Q421 : Mental Illness and Psychiatry

Hi, I have a question regarding psychiatry and mental illness from a biblical perspective. I’m really trying to navigate between the number of different voices in evangelicalism for there are ones that hold to more of a nouthetic counseling model which seems more robust and scriptural and that of the integration model.

I’ve done a little bit of reading and research through the years as I was entrenched in sin and depravity with major drug addictions and rebellion about 13 years ago which involved being locked down in mental institutes, rehab centers, and a number of different medications during that time I was on and after so it is a personal thing to me though I don’t mind at all this question to be out online especially if it might or can help others that have had or have similar struggles.

I was off medicines for about 10 years with a number of intense struggles during that time, but went back on one of them about a year ago when I was dealing with major depression. I believe that Lord has brought healing to me and my family and have been experiencing more of a relationship with the Lord and owing up to my sin and repentance and faith in the Jesus i am looking forward to being medication free and experience the freedom in Christ alone with a committed walk with Him.

I am looking for help if I’m thinking rightly about this and would like to be more grounded and confident in approaching these matters that honors the Lord and what is true to what He has revealed in His word.

Thank you in advance and looking forward to your response!

A421 : by Tony Garland

If I’m understanding your question, you are asking whether to favor nouthetic over integrative counseling as a preferred avenue of assistance.

I agree with your assessment: the nouthetic counseling mode is “more robust and scriptural [than] the integration model.”

A major problem with the integration model is it is based upon principles of secular psychology, most of which are antithetical to the teachings of Scripture.

The root problems of our human nature are only laid bare by God’s Word. He is the one Who made us, Who truly understands the effects of The Fall on our human nature, and Who ultimately died to establish the basis upon which we—and the entire creation—ultimately find redemption and healing.

I would encourage you to plug into a local Christian fellowship—if you haven’t already. Preferably one that has a high view of God’s Word and hasn’t succumbed to the plethora of secular compromises which daily assault Christian Churches.

The church we attend offers a counseling ministry trained and certified by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors^a which trains Christians using the nouthetic counseling model. Perhaps you can locate a church with similarly-trained counselors^b in your area.

May the Lord continue to guide you toward complete freedom in Christ through sound application of the Word resulting in a committed walk with Him!