Clergy members provide spiritual direction, offer a positive relationship, and nurture their congregants, often without support for their own mental health.
They are held in high regard across the U.S. for their leadership, compassion, and lifestyle but that high regard comes with a price: Clergy members and their families are perceived to be faultless and flawless.
That creates a lot of pressure!
Clergy members and their families may feel they can’t mess up or have to hide their human side. However, they are people too.
They also struggle with boundaries, self-care, depression, and anxiety.
Not only that, they often feel isolated because they are in a unique position that few understand.
Research shows that clergy members experience high levels of burnout because they’re balancing the needs of their church or synagogue while also continuing to function as normal human beings.
And because of that leadership position, clergy members often struggle to ask for help because they’re so used to being in the supportive role.
Or they think they should “be strong” and handle their issues on their own.
If you are a clergy member or a clergy family member, please know you don’t have to suffer alone.
You are worthy and deserving of help just as much as anyone else.
I wrote my dissertation about counseling clergy members because I understand how important it is.
Not only have I conducted extensive research on the niche issues facing the clergy, but I also have experience counseling clergy members and their children as well as spouses.
I recognize you (if you’re a clergy member) and your family may struggle with the idea of speaking with a therapist. What if they don’t understand you? What if they don’t get how important your faith is?
How can anyone else possibly know what it’s like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders?
I’m not a member of the clergy, but I am a woman of faith so I understand the importance and power of spirituality. I incorporate that into my therapy practice where appropriate and would be glad to bring God into our sessions together if you’d like.
In short, I’m here to help the helpers and their families.
It matters to me that you, as a clergy member, get the mental and emotional support you need in order to continue functioning in your leadership position.
It also matters to me that clergy family members get the mental and emotional support they need because you, as the people behind the scenes but also highly visible, could also use support.
Everyone needs a hand sometimes.
Let me be that hand for you.