Mental Health & Faith: A Closer Look

Cognitive Distortions – Part 2 Inspired by a poster at a psychiatric treatment ce2nter, the two episodes on “detour thinking” will explore the cognitive distortions and relevant scriptures. A cognitive distortion can be defined as a distorted thought or cognitive distortion is an exaggerated pattern of thought that’s not based on facts. It consequently leads you to view things more negatively than...

Cognitive Distortions Inspired by a poster at a psychiatric treatment center, the two episodes on “detour thinking” will explore the cognitive distortions and relevant scriptures. A cognitive distortion can be defined as a distorted thought or cognitive distortion is an exaggerated pattern of thought that’s not based on facts. It consequently leads you to view things more negatively than they real...

Part 2 – Brian’s Story Continues In part two of this two part series, Brian Mathrusse shares how our creator God gave him assurance that there is hope and recovery is possible. This required turning away from the unhealthy habits Brian had lived with for many years, and making the decision to work through his addiction and mental health issues. Brian’s story reminds us that substance abuse and men...

Part 1 – Brian’s Story Begins In part one of a two part series, Brian Mathrusse begins his story of substance use and mental health challenges that, in part, were influenced by situations that occurred in his growing up years. Brian’s story reminds us that substance abuse and mental illness do not discriminate. Even individuals who come from well-respected families and enjoy educational success ca...

Empower the Warrior Within This episode features an interview with the authors of  Empower the Warrior Within: Using God’s Word to Win the War. Debra Schwietert and Annie Bifulco had a providential meeting through their mutual therapist’s anxiety group. The original author, Rex Briggs, MSW, developed the secular anxiety program many years ago. The principles in his program are also found in the Bi...

Based on personal experience and with information provided at the Disability and the Church Conference, hosted by Key Ministry, Caroline S. Cooper encourages churches to explore establishing disability and mental health ministries. PLEASE POST OR SEND ME COMMENTS! We are in this together, and Caroline would love to receive your comments on how the church is doing to provide for the needs of the di...

Painful Pancreatitis On March 12, 2026, I had a sudden onset of pancreatitis. This condition produced excruciating pain, greater than any other pain I’ve experienced. While I at first felt abandoned by the Lord, I knew his promise to never leave me nor forsake me. About halfway through my 6-day hospital stay, I began to experience the comfort of God as he presented four important lessons I could l...

Our Relational Reset, Episode 73, begins with love. In this final episode in the 4-part series to reset our lives in 2026, Caroline reads and discusses two sections in Scripture that can help you renew your relationships with others in a God-honoring way. 1 Peter 2:13-3:12 reveals how we should approach others – with respect and love 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 expands on what it means to love others. If...

Welcome to 2026! The first four episodes in January will focusing on a 2026 Reset – resetting our spiritual, mental & emotional, and physical beings as well as resetting relationships. Here’s the schedule. Please share your comments! And don’t forget to subscribe. 1/8/26 Reset: Spiritual Health 1/14/26 Reset: Mental & Emotional Health 1/21/26 Reset: Physical Health 1/29/26 Reset: Relationa...

Welcome to 2026! The first four episodes in January will focusing on a 2026 Reset – resetting our spiritual, mental & emotional, and physical beings as well as resetting relationships. Here’s the schedule. Please share your comments! And don’t forget to subscribe. 1/8/26 Reset: Spiritual Health 1/14/26 Reset: Mental & Emotional Health 1/22/26 Reset: Physical Health 1/29/26 Reset: Relationa...

Welcome to 2026! The first four episodes in January will focusing on a 2026 Reset – resetting our spiritual, mental & emotional, and physical beings as well as resetting relationships. Here’s the schedule. Please share your comments! And don’t forget to subscribe. 1/8/26 Reset: Spiritual Health 1/15/26 Reset: Mental & Emotional Health 1/22/26 Reset: Physical Health 1/29/26 Reset: Relationa...

Linda McDougal, LPC Linda is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with children from 3-19 for more than 10 years. Her varied experience includes songwriting, creating a local Christian newspaper, and working as a substitute teacher. Child-Teen Therapy for 8-19 year olds In Part 2 of a 2-part series, Linda shares important therapies she uses with 8-19 year old youth, listed below. For g...

