Our life’s problems take a toll on us physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.  Having someone we can trust and who is safe to talk to about ourselves, our problems, and our spiritual walk with God can be for us a great source of support and strength.  Couples Christian Counseling | Pasadena, CA | Claremont, CA | Renew Life TherapyAnd having a therapist who is well versed both in Christian spirituality, psychotherapy, and relationship issues can be an invaluable resource for our life journey.

Do you struggle with personal or relationship difficulties and need a Christian counselor who upholds the biblical values and can help you with your issues while supporting you in your walk with God?

Are you experiencing conflicts in your marriage or with your partner and want to work with a therapist who understands Christian principles and beliefs and is committed to help couples heal and build their home on a solid foundation?

Helping individuals and couples is something I am deeply passionate about, particularly when they desire to integrate their spiritual life into therapy.  I strongly believe that, through the help of the Holy Spirit and the process of counseling, relationship problems, personal challenges, and life’s painful turns can become channels of grace as well as stepping stones for personal and spiritual growth.

What is Christian Counseling?

Christian Counseling is a unique approach to therapy that maintains a biblical view of human nature, honoring all the dimensions of a person’s life: spiritual, psychological, relational, and Christian Counseling | Pasadena, CA | Claremont, CA | Renew Life Therapyphysical.  It is a whole-person approach that integrates psychological principles with biblical truths and Christian spirituality.  Christian counselors draw on both psychology and faith to help individuals and couples cultivate a healthy, happy, and holy life, in accordance with the Will of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

As a Christian counselor, I uphold the biblical values and focus on helping my clients regain a sense of hope and meaning that is found in Christ.  In a supportive and non-judgmental way, I draw from a wealth of spiritual and psychological resources to help bring about positive change into their life.

If you desire to integrate spirituality into the process of your therapy, you would be tapping into a wealth of resources that not only can nurture your spirit, but also can enrich your life and relationships and give you a greater sense of well-being and integrity.  

Psychological and spiritual growth are both equally important

Psychological dysfunctions and unhealthy coping with stress and emotional pain can have negative impact not only on how we relate to others but also on our sense of self-worth and our spiritual life. Issues such as, depression, low self-esteem, shame, anxiety, anger, addiction, post-traumatic stress, relationship problems, etc. all these can shake our faith, cause discouragement, or dampen our inner peace and spiritual joy.  Mental Christian Counseling | Dr. Andre Estephan, LMFT, CSAT | Pasadena & Claremont, CA | Renew Life Therapyhealth issues can affect our ability to focus, think rationally, or have self-control.  This in turn can diminish our capacity to love our neighbor or our partner as ourselves (Mark 12:31) or to practice virtues such as kindness, understanding, compassion, temperance, patience, humility, meekness, kindness, or chastity, etc.

Dysfunctional emotions are often a hindrance to spiritual growth, and attenuating and healing them may not only support spiritual growth but aid in the development of personal and interpersonal functioning. Needless to say, spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, spiritual readings, centering prayer, confession, spiritual direction, etc. can help us cope and deal more effectively with life’s challenges and stresses and can sustain and strengthen us when we go through difficulties, losses, or suffering.

By interweaving spirituality and psychology, the Christian Counseling approach embraces the totality of the human existence and ensures that the whole person, body, mind, and spirit is engaged in the process of healing.

Everyone is welcome!

Given my strong background in theology, spiritual direction, and psychotherapy, as well as my experience working with people of different faith backgrounds, I welcome everyone in my counseling office.

Christian Counseling | Dr. Andre Estephan, LMFT, CSAT | Pasadena & Claremont, CA | Renew Life TherapyI conduct therapy in a spiritually-sensitive manner.  I deeply respect your personal experience and will not impose on you my values or beliefs.  Rather, I will meet you where you’re at on your personal and spiritual journey and work with you toward achieving the therapeutic change and spiritual growth that you desire for yourself.

In therapy, you are welcome to engage in conversations pertaining to your spirituality and your faith journey. From a personal experience, I understand the extent to which stress, emotional suffering, physical pain, and relationship challenges can impact one’s spiritual experience, prayer, and inner peace. In counseling, therefore, I can help you sort things out and regain a healthy, biblical perspective about yourself, your actions, your priorities, and your self-worth. Furthermore, you will be given the opportunity, if you desire so, to engage in prayer, guided imagery, spiritual reading, or Christian meditation exercise that can lift up your spirit, enrich your faith, and positively impact the outcome of your therapy.

What if you and your therapist are not of the same Christian denomination?

In spite of the differences that exist between various Christian communities and churches, they all believe in common fundamental truths that rather make them more similar than different. So, regardless of what Christian denomination you may belong to, the overall goal of all Christian counseling is to help and support you in your effort to follow Christ and keep his commandments through all your life’s challenges and difficult circumstances. Hence, at the core of faith-based psychotherapy is the care of the soul as well as the care of all other dimensions of your life, particularly your mental health and relationships.

Does prayer work? If so, why do I need counseling?

Abandoning ourselves to God and trusting totally in Him for help and strength is at the core of our life of faith in Christ. Nevertheless, God’s help seldom comes to us through a miraculous intervention that happens overnight. God often uses people (a friend, a counselor) or even life circumstances to inspire, assist, teach, or even challenge us to grow and change.  As St. Paul put it, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28).  

God may not move the mountain, but He’ll teach us how to climb.  This truth is well illustrated by the song If that mountain don’t move by Gerald Crabb.

Counseling, to me, is not merely a career but much more; it is a sacred mission! I strive to be an instrument of healing and transformation in the life of anyone that God sends my way.  I strive to creatively integrate my faith into every aspect of my life, especially my work and relationships.  It is my faith in Christ that informs and inspires my interactions with people.  I treat every person with dignity and respect regardless of who they are or what cultural or religious background they belong to.  I feel very privileged and honored when clients choose to share with me their innermost secrets, feelings, longings, or struggles. I listen with a deep sense of reverence, sensitivity, and unconditional acceptance and offer them support and guidance, trusting in the Holy Spirit to lead the process of therapy for what is most beneficial to their lives.

Are you ready to start your journey? Please don’t hesitate to contact me for a free 20 minutes phone consultation to see if I am the right fit for you. Or, simply call me to make an appointment.