Posted on April 12, 2022
Mental Health
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Join us in welcoming Jamie McWade to the Lutheran Family Service ministry team!
Jamie McWade, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), has joined the Lutheran Family Service Christian counseling team as a master’s-level prepared and experienced mental health and marriage counselor and a Board Certified Tele-Mental Health Counselor. She serves clients in person in and around the Quad City, Iowa area; including those that speak Spanish. Jamie can also serve clients located anywhere in the state of Iowa through telehealth/virtual counseling via smartphone, tablet or computer.
Jamie brings over 12 years of counseling experience to the team providing individual, couple, child, and family therapy. She specializes in helping people with anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss, relationship issues, codependency, major life transitions and changes, as well as couples experiencing marital issues. Jamie is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy including Trauma Focused (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Parent Child Interaction Training (PCIT) for children age 2 through 7 years, Motivational Interviewing, Counseling for children age 10 and over as well as supporting parents of younger children, and Marriage Counseling.
When asked about her decision to become a counselor, Jamie shared,
“As a young person, I witnessed suffering among people around me and in my own family. I found joy in being a part of someone’s journey to healing. At 16 years old, I dated someone who was in recovery from substance use and found some amazing tools that were applied to substance use problems that, to me, seemed useful to all! I learned very young I cannot do the work for others, but enjoy walking alongside those who are working through hardship. I am passionate about assisting clients in reaching their goals for treatment in holistic ways, including incorporating faith in their treatment.”
Jamie chose to join the Lutheran Family Service ministry team because she found alignment with the mission and vision. Jamie’s desire is to expand the understanding of mental health within the truth of God’s word and share the gospel with those in the community.
“I recently worked in a secular environment and had a verse hidden in my office where only I could see it! 1 Corinthians 3:4b says “…God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in affliction, with the comfort we ourselves are comforted by God.” I have been comforted by God’s grace and patience with me for many years and am so excited to share that comfort, patience, and grace with those who I have the privilege to serve. I am grateful that I do not have to hide the hope and healing that I have found in Christ in this ministry.”
When asked how faith plays an important role in her therapy career, Jamie said,
“I completed a masters of professional counseling degree from Liberty University which teaches skillful integration of Christian faith in sessions. I have worked as a servant of God in a few different kinds of environments, but no matter where I was, I saw God as my ultimate “employer.” I pray for clients, with clients if they want, and see God’s hand as the most powerful tool of healing and myself as his hands and feet. I also believe that God created each of us to function a certain way. Our brains are complex and wonderful organs that have significant changes that can happen based on how we think, feel, and act which is found in scripture. My therapeutic approach confirms creation and the things we learn from researchers that are pointing to the amazing handiwork of God.”
Clients appreciate Jamie’s ability to help them feel at-ease and confident in finding solutions during their difficult personal circumstance. Her Christian perspective offers a safe place to process issues and to incorporate faith into the healing process.
If you or someone you know is in need of Christ-centered mental health or marriage counseling, refer to or contact us today.
Not located near Bettendorf, Iowa? Visit our website to see if one of our other locations is near you, or, if telehealth/distance counseling is an option at: https://lutheranfamilyservice.org/mental-health-counseling/.
Lutheran Family Service walks with those experiencing difficult times through mental health counseling, marriage counseling, crisis pregnancy counseling, and adoption services.
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