Personal Development

Many people associate counseling as a way to work through serious problems – while that is often the scenario, it is not always the case. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we love to come alongside people to coach them toward their full potential. Maybe you can’t even pinpoint a particular issue that is weighing you down, but you want to understand yourself better and how you can move forward and become all that God has created you to be. Maybe you’re struggling to identify your strengths, calling, or purpose in life. Whatever your situation, we’re here to work with you toward positive personal development and growth.

Reasons to Try Counseling for Personal Development

You might not feel as if you have any significant barriers or roadblocks in your life right now, but maybe you just need a little boost to regain momentum in life and a gentle nudge to keep moving forward. Perhaps there is a specific area you’d like to explore about yourself, such as learning your personality type, spiritual gifting, or a more suitable career path.

Here are some reasons why people pursue personal development counseling:

• Life coaching
• Discovering your personality type and unique gifting
• Self-esteem building
• Engaging more fully with others
• Spiritual growth

We love to see people shine, and to live each day with a sense of purpose, belonging, and peace. Don’t put your own needs on the back burner – give Christian counseling for personal development a try.

The Importance of Setting Goals

One way to keep life interesting and meaningful is to set goals. Goal setting keeps you focused, motivated, and encourages you when you see progress being made. That being said, it is important to set goals the right way. This can be challenging for many, but together we will define what areas of your life could use improvement, and write a list of attainable goals. From there we can explore options for success. Goal setting is a fundamental part of Christian personal development counseling – one that can be fun and exciting!

We all have points in our lives when we need help sorting through emotions and goals or someone to nudge us along when we feel stuck. Everyone has basic needs that if unmet, can leave them feeling as if there isn’t enough balance or satisfaction in their lives. This is so important that we even have a way of categorizing these needs. It is called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

The parallels between modern psychology and the teaching of the Bible are truly amazing. What’s even more incredible is the comfort given us through Christ Jesus. He promises that all God’s children will be cared for. In seeking the kingdom of God and its righteousness (Matthew 6:33), all else will be given to us. As an example of how we are to pray, and what we are to seek after, Jesus gave is this simple prayer – not to be used in a vain, repetitious manner, but to show us that God knows of our needs, and He will provide them.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For the Kingdom, the power and the glory
Are yours now and forever.
Amen.
— Matthew 6:9-13

Now let’s consider how Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs corresponds to the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Daily Bread – Physiological needs

Give us our daily bread. It doesnot get much more basic or more important than that. Maslow’s first level of needs is physiological or physical necessities. Shelter, food, water – these are the basics we each need to survive. Obviously, if you aren’t eating well, sleeping well, or if your living conditions aren’t healthy, this will have an impact on your ability to thrive.

Deliverance from Evil –Safety needs

The tie here between deliverance from evil and safety might seem like a stretch, but when you think about it, the connection is pretty solid. Though Maslow referred to things like shelter and security, what comes to mind when you ask yourself, “What is evil?” If you’re living in abuse, fear, or are bound by a life of sin, then you’re not going to feel very secure physically, spiritually, emotionally, or in any way. You might even know cognitively that you are safe, but you often feel unsafe. This might be a symptom of neglect or trauma from your past. Locating your sense of peace is one of the primary goals of Christian counseling.

Forgiveness – Love and Belongingness

Nothing makes a person feel loved like the power of forgiveness. Jesus is the ultimate example of that pureness of love. If you’re struggling to forgive, long to be forgiven, or have strain in your relationships with yourself, loved ones, or with Jesus, we can help you put the pieces together. Forgiving is a difficult process but one that is at the core of personal freedom and satisfaction.

Glory to God – Esteem needs

Learning to love and appreciate yourself can be hard. We are flawed creatures and sometimes we put up walls to protect ourselves from pain. When we put up walls against receiving God’s love for us, we might need someone to help us see our value and to remind us that we are children of the almighty God. We matter and everything we do has a purpose, even if we can’t see it. In giving glory to God, we find humility, peace, and a love for His creation. There is nothing more solid than to surrender to our Heavenly Father and affirm his love, acceptance, and care for us.

God’s Kingdom – Self-actualization

What is self-actualization? From a psychological perspective, it’s the personal need for growth and reaching our fullest potential. As Christians, God’s Word sheds light on this area in marvelous ways. We all strive to reach higher levels of peace, satisfaction, service, and righteousness as promised by Jesus as we long for the Kingdom of God. By diving into God’s Word and His promises, we will see personal growth beyond what we ever thought possible.

That being said, there are times in our lives when we get bogged down by trying to meet other needs. During these seasons, it’s common forself-actualization to be pushed out of the picture. When this happens, it can be hard to get back on track on your own. We’d love to help you reorganize your priorities in a way that will breathe life into your busy schedule and routine.

If your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs require some balance or fulfillment, then you’ve come to the right place. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we can help you discover areas of your life that need a boost while offering you practical solutions to make your personal development goals a reality.

The wonderful counselors at Seattle Christian Counseling are passionate about helping others build healthy, God-honoring lives. What makes us unique is our faith-based approach for healing the spirit as well as the mind and body. If you’re looking for a group of skilled, compassionate counselors who will uphold and encourage your faith, then Seattle Christian Counseling is the place for you. We have helped people of all ages and backgrounds overcome a vast variety of struggles. Whatever you’re going through, we have a Christian counselor for you.

What kind of Christian counselor do I need?

At Seattle Christian Counseling, we have many wonderful counselors who specialize in a variety of focus areas, including personal development. To find the right counselor for you, we welcome you to browse our online counselor directory. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

How long does Christian personal development counseling last?

That depends. We don’t put timelines on Christian personal development counseling, but rather work with you to develop a plan of action and goal setting that suits your unique needs. For some, it’s a fairly simple and short process, while others need more time.

What is the difference in individual counseling and personal development counseling?

Christian counseling focused on personal development is designed to help you reach your full potential and to find happiness and balance in your life. There are times when this process might uncover some hidden issues and if that is the case, we can walk with you toward resolution. Traditional individual counseling focuses on many of the same things but tends to focus first on things that most would consider more severe problems like depression, anxiety, relationship issues, addictions, and other mental health concerns. Once those are out of the way, the personal development side can come into play.

Begin your journey of personal growth today!

If you’re ready for an emotional or spiritual boost,the Christian personal development counselors are here to help. To schedule your risk-free initial session*, simply give us a call at 206-388-3929 or contact us online.