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Women’s Issues

Orange County Christian Counseling

Common Issues Addressed in Christian Counseling for Women

When you’re thinking about your lifelong health management as a woman, don’t forget that women’s health issues include mental health care. Women are more likely to seek therapy than men, and the fact that you are a woman matters, both in your comfort with your therapist and in how your concerns are addressed in therapy.

As a woman, you might be dealing with the same problem as a man, but you will most likely experience it differently than a man would and need a different therapeutic approach in addressing it.Additionally, women have the potential to encounter many life stages that men do not – pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, childbirth, etc. All these women’s health issues are intertwined with emotional and mental needs and concerns.

For example, a common health problem many women struggle with is PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). This condition can significantly impact a woman’s life but is sometimes mistaken for Bipolar Disorders if hormonal factors are not considered. A counselor who is knowledgeable in women’s health issues can often be more helpful in identifying both problems and solutions for areas of concern.

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Areas of Focus in Christian Counseling for Women

No matter your age or stage of life, you can benefit from meeting with a faith-based counselor who can support you as you seek to heal, thrive, and manage your current circumstances with grace and strength.

Here are some of the most common concerns women seek to address at [Christian Counseling]:

Mental Health Concerns

Women experience both anxiety and depression at rates higher than men (Anxiety and Depression Association of America). Other mental health conditions commonly addressed in therapy include disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, and personality disorders.

Some mental health concerns are specific to women, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder, mentioned above, prenatal and postpartum anxiety, prenatal and postpartum depression, etc. Hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life can trigger some of these concerns. Your counselor can work in conjunction with your medical doctor to ensure your concerns are addressed.

Childhood Issues

It’s common to still struggle as an adult with things that happened when you were a child. Whether you experienced complex family dynamics, divorce, betrayal or abandonment by a parent, or something as severe as abuse or neglect, addressing those wounds can open the door for healing and positive change.

Abuse and Trauma

Many of us have faced trauma in our lives that we have never fully resolved. It can be frightening to address trauma that feels buried and ignored. The counselors at [Christian Counseling] are experienced and skilled in therapeutic techniques that can help you address painful and unresolved issues from your past or ongoing concerns you think may fit the category of abuse.

Relationship Issues

All of us have important relationships in our lives with which we can sometimes struggle. Whether you want to discuss friendships, family relationships, dating, engagement, or marriage, Christian counseling can help you understand and grow in how you relate to others, developing healthy boundaries and closer, more positive relationships as you thrive and flourish as a woman along the way.

Marriage is often the most intense relationship there is since it is the most intimate and long-term relationship we have. Whether you want to improve a good marriage or repair a damaged one, individual counseling can be a good place to start. Individual Christian counseling can also be a place to discuss divorce and remarriage and find support for your journey of healing and rebuilding.

A Woman’s Life Cycle

Adolescence, fertility struggles, pregnancy, childbirth, being a new mom, parenting throughout the years, becoming an empty nester, going through menopause – each of these stages involves physical and/or emotional changes (and in some cases, upheaval) during a woman’s life. Finding therapeutic support during these transitions can make all the difference between surviving and thriving.

Self-Worth and Body Image

Whether you struggle with low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, finding a healthy balance, or an eating disorder, counseling can uncover the lies that obscure the fact that you are made in the image of God. Christian counseling can also help you identify changes you want to make and support you in your journey towards wholeness and freedom.

Chemical Dependency

If you struggle with sobriety or substance use disorder, accountability goes a long way towards keeping a commitment to change. Don’t wait to seek help. There is no shame in acknowledging that you’re struggling; talking about it can be the first step towards freedom.

Career Development

We know that as women, it’s impossible to “have it all” – a thriving career, family, and home life, not to mention finding the time for self-care and personal development. All these issues can be worked through in Christian counseling, and your counselor can help you establish priorities, set goals, assess where you want to grow, and make time for yourself along the way.

Spiritual Development

As faith-based professionals, the counselors at [Christian Counseling] are here for you in your spiritual journey as well as to support your mental and emotional growth. No matter what your current or future circumstances hold for you, you have God’s promises that he will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Sometimes that promise can be hard to hold onto. Maybe you want accountability for a specific sin issue, help understanding Scripture, or help to grow in your faith. No matter where you are in your faith journey, we are committed to supporting you and demonstrating the love of God that meets you where you are.

How Can Counseling for Women’s Issues Help?

Here are a few common goals and benefits you can receive in Christian counseling for women:

Personal healing. No matter what pain or loss you’ve experienced, there is hope and healing to be found in Christ. There can also be relief and support in the therapeutic models of professional counseling when they are used in service to Christ. An integrated, individualized treatment plan will be available to you.

Personal growth. Whether or not you have a significant loss, trauma, or mental health concern you’d like to address, Christian counseling can help you identify areas of your life where you’d like to grow and change for the better and offer support and guidance along the way.

Emotional safety and compassion. Vulnerability is not easy, but self-disclosure is always rewarding in the end. It can be a relief to have a listening ear and a judgment-free place to share during the challenging seasons of your life.

Spiritual support. The Bible promises us that we are never alone, but we are also meant to walk in community with other believers in the church. A Christian counselor can be a listening ear and encouragement that you need when you feel alone, that your needs aren’t being met, or that you never have time to take care of yourself.

No matter what you are facing, you do not have to face it alone. It can be hard to set aside the time to prioritize your mental and emotional health, but when you do take the time to care for yourself, everyone around you will benefit, including those who depend on you. Your spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being can improve your health and allow you to be able to fulfill your responsibilities and enjoy your life and relationships without feeling burned out and overwhelmed.

Seeking counseling is a big step, but it’s a sign of maturity to be willing to ask for support. Rest assured that you will encounter a respectful and compassionate environment at [Christian Counseling].

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I feel like there’s no hope for things to change?

Thankfully, a feeling of hopelessness doesn’t mean there’s no hope. We have seen many answers to prayer and changed situations with our clients, and it’s also true that sometimes the change happens in you, which can eventually change things around you. Although you may feel that you are alone and things will never change, you are still in the middle of the story. You don’t know what God has for you in the next chapter.

How long does therapy usually last?

The number of sessions depends on your main concern(s), any medical needs, and your treatment plan. Your counselor will collaborate with you to set goals and discuss a potential number of sessions or length of treatment.Remember that your first session is risk-free. Contact us today at (949) 281-3240 to schedule your first appointment.

Sources:

https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/women-issues

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics

Testimonials

Jamie Stodola is kind and gentle and really knows how to go after what is getting in the way. She takes great care in handling sensitive issues, and she does so with courtesy and respect. I felt dignified and acknowledged throughout the work we accomplished together. I am grateful to have found a reliable and trustworthy ally to assist me in my spiritual challenges.

Jamie Stadola has wonderful insight and compassion that allows you to feel heard, make positive steps forward, and feel safe as you reflect and grow.

Dr. Joe is the best. He is one of the smartest, kindest and most generous individuals I have ever met. He is knowledgeable in many areas. He listens without judging. He has literally saved my life. He has given me direction and the tools to help me make smart decisions and deal with my feelings, that can often get in the way of my success. I would recommend him to anyone!

Dr Joe is a very smart healthcare Practicioner, liked by patients and staff alike. He is very personable and really makes a positive difference in his patients’s lives!

Dr. Joe is personable and though he holds many degrees and has years of experience as a mental health provider, he is relatable. He makes therapy something I look forward to versus something that needs to be done.