Biblical Healing and Modern Psychotherapy Methods Not Incompatible, Says Nurse

June 12, 2015 - PRLog -- Increasing numbers of Christians are turning to psychotherapy to address mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, according to Sherrie Rice Smith, a nurse and the author of the book Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for Christians. Smith believes that psychotherapy techniques such as EFT can augment the healing practices of traditional faith.

She describes her own long journey of depression, abuse, loss and marital conflict. Decades of church counseling were unable to produce change, and she describes the hopelessness and frustration she experienced when her problems remained in place despite her unwavering faith. After she discovered EFT she experienced rapid relief from her long-standing patterns; she went on to become a certified EFT practitioner and trainer specializing in counseling other Christians. She wrote the book to dispel some of the myths that Christians hold about psychotherapy in general and EFT in particular.

EFT is a popular self-help technique used by millions of people worldwide. It combines elements of conventional psychotherapy with acupressure—manual stimulation of acupuncture points—a technique drawn from Oriental medicine. For this reason some Christians have viewed EFT with suspicion. Smith outlines the reasons why therapy methods such as EFT are not incompatible with faith-based approaches to mental health, and directly addresses the myths about modern psychology methods often held by Christians. She points out that Christians routinely use many healing tools not mentioned in the Bible, such as prescription drugs, group therapy, and surgery.

Smith draws from her background as a nurse to explain the physiological changes produced by EFT and similar therapies, such as reductions in the hormone cortisol, and regulation of stress-related genes. She outlines the theological basis for using technology and new therapeutic discoveries for healing, and how these can be integrated with a faith-based approach to healing. For Christians seeking the best of both worlds, this book shows how the two can reinforce each other.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1604152516

Book info: Energy Psychology Press, $14.95, ISBN: 978-1-160415-251-7