At the intersection of spiritual truth and neuroscience is what I like to call the power of with. One of the first things God said about us is that it is not good for us to be alone and that reality takes shape at a biological level. It is detrimental, deformative even, for us to be alone. Human beings are not only designed for connection, but we heal through it. The brain is a social organ shaped and healed through safe, attuned relationships.
Because of the way we are made, healing happens not in isolation, but through being with—with God, with others, and even with our own internal experiences. In counseling, the “power of with” means the therapist becomes a compassionate witness to help you feel seen, soothed, safe, and secure. This mirrors how God meets us in our pain—not by fixing from afar, but by entering in. The “with-ness” of Emmanuel, God with us—embodies the ultimate model for therapeutic presence. For our counseling team, it is our greatest privilege and our greatest asset to be with you wherever you are. Whether in trauma therapy, marriage counseling, crisis intervention, post-partum care, life transitions or addiction recovery, healing unfolds when someone no longer feels alone in their struggle.
Adam Young, who is known for his work in Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) says it this way, “To be human is to be wounded. However, wounds heal naturally when the environment is right… and the right environment for healing is the empathic presence of another.”
People are not one size fits all when it comes to counseling care. Our team is made up of counselors who offer a variety of specialties that we hope express this truth. The Living Well model of therapy aims to help you create a sense of safety in your body, healthy attachments in your relationships (the “with” restored in meaningful connection) and awareness of God’s steadfast presence in your day to day. As we do this, we hope to help you engage practical tools with support and encouragement from a wise guide who walks with you as you grow.
The power of with integrates grace and growth, presence and practice, compassion and courage. Whatever you are walking through, we want to urge you to remember that we aren’t meant to walk alone. Being with is where true transformation begins.