"I Need Christ and the Couch" — Healing in Color Without Shame

Ever felt like your spirit needed a sermon while your mind cried out for a session? Same here. My new motto—"I Need Christ AND the Couch"—isn’t just a catchy phrase. It’s my truth. As both a social worker and a minister, I walk both sides of the track. One hand clutches the Word, the other reaches for the tools of therapy. I only wish I’d known sooner that both could coexist beautifully.

Growing Up Without the Couch

Think of your mind as a garden. It needs the sunlight of prayer and the pruning of therapy. But growing up, therapy wasn’t even in our family dictionary. Raised in an African American household, we didn’t "do" therapy. We had sayings like “That’s for me and the Lord to decide” or “What goes on in this house stays in this house.” And of course, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Now, don’t get me wrong—I love these phrases. They sowed seeds of faith that I still reap from. But what I didn’t learn early enough is that God doesn’t oppose healing through therapy. In fact, He made the brain and understands how deeply our thoughts affect our lives.

The Mind Is a Battlefield—Arm Yourself Well

Let’s get into it. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Your thoughts shape your reality. And here’s the thing: when those thoughts turn negative, the enemy uses them as ammo. You hear your own voice feeding you lies, and eventually, you start to believe them.

This is where Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) shines. A therapist trained in CBT helps identify and challenge those toxic thought patterns. As the seasoned saints would say—stay in the spirit, yes—but also renew your mind. Daily. Affirm yourself. Quote scripture. Fight back with truth.

Tip: Start your day by replacing one negative thought with a positive scripture. Luke 12:25-28 is one of my go-to reminders that worrying adds nothing to our lives—and God provides.

"You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind." - Joyce Meyer

No More Isolation: God Made Us for Community

Whew, let's shout it loud—NO MORE ISOLATION. God created us to thrive in community. Matthew 18:20 tells us that even two or three gathered in His name are enough to invoke His presence. So why do we suffer in silence?

Church, family, friends—lean into your circle. And if your circle isn’t equipped to support your mental health, expand it to include faith-filled professionals who are. God’s presence isn’t limited to a pew. He shows up in therapy offices too.

Tip: Find a good church or join a support group that integrates faith and mental wellness. They’re out there, and you deserve to be surrounded by people who get it.

Bridging the Gap: Faith and Mental Health Can Coexist

The stigma around mental health in communities of color is real—and it’s harmful. Historically, spirituality gave us strength and resilience against racial trauma. But silence isn’t resilience. We need to talk about our mental health out loud, in the open, and in the sanctuary if need be.

When we combine faith with therapy, we create a holistic approach that speaks to the whole person—body, mind, and soul. Therapists who honor your spiritual beliefs can help you heal in alignment with your faith.

Representation matters. According to the APA, nearly half of Asian Americans forgo mental health treatment due to language barriers—a challenge that also affects Black communities across the U.S. struggling with mental illness. Shockingly, only 2% of psychologists in America are Black, highlighting a critical gap in culturally competent care.

Tip: Look for a therapist of color who understands your cultural and spiritual background. Use directories like Therapy for Black Girls or clinicians listed on inclusive faith-based platforms.

"Psychological science must capture the full breadth of human experiences before it can hontestly say that it understands a particular psychological construct." - Dr. Robert M. Sellers, APA

Let’s Heal in Color and without Shame: Your Emotions Are Valid

Let’s cut to the chase: vulnerability is not weakness. God gave us emotions for a reason. He’s not asking us to "suck it up." He’s inviting us to bring it all to Him—our fears, our sadness, our trauma—and also to do the work.

So go ahead and pray. Then sit in silence. Meditate. Listen. He’s speaking.

Tip: Take five minutes after your prayer time to just sit in silence. Let the stillness bring you clarity and peace.

"The God I serve shall supply all my needs."

And yes, that includes mental clarity and emotional healing.

Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Sit on the Couch, Bible in Hand

You were never meant to walk this journey alone. We serve a God who understands our humanness and meets us where we are. By embracing both Christ and the couch, we honor the full spectrum of healing without shame.

Whether you're a church girl, a community leader, or simply someone tired of holding it all in—know this: you don’t have to choose between faith and therapy. You can have both. You deserve both.

Let’s heal in color. No shame. Just freedom.

Written by Kiara Lewis, MSW

Edited by Carlita L. Coley, LPC

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About the Author

Kiara is a Supervisee-in Social Work, a minister, and mental health advocate who blends faith with real-world tools to help others heal from the inside out. Once the “church girl” silently struggling with low self-esteem and unresolved trauma, she now empowers both youth and adults to confront their past, shift negative thought patterns, and grow into the best version of themselves. With compassion and authenticity, Kiara creates judgment-free spaces where true healing can begin.