North Korean Holocaust - Please learn more about horrible torture of Christians!

Heartfelt Counseling Ministries Presents

Today in North Korea, an estimated 30,000 for our brothers and sisters are suffering in an unspeakable manner in four concentration camps.  North Korea has  been described  as the world's worse place for a Christian. But in spite of these the risks, the church continues to grow. 

You don't have to be a Christian in North Korea to go to prison or a concentration camp, or even to be executed. You just have to behave in a manner that the government views as a threat.

Even a loyal communist can be imprisoned if he or she is an unfortunate family member of a person labeled as a traitor.  North Korea punishes three generations of an offender's family.

The situation in North North Korea today is truly a modern-day Holocaust.  At the Voice of Martyrs, we are not called to political protest, human rights activism or event the defense of religious freedom. We are called to stand with our Lord Jesus Christ....

This month, the Voice of the Martyrs is taking a new public stand for our persecuted family in North Korea. We are issuing a confession of our own, stating our commitment to our North Korean brothers and sisters and our commitment to further the gospel in this dark nation.

Our brothers and sisters in North Korea face imprisonment, torture and even public execution if they are discovered to be Christians.  Listening to a Christian radio broadcast or being caught with a Bible can lead to a 25-year sentence in a concentration camp, and Christians are often beaten until they confess their crimes.

This month, the Voice of Martyrs is taking a new, public stand for our persecuted family in North Korea.  We are issuing a confession of our own, stating our commitment to our North Korean brothers and sisters and our commitment to further the gospel in this dark nation.

We prayerfully ask you to join us in signing this letter of confession and to share it with every believer you know that is willing to take this stand. All of these letters will be given to North Korean's President when he is at the United Nations. VOM

The link below will give you and online newsletter from the Voice of Martyrs about the atrocities in North Korean's labor camps.  I strongly encourage you to read the news letter at the link below.  You can also sign the letter of confession. I have already done so, If they asked how did you find out about their website/newsletter, please tell them; it was Heartfelt Counseling Ministries.  Thanks, SB

http://www.persecution.com/June2014

http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

My depression story 1997

Depression is not a subject which is usually talked about by evangelical Christians.  But if you counsel those who are born again who have a mental illness, they will tell you what their symptoms are and how they affect their mood, thinking, and behavior. Now I have read some great descriptions of depression and the best ones come from those who have experienced mental illness.

I bought a book once by Kathy Conkrite, the daughter of the legendary newscaster, Walter Cronkite. It included descriptions of her depression and of many famous people who suffered from it. I could only read so much of it because I would start having Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms, which are a result of the trauma that I have because of my own horrible, episodic depression. People have asked me many times (including psychiatrists); How does it feel when you are depressed?

It (depression) is hard to describe after you are feeling better. The problem is that when you are in the clutches of a depressive episode, you are too depressed to take the time to write about it. The best descriptions that I can come up with are, "it is unbearable anguish, unrelenting sorrow, it is a living Hell."  I hope you don't think I am being profane. I use to joke about Hell when someone would tell me that I should go there. My answer was, "I got kicked out for selling ice cream cones." This is not original to me but I was not converted and I knew very little on the subject. I no longer joke about Hell. When I say that depression is a living Hell; I am not talking about eternal Hell but I am saying that as 
far as I know it is the worse you can emote on this planet earth.

If you don't know Christ as your personal Savior, you will go to Hell and have the most awful depression. 

But if you believe in Jesus Christ, you will by faith believe the  infinite God/man, hung on the cros  and became sin for us Read what the prophet Isaiah said about him in Is 52;14, 15

Just as there were many who were appalled at him — his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness so he will sprinkle many nations,and kings will shut their mouths because of him

Every time I have a severe depressive episode, I think; "when I get out of this; I am going to warn people about Hell."  Of course Hell is not  a politically correct subject these days.  Someday all those who in are Hell will be cast into the lake of fire.Whether you are depressed  or not, today; Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!  Receive Him as your Savior and Lord! He gave Himself for you to redeem you from your sins. 

