This is session 2 of our two-part pod-class series “I Think I Need a Therapist.” If you’re a stickler for listening to podcasts in their sequential order and you missed last week’s episode, you may want to hit pause and play session 1 first. But you’ll find the conversations valuable in whichever order you listen to them.

Today Heather sits down with family therapist Sarah Bontrager, a friend and former colleague from Heather’s Colorado Christian University days. In their candid conversation, Sarah talks about her own experience in therapy after her son Ben’s cancer diagnosis. Sarah also offers her perspective on how to know when you should see a therapist, the difference between clinical depression and situational depression, and navigating symptoms of anxiety.

In this episode, Sarah also shares a deeply personal testimony of an encounter she had with Jesus. What if, in your life, Jesus turns out to be exactly who he said he is? Sarah’s story will leave you with a deeper awareness of God’s presence.

Heather also chats with our favorite social media expert, Brady Shearer, about online trolling. What do we do when someone posts something about us that’s insensitive or intentionally harsh? Brady’s tips will help you add more tools to your Social Toolkit. 

Guest Bio

Sarah Bontrager is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an assistant professor of psychology at Colorado Christian University, and a PhD student in Philosophy of Performance Psychology. She is a Colorado native and lives in Golden with her husband of 22 years, Dr. Jeff Bontrager, and their four children—Ethan (20), Sam (15), Benjamin (13), and Isabella (10). Sarah has been in private practice since 2008 and is passionate about engaging authentically with relevant, pressing mental health and faith issues with teens, athletes, families, couples, and children. Her specialties include working with depression and anxiety, life-stage adjustments, performance issues, faith questions, parenting, trauma, grief, and family relationships. Outside of work, Sarah loves to cook, lead worship, and spend time with her friends and family, skiing, hiking, camping, and traveling.

Additional Links

Join Heather and Beth Moore at the next Living Proof LIVE event at National Church of God in Washington, DC, June 9 and 10. Buy tickets at https://www.lproof.org/events.

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I’ll See You Tomorrow and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Producer: Loren Joseph

Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps

Mix Engineer: Alex Carter

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper