Associates in Christian Counseling

	Rx for Mental Health
	Mental Health Medications: An Interview with Dr. Verga
	Speakers Bureau
	Apology Language Profile
	Book Reviews

Dear Friends,

We at Associates believe that faith and science are allies in the field of mental health. They each bring an important perspective to our understanding of life, health and treatment. This complimentary relationship can be seen in our work when medication and therapy are used together in the recovery process. Read on to learn more about this. Your understanding may encourage others to seek help when needed. Together we can further overcome the stigmas associated with mental and emotional issues.

Grace and peace,
Dr. Joe Verga
Executive Director

Rx for Mental Health

When we are sick, we see a doctor. Often our hope is to come away with a prescription and simple solution so we can feel better quickly. Some mental health issues may also respond better with a prescription. While some would prefer to see medication as a complete solution, others may see it as a stigma and something to be avoided altogether. What are mental health medications and what role may they play in treatment?

Mental Health Medications:
An Interview with Dr. Verga

Dr. Verga has been a practicing psychologist in NC since 1981 and Associates’ Director since 1991. He shares his thoughts from his clinical experience on the use of mental health medications.

Speakers Bureau

Thinking about a fall event for your women’s, men’s or parenting group, church function, or civic organization? Consider our Speakers Bureau. Our staff members are available to speak on a variety of topic areas including:

Marriage
Parenting
Women’s issues
Men’s issues
Self-care
Common problems such as anxiety, depression, stress and grief

For more information on a specific topic or to schedule a speaker for your group, please contact heather@christiancounseling.org

Apology Language Profile

Associates’ therapist, Dr. Jennifer Thomas, co-authored The Five Languages of Apology with Dr. Gary Chapman in 2006. Moody Press has recently made the 20-item profile available free online.

Visit http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/personal-profiles/apology/to determine what apology language speaks to you!

Book Reviews

Counseling for the Soul in Distress
Richard Roukema MD
The Hayworth Press, 2nd edition, 2003

Provides information on how pastors may help congregants work cooperatively with mental health professionals. Reader-friendly overview of the full-range of adult psychiatric disorders including information on new medications and stress.

The Five Languages of Apology
Gary Chapman, PhD, and Jennifer Thomas, PhD
Northfield Press, 2006

Just as we all have different love languages, individuals also hear and express the words and gestures of apology in different languages. To explore this ground-breaking research, New York Times best-selling author Gary Chapman teamed up with psychologist Jennifer Thomas on this revolutionary study of the way we apologize, discovering that it's not just a matter of will–it's a matter of how. By helping people identify the languages of apology, this book clears the way toward healing and sustaining vital relationships.

A Thought

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.