Below is a brief diary of my decomposition into the dark dungeons of depression. I had recently been diagnosed by my psychiatrist as having, bipolar 2 disorder because my depression  episodes come on quite suddenly and they are  very severe in nature. Here is a brief excerpt from my diary.

May 11, 1997,

 I spoke in a little country church today. I wondered, do I have post-traumatic stress disorder because of what I had gone through having a pastorate in Kansas?

Also, I am having, everything is temporary obsessions and doing routine things seem so hard today, I am feeling emotionally drained; I did not know that this was the beginning of a new severe depressive episode.

May 12, 1997 - I called the doctor and asked him to put me on Buspar to augment my Zoloft.  This was hard for me to request because I become passive while in a depressive episode. He said he would call it in. I I hope this augmentation will work quickly.

May 13, 1997- I am quite depressed today, it is very difficult to concentrate; I have moment by moment sorrow. My mind feels dead, but I was able to get my work done and even teach a Dialectical Behavior Therapy group this afternoon. I was able to relate to many of the woman who have Borderline Personality Disorder and many of them also are depressed.

May 14, 1997 - I started work at about 8:00 am today. It seems that none of my fellow case managers have noticed that I am in a depressive episode. Maybe they do but don't know how to approach me. 
From about 10-12:00 noon, I was in agony and intense sadness. There was panic and my stomach hurt, my appetite was gone. I finally told the staff psychiatrist that I could no longer work and had to go home.

Immediately separation anxiety overwhelmed me and I want to be with my wife. I called her and she asked me, "Is it alright for me to go to a bible study with the ladies this afternoon or do you want me to stay here with you?  I try to be brave but after I hang up, I think, "I have to go home." I sob uncontrollably as I drive home, wiping away tears to be able to see. My youngest son greets me at the door and as soon as I see him, I burst into tears.  He is stunned after seeing me sob and calls for Robyn. I pray to God, "Father please don't let me commit suicide."  Deeper and Deeper I descend into a Hell on earth. My thought in the middle of the most intense suffering, "How will people be able to stand Hell--- the real Hell?"

Sometime later I asked my psychiatrist if I can have E.C.T. (Electro-Convulsive-Therapy). He agrees, but it still takes me about five days to get my first treatment. Eventually E.C.T. treated my depression and now that my symptoms have been mitigated, I am constantly reminded of the fact that so many will experience so much worse in Hell. They will live for an eternity separated from God, in an even worse form of torment than biological depression, because they refuse to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Panic disorder, Part 2

Treatments

Panic disorder is generally treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both.

Psychotherapy. A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavior therapy is especially useful for treating panic disorder. It teaches a person different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations that help him or her feel less anxious and fearful.
Medicationn. Doctors also may prescribe medication to help treat panic disorder. The most commonly prescribed medications for panic disorder are anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants. Anti-anxiety medications are powerful and there are different types. Many types begin working right away, but they generally should not be taken for long periods.

Antidepressants are used to treat depression, but they also are helpful for panic disorder. They may take several weeks to start working. Some of these medications may cause side effects such as headache, nausea, or difficulty sleeping. These side effects are usually not a problem for most people, especially if the dose starts off low and is increased slowly over time. Talk to your doctor about any side effects you may have.

Another type of medication called beta-blockers can help control some of the physical symptoms of panic disorder such as excessive sweating, a pounding heart, or dizziness. Although beta blockers are not commonly prescribed, they may be helpful in certain situations that bring on a panic attack.

Some people do better with cognitive behavior therapy, while others do better with medication. Still others do best with a combination of the two. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment for you.

