From mental health advocate Tabitha Yates, Jesus and Therapy is a deeply powerful and essential exploration of mental health within the Christian community. More than just an examination--this book is a heartfelt invitation to begin crucial conversations in the church and offer hope to those who feel isolated and misunderstood.
Tabitha Yates knows firsthand the shadows that mental health struggles can cast, especially within a church setting. During a particularly dark period of her life, she found that the sanctuary she hoped would provide refuge often deepened her pain, leaving her feeling abandoned and unseen. Her own journey through depression, anxiety, and a suicide attempt has uniquely equipped her to understand and assist others who find themselves in similar situations, as well as to guide church leaders in providing meaningful support to their struggling members. Now, Yates works as a mental health advocate to combat common myths surrounding mental health and encourage unifying, healing dialogue within the Christian community.
In Jesus and Therapy: Bridging the Gap Between Faith and Mental Health, Yates combines insights from psychology, personal experience, and Scripture to offer practical steps for confronting and healing trauma. This book is a beacon for those who feel lost in their faith while grappling with mental health challenges. It provides pastors and faith leaders with the tools to approach these struggles with empathy and understanding, while additionally serving as a valuable resource for mental health professionals.
Jesus and Therapy will help readers: Learn how to address and counter the misconceptions that surround Christian experiences of anxiety and depressionFind ways to address trauma and recover from the wounds inflicted by others within the faith communityEstablish healthy boundaries and navigate relationships with fellow believersAcknowledge that mental illness, like physical ailments, can not always be solved with faith aloneDiscover how individuals battling mental health challenges play a crucial role in the body of ChristReconnect with a God who loves and accepts you unconditionally.
Vulnerable and candid, Jesus and Therapy ignites a necessary dialogue between the faith and mental health communities, guiding readers toward healing, understanding, and a deeper, more loving relationship with God.
Praise for Jesus in Therapy
"In Jesus and Therapy, Tabitha reaches out to the hurting silent, those fearfully hiding in the shadows trying to be safe. She writes with fire, passion, and expertise born only out of experience."--Mary Aspelund, founder of Warrior Women
"Between her unabashed willingness to delineate the unseen depths of trauma, mental health, and faith, and her writing that is all at once visceral, relatable, and witty; Tabitha is a true rarity. Her words are the unspoken truths of millions." --Sophia San Filippo, managing editor of Love What Matters
"In all my years of being a therapist, I have never encountered a more valuable read when it comes to addressing the myth that mental illness is due to a lack of faith in God. Tabitha's words of wisdom, unfortunately gleaned from her own traumatic experiences, have helped many of my clients who have suffered at the hands of (mostly) well-meaning church leaders. Guilt and shame are common among those with mental illness, and she hits the nail right on the head when she explains that these feelings do not come from God, and that "It's okay to need Jesus AND a therapist."--Jennifer Nuss, licensed professional counselor at Attuned Counseling and Trauma Therapy