Beyond Therapy

Therapy is the most excellent strategy one could ever imagine to help set people free mentally, emotionally, and yes, even physically. However, as your therapist, you will surely experience something called Beyond Therapy (BT). Beyond Therapy is a phrase a friend of mine used to describe her experiencing me. BTW, It’s always great to let people share with you how they experience you. It wasn’t until after several sessions with my clients, where their sentiments began to concur with my friend. As my clients described their experience of therapy, I started to put two and two together. As I took time to meditate on Beyond Therapy, it was not until I came across a devotional regarding Adam and Eve.
Now, first of all, let me say that I am a believer or a Christian. My Seminary friends and I used to say PentaBaptist. As I grew up Catholic, and received salvation under a Baptist church, and ordained a minister in a non-denominational/pentecostal church. My faith in Christ is at the core of who I am; however, I do not impress my beliefs on to my clients. However, I do want to acknowledge my Savior/God/Holy Spirit, as with me, when I come into the session, you will get Jesus and Therapy. Like God, my Father has given me the gift to discern and help my clients obtain freedom and healing in whatever capacity God uses me in each session. My purpose in every session with my clients is to honor their beliefs and provide a safe space for breakthroughs and healing. I also walk with my clients out of the darkness and in the marvelous light, where they can breathe, have clarity of thought, and be united back to themselves.
Now that’s out the way; let us get back to Beyond Therapy!
As I read about Adam and Eve and their conversation with the Father, I had an aha moment. You see, Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, but after their sin and punishment for not following God’s instruction, Adam takes it upon himself to name Eve. Adam named every other living creature, which makes the difference of him naming Eve? Well, I am glad you asked.
Adam named Eve, which means “mother of all the living.” It’s here where therapy and faith integrated. God ministered to me about Beyond Therapy.
Beyond Therapy is a way to speak life into my clients, by providing a listening ear and mirroring for their healing. Also, I love to champion and encourage my clients. I recognize that Beyond Therapy is speaking to the Imago Dei (The Image of God) in a person. As I honor, respect, and value their lives and their trust. I recognize now that I am engaging in Beyond Therapy when I am listening and engaging to encourage my clients. In 1 Peter 2:9 is says, But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His special people that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you.” To bring this together for you, Beyond Therapy is the same action steps that Adam took when he spoke to Eve and named her mother of all the living. Adam named Eve after what will come as a result of her life, and not after the ramifications of her sin. Beyond Therapy in my sessions with clients is like me speaking to the special person in my clients, and the Royal Priesthood in you. Beyond Therapy helps build people back up from the mountain of anxiety, grief, hurt, trauma, stress, and the fog of depression. When I work with couples, I encourage them to do the same with each other, as Imago Therapy, is also a resource for couples to be the catalyst to help their spouse heal. I’d like to insert a shout here, a Hallelujah, and Thank you Jesus because that there my friends is Beyond Therapy, I am a witness. Breakthrough and healings do take place because of the honor and mindfulness of who we are speaking.
The best thing about Beyond Therapy and this Adam and Eve analogy, is that Adam did not call Eve by what she’s done or what she experienced in her lifetime, but Adam spoke life over her for that was the result of her name, for life came forth from Eve after this encounter. Proverbs 18:21 says, Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Adam spoke life, and not condemnation over Eve because of her sin. Neither do I, I do not judge for sharing their truth, instead I honor them for doing so. Beyond Therapy will now be an intentional mindset that I have when I see each of my clients. I consider it a gift and I am grateful to now say that Beyond Therapy is me speaking to the you that's inside of you, the special person, the imago Dei, and the royal priesthood.

Be Blessed & Know that I am here for you,

~Jamice A. Holley