Living With

"One day, without any warning or reason, I felt terrified. I was so afraid, I thought I was going to die. My heart was pounding and my head was spinning. I would get these feelings every couple of weeks. I thought I was losing my mind." "The more attacks I had, the more afraid I got. I was always living in fear. I didn't know when I might have another attack. I became so afraid that I didn't want to leave my house."
"My friend saw how afraid I was and told me to call my doctor for help. My doctor told me I was physically healthy but that I have panic disorder. My doctor gave me medicine that helps me feel less afraid. I've also been working with a counselor learning ways to cope with my fear. I had to work hard, but after a few months of medicine and therapy, I'm starting to feel like myself again."

Clinical Trials

• NIMH supports research studies on mental health and disorders. See also: A Participant's Guide to Mental Health Clinical Research.
• Participate, refer a patient or learn about results of studies in ClinicalTrials.gov , the NIH/National Library of Medicine's registry of federally and privately funded clinical trials for all disease.
• Find NIH-funded studies currently recruiting participants with panic disorder .

Steve Bloem was trained in behavior therapy at the University of Washington by Dr. Marsha Linehan.  He is a certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist.

If you would like to read about Steve and Robyn Bloem story of his depression, please go to the link http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing-ebook/dp/B004EPYNLE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Are you aware of the beheading of Lady Jane Gray? The Persecuted Church.

Helping the Persecuted Church

Pray for India

Please see the link below

The Words and Behavior of the Lady Jane upon the Scaffold

The next victim was the amiable Lady Jane Gray, who, by her acceptance of the crown at the earnest solicitations of her friends, incurred the implacable resentment of the bloody Mary. When she first mounted the scaffold, she spoke to the spectators in this manner: "Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same. The fact against the queen's highness was unlawful, and the consenting thereunto by me: but, touching the procurement and desire thereof by me, or on my behalf, I do wash my hands thereof in innocence before God, and the face of you, good Christian people, this day:" and therewith she wrung her hands, wherein she had her book. 

Then said she, "I pray you all, good Christian people, to bear me witness, that I die a good Christian woman, and that I do look to be saved by no other mean, but only by the mercy of God in the blood of His only Son Jesus Christ: and I confess that when I did know the Word of God, I neglected the same, loved myself and the world, and therefore this plague and punishment is happily and worthily happened unto me for my sins; and yet I thank God, that of His goodness He hath thus given me a time and a respite to repent.

 And now, good people, while I am alive, I pray you assist me with your prayers." And then, kneeling down, she turned to Feckenham, saying, "Shall I say this Psalm?" and he said, "Yea." Then she said the Psalm of Miserere mei Deus, in English, in a most devout manner throughout to the end; and then she stood up, and gave her maid, Mrs. Ellen, her gloves and handkerchief, and her book to Mr. Bruges; and then she untied her gown, and the executioner pressed upon her to help her off with it: but she, desiring him to let her alone, turned towards her two gentlewomen, who helped her off therewith, and also with her frowes, paaft, and neckerchief, giving to her a fair handkerchief to put about her eyes.

Then the executioner kneeled down, and asked her forgiveness, whom she forgave most willingly. Then he desired her to stand upon the straw, which doing, she saw the block. Then she said, "I pray you, despatch me quickly." Then she kneeled down, saying, "Will you take it off before I lay me down?" And the executioner said, "No, madam." Then she tied a handkerchief about her eyes, and feeling for the block, she said, "What shall I do? Where is it? Where is it?" One of the standers-by guiding her therunto, she laid her head upon the block, and then stretched forth her body, and said, "Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit;" and so finished her life, in the year of our Lord 1554, the twelfth day of February, about the seventeenth year of her age.

Thus died Lady Jane; and on the same day Lord Guilford, her husband, one of the duke of Northumberland's sons, was likewise beheaded, two innocents in comparison with them that sat upon them. For they were both very young, and ignorantly accepted that which others had contrived, and by open proclamation consented to take from others, and give to them.

