis of autism is that the diagnostic category of autism itself has changed. The autistic spectrum has broadened. In other words, there is a larger umbrella which now covers more children. The diagnostic category now contains children with very mild forms of the disorder as well as children who are more severely autistic. While more children are being diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders, there are fewer children being diagnosed with language disorders, for instance. Many of the children with these issues are now falling under the diagnostic umbrella of autism.

When dealing with a diagnosis as devastating as autism, it is important to do careful research to look for answers. However, before we decide on an environmental cause, consider the increase in the diagnoses of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Again, some would like to argue that there is some type of environmental toxin at work. However, the most likely explanation for the increase in the diagnoses of these diseases is that life expectancy is increasing. As we live longer, people who would have died of other illnesses prior to reaching an age where they would develop Alzheimer's or Parkinson's are now surviving longer only to eventually develop these devastating diseases.

The causes of Autism is an issue that many people are passionate about. I am thankful that people are passionate about the health and well-being of our children. Our passions need to be guided by reason. As we pursue a greater understanding of the causes of autism and its treatment, we would be wise to consider all possibilities. However, we must also be willing to eliminate certain possibilities should the evidence not support them. Finally, when working with patients, I tell them that I am willing to turn over any rock in order to understand and ameliorate their difficulties. The only thing that I ask of them is that we turn over the big rocks first.