Winter Past: A Struggle For Emotional Health
The case study of a patient and a Christian counselor, plus an analysis of why the therapy worked.
Nancy Anne Smith
October 1, 1980
Nancy Smith faced problems deeper than most. This is the account of how she tried to unlock doors leading to health.
As you read, observe the professional skill of the counselor. At the conclusion of the excerpt, we have provided an evaluation of the counseling sessions to help you apply numerous principles in your own ministry.
Winter Past (now reissued as All I Need Is Love) is published by InterVarsity Press.
"May I help you?" The receptionist's voice sounded medical and routine, giving the impression that calling a psychiatrist's office was a perfectly normal occurrence. As my index finger curled around the receiver of my wall phone, I quickly replayed my options. I could hang up. With a twitch of my finger I could cut her off. The small piece of paper containing the clinical address, phone number, and the names of the psychiatrist and her two associates could be discarded and forgotten in the trash.
Again the receptionist offered the invitation, "May I help you?"
I saw my index finger relax its grip on the receiver, and I heard myself say, "Yes." With that "Yes" I unknowingly accepted the opportunity God had planned and placed in my life. I viewed the victory as the ultimate defeat, surrender to the dark enemy within me, depression.
In her same mechanical voice the receptionist said that Dr. Michaels could see me. At the time I knew nothing of Dr. Emily Michaels, but God knew both of us, and the receptionist was his link.
On August 18, 1972 my little yellow Volkswagen (nicknamed "The Yellow Lemon") tooled along the interstate to the clinic. Once there, I found a tastefully appointed room done in pale greens.
I have this habit of holding little conversations with myself when the going gets rough. "I can't believe this. Here ...
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