Touching the condemnation of this pious lady, it is to be noted that Judge Morgan, who gave sentence against her, soon after he had condemned her, fell mad, and in his raving cried out continually to have the Lady Jane taken away from him, and so he ended his life.
On the twenty-first day of the same month, Henry, duke of Suffolk, was beheaded on Tower-hill, the fourth day after his condemnation: about which time many gentlemen and yeomen were condemned, whereof some were executed at London, and some in the country. In the number of whom was Lord Thomas Gray, brother to the said duke, being apprehended not long after in North Wales, and executed for the same. Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, also, very narrowly escaped.


http://www.persecution.org/2014/05/15/christian-leaders-express-outrage-over-modis-ignorance-of-attacks-on-christians-in-india/http://www.persecution.org/2014/05/15/christian-leaders-express-outrage-over-modis-ignorance-of-attacks-on-christians-in-india/



Have you heard of our book? It is entitled, Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It.  It depicts my personal torment of depression and how God helped my wife Robyn and me see His great design for us and the church in allowing the sickness of bipolar 2 disorder. 
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

Answers to five important questions about being in denial that you have a mental illness

This blog is a repost from 20012.  My reason for posting is because of the blanket of stigma that still exists in the evangelical churches.  You cannot get away with denying a disease that really exists.
This repost makes you aware of this danger.

Copyright, All rights reserved, 2012, Steve Bloem

1.  Why will some persons not refer others to a psychiatrist nor go to one themselves? 

Answer -The term “psychiatrist” still has a stigma attached to it. One of the worst things to happen for many people is for them to walk into a psychiatric office. Often there is a quick side-glance and the blushing patient takes her seat.
The media has often portrayed a psychiatrist as an eccentric man or woman, who is a bit “wacko” himself.  It suggests that the person who goes to him/her is “weird” and has “emotional problems.”  The term “psycho-pharmacologist” is much more acceptable as a descriptive name of those who treat mental illness. A psychiatrist rarely does therapy today. He is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases of the mind and choosing the right medications to arrest the symptoms.

2.  If mentally ill people deny that they have a disease, some problems may come to the surface. 
    What are some of these?

Answer - If people are in denial about having mental illness, they will almost never go and get the treatment needed to relieve their misery.  They will try to "go it alone."  In a time of severe psychic pain with the ‘right’ circumstances, they will kill themselves in order to move away from the pain. Another problem of denial is that mental illness untreated  exasperates  family and they speak harshly with them for not seeking and finding the help that is so abundantly available. They either kick the person out of their home or detach themselves from the sufferer and his many problems.

3.  How important is it to have a general knowledge of the symptoms of mental illness?  What kind of training in the church would help?

Answer - A church in denial, especially one that is willfully ignorant can crush the mentally ill. There are two main reasons why it is important to know the symptoms of mental illness: The first is that mental illness is a neuro-degenerative disease.  It does more damage to your brain if you just let it run its course.  The second reason is that knowledge of symptoms leads to correct diagnosis of the illness.  Pastors and lay leaders need to know these symptoms and know how and where to refer those who have them.   Every Seminary Bible College should have a class on the pastoral theology of mental illness, about symptom detection and other practical ways to help those who are mentally ill.

4. Do you know what the term “smiling depression” means?  Explain.

Answer - The term means that those persons who are depressed and cannot rid themselves of their symptoms, begin to cover their depression by not acting sad or admitting to others the severity of their pain.  It may seem helpful but it is not.  You cannot hide mental illness.

 5.  Do you think that mental illness is a character flaw?  Has anyone accused you of this?

Answer -  No, it is not a character flaw. If you say that it is, you are insulting the mentally ill in two ways: first, you deny how hard they are battling the illness and secondly, you are “blaming the victim.”  Personally, I have been told over and over again that my mental illness is not acceptable to God or His church. This has been a cause of grief for me especially early in my treatment.


Heartfelt Ministries can help you start a biblical support group.  The material has already been tested and it works.  Robyn and Steve have also written a book that many have said is one of the best books they have ever read on the subject.

