Ann-Marie Bowen,LPC-S
No matter the source of our pain or how it manifests in our lives, I believe firmly that deep and lasting healing and freedom is real...and possible. There is hope. I believe that we were each created by God and hold His image inside of us. I believe He loves us immensely and wants wholeness for each of us. Over and over again in my professional and personal life, I have been witness to the miracle of life change. In John 10:10, Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." This promise does not have to be an elusive goal: it can be reality. I am committed to helping my clients find this abundant life that is available to us all.
For those who are interested, therapy that integrates Christian spirituality with sound psychology is available and will only be incorporated in ways that are comfortable to you. I have a deep appreciation and respect for the uniqueness of where each of us is in our spiritual journey, including a deep respect for those who may not desire spirituality to be a part of their therapeutic experience. Whether you are a committed Christian, of a different faith, unsure about God, angry at God, close to God, or somewhere in between, I will work with you in ways that respect and honor your needs as you seek growth and healing.
Life is difficult. Each of us lives in an imperfect world and, as a result, each of us lives a life that involves pain and suffering. Knowing what to do with that pain is not simple, as it can impact us in large and small ways despite our efforts to manage or ignore it.
Sometimes we face pain that is inflicted on us: others hurt us, the demands on us seem too great, society and culture have a negative influence on us, or we face a personal tragedy or trauma. Sadly, even faith communities can be sources of pain and trauma. Other times the pain we face is self-inflicted: we make decisions we regret, we hurt others in our lives, or we do not live to a standard we desire in some area of our lives.
Pain is often carried inside us as a burden, existing as painful beliefs, unwanted emotions and behavioral patterns, and is even carried in our physical bodies. Despite the passage of time, pain and suffering can linger, often in ways that feel disconnected from the original source of the pain, leading to confusion and hopelessness.