Show Notes

Episode 21. Do I Need Therapy? with Vonda Tiede, LMFT

Episode 21. Do I Need Therapy? with Vonda Tiede, LMFT

"His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence."
~ 2 Peter 1:3

With a greater understanding of mental health in recent years, many have become aware of the benefits of therapy in general. But how does someone know if therapy is right for them - individually or for their marriage? Especially for a person who believes that Jesus Christ is their hope and their source, how should they view and approach therapy?

We welcome Vonda Tiede, LMFT into an honest conversation to discover the purpose of therapy as a resource for greater life and wholeness. You'll get a unique glimpse into the mind of a therapist, not to mention some on-the-spot, unrehearsed thoughts from Pat (the only non-therapist in the conversation) about the challenging yet fruitful realities of going to therapy.

Vonda Tiede is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who cares about mental health and ministry. Her office is in Maple Grove, MN where she sees individuals, couples and families. Her professional education includes degrees from Crown College, the University of Minnesota and St. Mary's University. Her favorite days include her family, life group and friends, holding space for clients, cooking, garage sale hunting, singing and playing piano, spreadsheets, designing spaces, bonfires, and board games.

Show Notes

  • “The greatest pain in our lives comes through relationship; and so does the greatest healing.”

  • “Emotional health and spiritual maturity are inseparable. It is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. When we deny our pain, losses, and feelings year after year, we become less and less human.”

    • Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Unleash a Revolution in Your Life In Christ, Peter Scazzero (see below)

  • By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.

    • Mark 6:35-44

      • Jesus charges his disciples to care for the physical needs of the crowd themselves; the disciples offer their own limited resources, and Jesus is the one who accomplishes the miracle.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero, referenced & recommended by Vonda

Check out John Crist, Pat & Kenna’s out-of-state belated date/Christmas present!

Check him out on Instagram @johnbcrist

Challenge By Choice

If you HAD to go to therapy, what would you talk about?

  • Consider this question in prayer; what would you stand to gain from talking through these things in an empathetic, professional setting?

  • Are there areas of my life that could benefit from therapy? (In addition to the help that comes from prayer, the sacraments, my relationships, etc.)

  • If you’re currently in therapy, are there things you haven’t talked about yet that might lead to greater healing for you?