If you would like to know more about their book Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It, go to: http://books.google.com/books/about/Broken_Minds.htmlid=HQAzGHfmdJUC

 We sell CAMI -Starter/Leader/ Student Guides and Broken Minds.If you wish to  contact me my email is camimovement@yahoo.com

        

                               Thanks, Rev. Steve Bloem

                               Director of Heartfelt Ministries

                                Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Inspiration linked to bipolar disorder risk

  

Copy right, all rights reserved 2014 -  Lancaster, England, please see below for link.
Inspiration has been linked with people at risk of developing bipolar disorder for the first time in a study led by Lancaster University.

For generations,artists, musicians, poets, and writers have had experiences of mania and depression, highlighting the unique association between creativity and bipolar disorder -- experiences which are backed
up by recent research. But, until now, the
specific links between inspiration -- 
the generation of ideas that form the basis
of creative work -- and bipolar disorder has received little attention.

New research by Professor by Steven Jones and Dr Alyson Dodd, of Lancaster University, and Dr June Gruber at Yale University, has shown people at higher risk for developing bipolar disorder consistently report stronger experiences of inspiration than those at lower risk.

The paper 'Development and Validation of a New Multidimensional Measure of Inspiration:  Associations with Risk for Bipolar Disorder', published in PLOS One this week, found a specific link between those people who found their source of inspiration within themselves and risk for bipolar disorder. Professor Jones, co-director of Lancaster University's Spectrum Centre, said: "It appears that the types of inspiration most related to bipolar vulnerability are those which are self-generated and linked with strong drive for success. "Understanding more about inspiration is important because it is a key aspect of creativity which is highly associated with mental health problems, in particular bipolar disorder. 

People with bipolar disorder highly value creativity as a positive aspect of their condition. This is relevant to clinicians, as people with bipolar disorder may be unwilling to engage with treatments and therapies which compromise their creativity."
As part of the study, 835 undergraduate students were recruited to complete online questionnaires from both Yale University in the U.S. and Lancaster University in the U.K.
They were asked to complete a questionnaire which measured their bipolar risk using a widely-used and well-validated 48-item measure which captures episodic shifts in emotion, behaviour, and energy called The Hypo-manic Personality Scale (HPS).
They also completed a new questionnaire developed by the team which was designed to explore beliefs about inspiration, in particular the sources of inspiration -- whether individuals thought it came from within themselves, from others or the wider environment. 

This measure was called the the EISI (External and Internal Sources of Inspiration) measure.
The students who scored highly for a risk of bipolar also consistently scored more highly than the others for levels of inspiration and for inspiration which they judged to have come from themselves.
Researchers say, although this pattern was consistent, the effect sizes were relatively modest so, although inspiration and bipolar risk are linked, it is important to explore other variables to get a fuller picture and to conduct further research with individuals with a clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
The research team is currently inviting UK-based individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder to take part in an online survey exploring associations between inspiration, mood and recovery. Go to: www.thinkingstyle.spectrumdevelopment.org.uk.

---

Lancaster University. "Inspiration linked to bipolar disorder; ScienceDaily, 27 March 2014. .

Journal Reference:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140327123339.htmSteven Jones, Alyson Dodd, June Gruber. Development and Validation of a New Multidimensional Measure of Inspiration: Associations with Risk for Bipolar Disorder. PLoS ONE, 2014; 9 (3): e91669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091669

Our web site heartfeltmin.org

CAMI Support Groups
Leaders: Steve and Robyn Bloem
A place of support for those who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression, panic, OCD, etc. or those who love someone who does!
WHEN?  We meet at 7pm - 8:15 p.m. every Thursday. Our first week is Thursday, April 17.20, Open enrollment Where? Boca Glades Baptist Church 10101 Judge Winikoff Rd. Boca Raton, FL  33428

CAMI (Christians Afflicted with Mental Illness) a ministry of Heartfelt Counseling. The groups are led by Steve and Robyn Bloem. They are the co-founders of Heartfelt Counseling Ministries and authors of Broken Minds. They also do public speaking. Please call 561.909.9109 or come to the meeting in the education building.

