Ask Christian Counseling Associates

On this episode of Ask Christian Counseling Associates, we’re joined by Phyllis Robertson Thomas, daughter of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson and author of I Never Knew, to explore a question many people are quietly asking: Why do childhood wounds still hurt after we’ve forgiven? Discovering her biological father brought Phyllis into the Robertson family, but it didn’t erase the pain of her past. Today we’ll explore her personal healing journey and how faith and counseling help us face childhood wounds and find healing.

Can mental health treatment sometimes do more harm than good? Today, Tom Weil and Alex Hoffman join us to explore that question through Abigail Shrier’s book, Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up, a selection from the CCA Reading List. Are we helping young people build resilience - or could some approaches leave them less prepared to face life’s challenges?

On this episode of Ask Christian Counseling Associates, Tom Weil and Alex Hoffman join us for an update on Seeds of Freedom, our agricultural and Christian development initiative in Liberia.

We’ll look at what we learned in 2026, our vision for 2027, and how sustainable development can create lasting opportunity through meaningful work and church-centered local leadership. We’ll also share how donors and local churches can partner with Seeds of Freedom through financial support and mission teams.

On this episode of Ask Christian Counseling Associates, we're joined by Brett Durbin, Executive Director of Advancement at Honey Lake Clinic and founder of the Trash Mountain Project. For years, Brett served people living in some of the most difficult conditions in the world. While helping others navigate hardship, he eventually found himself facing burnout, the impact of repeated trauma, and a personal need for healing. Today, through personal testimony, we'll explore a simple yet profound question: What actually heals trauma - and what tends to make it worse?

On this episode of Ask Christian Counseling Associates, we're joined by Andrea Hay, Clinical Supervisor, and Allen Joseph, Lead Counselor at Christian Counseling Associates, to discuss a timely question: Are we overdiagnosing mental illness?

As mental health awareness has grown, so have diagnoses. Are we recognizing genuine disorders, or are we sometimes labeling normal human struggles? Join us as we explore the research, the clinical perspective, and the importance of thoughtful diagnosis.

On this episode of Ask Christian Counseling Associates, we're joined by Ian Lee, intern counselor at CCA, for a conversation about a growing concern among young men today. Many people struggle emotionally, yet men are often less likely to talk about emotional pain or seek help. As a result, many suffer in silence. Today, we'll explore why men are struggling emotionally—and rarely talking about it.

On this episode of Ask Christian Counseling Associates, we’re joined by Jamie Caruso and Kiley Henehan, Clinical Supervisors at Christian Counseling Associates, to explore a question many people wrestle with after they have been deeply hurt: Can you heal without forgiving?

When someone has been betrayed, abused, abandoned, or mistreated, forgiveness can feel impossible. In this conversation, we discuss how forgiveness relates to justice, boundaries, and emotional recovery—and what it means to pursue healing in a way that honors both truth and grace.

On this episode of Ask Christian Counseling Associates, we’re joined by Rev. Brian Smith, a Missouri Synod Pastor and CCA partner in York, PA, to discuss “Church Wounds”—when church hurt becomes a mental health crisis. What happens when the place meant for healing becomes the source of pain—and how does that impact mental health? Together, we’ll explore what leads to church hurt, and how churches can respond with both truth and compassion.

On this episode of Ask Christian Counseling Associates, we explore “The Mental Health Cost of Living Without Truth.” As our culture encourages people to define their own reality and “live their truth,” many are experiencing rising anxiety and identity confusion. Joining us is Pastor Clarke Lauffer of Calvary Chapel of Westmoreland County. Together, we discuss how truth shapes emotional stability.

Why do so many high-achieving people still feel empty? In this episode of Ask Christian Counseling Associates, Pastor Chris Whitehead from Charter Oak Church helps us explore the psychological and spiritual roots of achievement-driven identity. Discover how success can become a control strategy, why anxiety increases with external validation, and what Scripture reveals about true fulfillment. If you’ve ever asked, “Why am I still not satisfied?” - this conversation is for you.