Ep. 53 - Faith-Based Trauma Healing: Rediscover Your Identity in Christ with Kayla Roberts, LMHC, BCCC

The Holistic Counselor

Join host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS, as she welcomes special guest Kayla Roberts, LMHC, BCCC, a seasoned faith-based trauma therapist and EMDR specialist. Together, they explore practical ways to integrate faith and psychology for holistic healing, identity restoration, and spiritual freedom.

In this insightful conversation, Kayla Roberts shares how trauma impacts identity and how finding your true identity in Christ can unlock lasting mental wellness. Through proven therapeutic methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and attachment theory, learn how to address underlying trauma and overcome emotional and spiritual obstacles.

Discover key biblical truths to replace harmful lies about self-worth and practical faith-based strategies to deepen your healing journey.

Key Topics Explored in This Episode:

• Integrating Faith and Psychology: Why faith and therapy are inseparable and how biblical principles align with psychological truths.
• Trauma and Identity: Understanding trauma’s effect on identity formation and rediscovering your true self in Christ.
• Understanding EMDR Therapy: How Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can accelerate trauma healing and emotional regulation.
• Four Common Lies Affecting Identity:
  1. "I’m unlovable."
  2. "I’m stupid."
  3. "I’m defective."
  4. "I'm simply not good enough."
• Healing from Religious Trauma: How spiritual bypassing affects emotional health and strategies for overcoming church hurt.
• Multicultural Counseling Awareness: Recognizing how cultural backgrounds influence experiences of trauma, healing, and faith.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Galatians 3:28 – "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (ESV)
• John 1:1 – "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (ESV)
• Romans 5-7 – Discusses freedom from sin’s power through Christ's sacrifice.

Practical Faith-Based Healing Steps:

1. Seek Safe and Loving Relationships: Build relationships with people who offer unconditional love, accountability, and reflect God’s character.
2. Identify and Challenge Fear: Recognize underlying fears that prevent emotional healing, and bravely confront them with God’s truth.
3. Embrace Your True Identity in Christ: Regularly affirm biblical truths about who God says you are.

Recommended Resources:

• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) – Learn more about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy.
• "No Bad Parts" by Dr. Richard Schwartz – Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.
• Bible Hub – Tool to explore original biblical Greek and Hebrew meanings.
• YouVersion Bible App – Free Bible reading plans and devotionals.

Connect with Kayla Roberts:

• Website: Rivergate Family Resource Center
• Church Resources: Encounters Church
  • Kayla’s “Freedom from Trauma” 10-part series
  • Identity and attachment theory teachings

About Kayla Roberts, LMHC, BCCC:

Kayla Roberts is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Board Certified Christian Counselor, Certified EMDR Therapist, and passionate advocate for trauma-informed, faith-based healing. With over two decades of counseling experience, Kayla integrates clinical expertise with biblical wisdom to help clients reclaim their identity in Christ and experience lasting emotional freedom.

About Your Host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS:

Diana S. Rice is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, Certified Telehealth Professional, Qualified Supervisor, consultant, and host of The Holistic Counselor Podcast. She specializes in holistic wellness, mental health coaching, and spiritually-informed counseling through her private practice, Through the Valley Therapy.

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Remember: Trust in the Lord, guard your heart, and renew your mind!