Have you heard about our book, Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It, Kregel Publications?



http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

What is Panic Disorder? Part 1

What is panic disorder? People with panic disorder have sudden and repeated attacks of fear that last for several minutes. Sometimes symptoms may last longer. These are called panic attacks. Panic attacks are characterized by a fear of disaster or of losing control even when there is no real danger. A person may also have a strong physical reaction during a panic attack. It may feel like having a heart attack. Panic attacks can occur at any time, and many people with panic disorder worry about and dread the possibility of having another attack.

A person with panic disorder may become discouraged and feel ashamed because he or she cannot carry out normal routines like going to the grocery store or driving. Having panic disorder can also interfere with school or work.

Causes

Panic disorder sometimes runs in families, but no one knows for sure why some people have it while others don't. Researchers have found that several parts of the brain are involved in fear and anxiety. By learning more about fear and anxiety in the brain, scientists may be able to create better treatments. Researchers are also looking for ways in which stress and environmental factors may play a role.

• Approximately 6 million American adults ages 18 and older, or about 2.7 percent of people in this age group in a given year, have panic disorder.1, 2
• Panic disorder typically develops in early adulthood (median age of onset is 24), but the age of onset extends throughout adulthood.5
• About one in three people with panic disorder develops agoraphobia, a condition in which the individual becomes afraid of being in any place or situation where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in the event of a panic attack.12

Signs & Symptoms

People with panic disorder may have:

• Sudden and repeated attacks of fear
• A feeling of being out of control during a panic attack
• An intense worry about when the next attack will happen
• A fear or avoidance of places where panic attacks have occurred in the past
• Physical symptoms during an attack, such as a pounding or racing heart, sweating, breathing problems, weakness or dizziness, feeling hot or  a cold chill, tingly or numb hands, chest pain, or stomach pain.
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  • Who Is At Risk?
  Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack usually peaks within 10 minutes, but some symptoms may last much longer.

  People who have full-blown, repeated panic attacks can become very disabled by their condition and should seek treatment before they start to avoid places or situations where panic attacks have occurred. For example, if a panic attack happened in an elevator, someone with panic disorder may develop a fear of elevators that could affect the choice of a job or an apartment, and restrict where that person can seek medical attention or enjoy entertainment.

  Some people’s lives become so restricted that they avoid normal activities, such as grocery shopping or driving. About one-third become housebound or are able to confront a feared situation only when accompanied by a spouse or other trusted person.  When the condition progresses this far, it is called agoraphobia, or fear of open spaces.

  Early treatment can often prevent agoraphobia, but people with panic disorder may sometimes go from doctor to doctor for years and visit the emergency room repeatedly before someone correctly diagnoses their condition. This is unfortunate, because panic disorder is one of the most treatable of all the anxiety disorders, responding in most cases to certain kinds of medication or certain kinds of cognitive psychotherapy, which help change thinking patterns that lead to fear and anxiety.

  Panic disorder is often accompanied by other serious problems, such as depression, drug abuse, or alcoholism.These conditions need to be treated separately. Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness or hopelessness, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, low energy, and difficulty concentrating. Most people with depression can be effectively treated with antidepressant medications, certain types of psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.

  First, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor should do an exam to make sure that another physical problem isn't causing the symptoms. The doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist.
• Our book retails for 15.00 + tax
• If you mention my blog on our website, contact us form, I will give it to you for $10 + 3.00 Shipping. Sorry U.S.A. only.

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Dialectical Behavior Therapy versus Biblical/clinical therapy.

People who have a personality disorder meet a certain number of criteria for each type. No one really knows why this is so but it seems to be universal.  There is still debate about what is and what is not a personality disorder.

