I have just read an interesting article in Christianity, June Edition. It talks of the plight of Christians needing help and not receiving it due to misconceptions around the need for 'proper' counseling and psychological support.
It seems there are still people in the world who believe that needing anything more than prayers and a cup of tea is going to far. Until you have been to the edge of any emotional, psychological struggles you will not appreciate the need for 'professional' help in various areas.

There are four general therapies in Christian Counseling.

Psychodynamic - Focusing on the conflicting forces within us. Theorised by Freud but perhaps worth focusing on Carl Jung.
Cognitive - (CBT) A very popular and widely growing in the NHS
Relational - emphasising the quality of relationship of counselor and Client
Integrative - A combined form of counseling, with some mixes of all.

A friend recently got in touch with a local church to make an appointment for counseling. After being encouraged to sort through things out they approached the most likely people who have a heart for seeing people set free. In fact I think they are 'real' professional Christian counselors and great at it.
The sad thing is that after drumming up the courage to finally approach them they said they would love to help but didn't have time and would refer them to someone and it kinda died there. If you make yourself available as a counselor you need to make sure you hold the hand of the person approaching you to the stage they find a new hand to hold. But I digress.

How is it that Christians feel they need to sneak off to counseling for fear of being seen as weak, unstable or slightly loopy. The article talks of the fear Christians have of the 'mental' support techniques.

I think we all need to take stock of this. None of us are bullet proof and we all need a little more than the prayers of others at times.

Do you have thoughts or experiences?