I believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. 

And, in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for all our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.  He suffered and was buried.  And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.  And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. 

And, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.  And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.  Nicene Creed, 325 CE.

The Nicene Creed, created at the First Council in Nicaea in 325 CE perfectly sums up my belief in the Triune God-  One God existing as three distinct, co-equal Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  I also believe that I am naturally sinful as King David states in Psalm 51, “surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”  We live in a fallen, sinful world that could have only been redeemed by Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross.  As sinners in a broken world, He stepped down from Heaven and took on our humanity, paying the price for our sins. He offers eternal life for those who put their trust in Him and recognize Him as their Lord and Savior.  I believe that when we repent, ask forgiveness for our sins and put our trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the same Holy Spirit that raised Him from the dead on the third day comes to live inside of us and begins to make us His new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17).  I believe that the only way to God the Father is through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I also believe that true healing begins when we care for our heart, soul and mind.  My own personal walk with our Lord has shaped not only who I am but also how I serve others.  I see therapy as a ministry as much as a profession – an opportunity to help others experience God’s love, grace and mercy while navigating life’s difficulties.  Law and Order, SVU’s Olivia Benson once stated, “Healing begins when someone bears witness.”  Sharing our story also helps us to realize we are not alone in what often can feel like the loneliest points in our lives.  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.  I will counsel you and watch over you.”  (Psalm 32:8). We have the Greatest Therapist in the world to help us on our journey despite our unworthiness– what comfort this should bring all of us.