Borderline Personality Disorder was so named because Freudian and Neo-Freudian clinicians did not know if volatile behaviors of patients were a result of neurosis, (a term of Freudian origin) or a psychosis which means they would lose touch with reality. Persons who fell between these disorders were classified as having Borderline Personality Disorder. 
For years I was part of an evaluation team for an agency that did case management for those with severe and persistent mental illness. As a clinician in the mid-nineties our agency was overwhelmed with clients who had the disorder.  We really did not know what to do with them.  This resulted in a team from Kent County, MI going to Seattle, Washington to learn how to implement Dialectical Behavior therapy or DBT in our practice. We first went to Seattle in the Fall of 1996 and again in the Spring of 97.  We had the privilege of being taught by Dr. Linehan herself.  After our first training we were the first (as far as I know) to implement DBT in a case management setting in the world. And the model worked very well for us.  After completing many homework assignments we returned to Seattle to complete our training.

My team members and I became certified DBT counselors.  One colleague and I did group therapy and individual therapy. It actually worked and continues to work with this population. We saw a drastic change in psychiatric hospitalizations of those who had borderline personality disorder.

Christians believe that God is of one essence and exists in three Persons and He is their source of truth; this differs with Linehan’s world and life view.  You may ask how and why does it differ. The major reason is that as Christians, we believe the 66 books that make up the bible were "God-breathed" (theos pnuestos). Our belief is that God breathed His Word through the writers so that what they wrote, was then and is now, inerrant and infallible. 

Now, Dr. Linehan and I did not agree on everything.  As an evangelical Christian, I believe in the above explained absolutes.   Linehan is a Buddhist and believes there are no absolutes and has no apology for it. In my public practice and dealing with many types of people with different  creeds I was able to teach all the skills that are part of DBT. In the private sector, I teach a modified DBT. 

If I am practicing in the faith based culture a modified  form of DBT, many of Linehan's skills are maxims.   For example, if you are lonely and feel like cutting, then you could be encouraged to read a Psalm which talks about “God being a refuge, a very present help in the time of trouble.” If your mind is racing (in a borderline way not bipolar), you might be encouraged to "cease striving and know that I am God.” You also would be taught to "pour out your heart to God and trust in Him at all times." The LORD God of the Bible is a real Person. 

We agree with Linehan about using Distress Tolerance Skills to cope with emotional pain and the Bible gives all kinds of incentives, commands and reasons for why we would see distress as something meaningful, as having to be endured. Romans 5 would be a great example on the assurances that come from being justified by faith. DBT talks about a skill she calls “wise mind.” This is to help the borderline slow down and think reasonably. Emotional Dysregulation is a core belief of Linehan in regards to what is wrong with those who have Borderline Personality Disorder; Mindfulness has Buddhist origins. It has met with considerable success in helping the borderline patient.  But one has to be careful of mindfulness. It employs the use of being non-judgmental and keeping your mind completely open to anything that will help you.
However Scripture encourages us to gird up the loins of our minds and fix them completely on the coming of Jesus Christ to earth. ! Peter 1:13,16

If you have a personality disorder, one of the results is that you cut on yourself to cope with psychic pain which, biblically speaking, would be a sin. Psychologically, there are reasons why a person would do so and certain actions must be taken by the therapist to not reinforce this para suicidal act. Linehan would call “cutting” a maladaptive coping mechanism, not a sin because she does not believe in sin against a Holy Triune God.

I will cover more of this important topic in a future blog. If you have any questions or would like individual therapy, the cost is a little higher than average because of the skill required and the time intensity involved but HCM will always work with individuals on a case-by-case basis. There is hope for you and your loved ones. May God bless you and yours. We want to help you in any way that we can.

Rev. Steve Bloem does individual therapy for those with borderline personality disorder.  If enough are interested there are possible group therapies.