Linda McDougal, LPC Linda is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with children from 3-19 for more than 10 years. Her varied experience includes songwriting, creating a local Christian newspaper, and working as a substitute teacher. Child Therapy for 3-8 year olds In Part 1 of a 2-part series, Linda shares how she works with children from ages 3 to 8. She describes four different modal...

Charlene Giles Charlene Giles is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a passion to minister to people who are ready to grow in their relationship with God and others. According to her website, she is recently retired from her leadership position at Asbury Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For over 28 years she was  responsible for the care and marriage ministries of one of the largest Methodist...

Meet Lea! Lea Turner is a registered nurse, pilates instructor, and certified grief coach. She has also walked the long road of grief and wants to share what she has learned with others through her writing, speaking, and consulting work. As a result of her journey to publish her first book, Lea and her partner, Kim Mosiman, formed Writer to Writer to help other writers thrive in the publishing wor...

Caroline and her guest, Angela Wesson, have a candid, informative, and passionate discussion about Angel’s COPS KC nonprofit and how the body of Christ is called to serve others. COPS is the acronym for Counselors Obediently Preventing Substance Abuse. (See below for links to information about addiction and recovery.) SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: COPS KC is holding an event to celebrate Recovery Month. I...

Many years ago, when I begin considering serving the Lord as a Christian writer and speaker, he gave me a mission to focus my efforts. My full mission statement reads as follows: I will offer encouragement for life in a complicated world by inspiring people to choose hope, experience transformation, and recognize victory in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today’s episode is in preparation for a new weekly...

This episode is a presentation that was given at a virtual workshop for the Faith+Mental Health conference in May 2025. Caroline has nearly 20 years of experience as a leader for a Christ-centered mental health support group where she emphasizes hope, transformation, and victory. This approach is based on the Spirit-led process God revealed to Caroline in reflecting on her own recovery journey. Th...

What does the church think about mental health? In this first episode of 2023, Caroline has a discussion with a long-time friend that addresses one of the main purposes of the Mental Health and Faith podcast — taking a closer look at mental health and the church. Their conversation includes the following topics: How does the church address mental health? Or does it? What is the difference between...

Caroline’s guest this week is Patricia Plumb, an educator, counselor, leadership consultant, and author. She has worn many hats but her focus these days is with The Shepherd’s Touch Ministry, a ministry she founded in 2018. On today’s episode, Patricia shares a couple of stories that reveal keys to effective and caring communication. She also shares about her new book, “God’s Handwriting: A Journe...

This episode is a replay of Episode 18 – The Cycle of Recovery (Part 1) – Hope, originally published in April 2023. Find Hope In this first episode of a three-part series, Caroline introduces the Cycle of Recovery. In reflecting on her recovery journey, Caroline recognized the need to find hope, experience transformation, and recognize victory. Today, she shares her insights on recovery and hope....

This episode is a replay of Episode 18 – The Cycle of Recovery (Part 2) – Transformation, originally published in April 2023. Experience Transformation In this second episode of a three-part series, Caroline continues sharing the Cycle of Recovery. In reflecting on her recovery journey, Caroline recognized the need to find hope, experience transformation, and recognize victory. Today, she shares h...

Recognizing Victory In this final episode of a three-part series, Caroline concludes sharing the Cycle of Recovery. In reflecting on her recovery journey, Caroline recognized the need to find hope, experience transformation, and recognize victory. Listen as she recaps the entire cycle with an emphasis on victory. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord. (Prover...

Body, mind, and soul Kristin says, “I started my practice to help other women who were fed up with chronic dieting, and ready to focus on improving their health. Better health has the happy side effect of weight loss.” Better health also has the side-effect of better mental health. In this episode, Kristin shares some of her thoughts about being intentional with your thoughts and feelings as a way...

All Things New A New Life What does having new life have to due with mental health? Our spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental health are all connected. It is my hope that as we explore the idea of having new life that we will experience hope, joy, and peace. When we experience these positive outlooks and feelings, our mental health improves. We’re able to cope with and respond to mental healt...