Hello and welcome to The River Foundation Podcast! Today, we are joined by one of the newest members of the First Southern family of companies' counseling team, Tara Ray. We further a broad ongoing discussion of the role of faith in dealing with mental health issues as Tara offers her guidance based on her own professional and personal experiences. Tara sheds light on ideologies and techniques for living a healthier mental life by focusing on balance when treating mental health concerns.

Tara is a mother of three and wife of First Southern board member Michael Ray. She operates from a person-centered perspective, recognizing each person as a unique individual, created in the image of God, and meant to have a relationship with him. She believes that we are also created to exist in community, meaning that we must help each other through the hardships of this life. Her goal is to help her clients grow closer to God and work toward the eternal reward of everlasting life in heaven with Christ. She is most passionate about de-stigmatizing mental health issues in the church and merging the scientific and spiritual schools of thought surrounding mental health. Tara is excited to be available for counsel starting in January 2022.

Episode Highlights:

[0:20] We meet one of the newest members of the First Southern family of companies' counseling team, Tara, as she tells us about herself and her beautiful family.

[1:51] "It's been amazing, the doors that God has opened that I could never have planned for myself." Tara shares how her battle with serious postpartum depression guided her to become a counselor with the goal of helping her fellow Christians combine science and faith in times of need.

[8:02] Tara details her approach to dealing with depression based on three tenets: behavior, counseling, and medicine.

[12:28] "The Lord provided us with Tara Ray!" We learn how Tara fits into the counseling team, and we hear her advice on making mental health a priority heading into 2022.

Episode Resources:

Life Springs Website