Pastoral counselor Michon McCorkle encourages clients to see themselves as God does to recover from mental and emotional stress.
By Kristen Thomason
America is in the middle of a mental health crisis and, thankfully, pastoral counselor Michon McCorkle is there to help. “Over the last few years, Americans have dealt with polarizing political beliefs, social unrest and a global pandemic,” McCorkle said. “These rapid and volatile events have caused grief, chaos, isolation and stress that have left many people physically exhausted, mentally depleted and emotionally overwhelmed.”
In 2011, McCorkle left her job in the corporate world to pursue her calling as a marriage and family therapist. “Most of my life I have felt compelled by God to minister to the needs of others by supporting, helping, encouraging and empowering people to experience freedom, wholeness and healing.”
When it came to endorsement, she chose CBF because of the organization’s support for women and members of the LGBTQ community in ministry. McCorkle established Family Matters Christian Counseling in Carmel, Indiana, where she integrates biblical principles with the science of psychology and faith-based support to help individuals, couples and families “see themselves as God does.” She also offers counseling via teletherapy from a second office in Cornelius, North Carolina.
McCorkle provides therapy tailored to her clients’ needs and goals through either short-term sessions to tackle a specific issue, or longer term counseling to help with more difficult issues. For couples in crisis or those who must travel a significant distance to see her, she offers an intensive three-day option to jump-start the healing process by addressing challenges in communication, conflict and intimacy. Whichever path a person chooses, McCorkle focuses the therapy around what she believes are “God’s initiatives through Christ”— reconnection, reconciliation and restoration.
Christian counseling is about “inviting God into the healing process.” In order to do that, participants must reconnect with God, themselves and others. “Reconnection is learning to be curious and attentive to what you’re going through while developing compassion and a deeper understanding of self and relationships,” McCorkle said. Mindfulness is one way to slow down and reconnect. Believing God’s truth rather than following fear is another.
“Michon has been helpful with reminding me to stay focused on who God says I am,” one client said. “I have had moments where I’ve lost sight of that, but through my sessions with her, I am reminded of scriptures; and she has also provided some good resources for my personal growth. I appreciate her listening and sharing truthful insight.”
The next step is to reconcile important relationships. “Reconciliation is a way of renegotiating your relationships and coming to terms with a new way of functioning,” McCorkle said. In order to do this, it is necessary to examine the ways a person’s thoughts, beliefs and behaviors might influence how they see themselves, others and their circumstances. For couples and families in therapy, this means “hearing and accommodating each other with love and respect.” One couple found help transitioning into their empty nest years by working with Michon together and separately. “As a Christian counselor, we knew Michon was also praying for us. She guided us to assurance, peace and the path forward.”
Restoration isn’t always possible; but when participants are honest and authentic with one another, they can move forward together and rebuild their relationship making it “what it was originally intended to be.” One facet of restoration is discovering the deeply rooted “dream” God has for an individual’s life and family. McCorkle says believing that with God you are enough, “will put you on a path to endless possibilities, the discovery of talents and the inner strength you never knew existed.”
“We came to her at a fragile and volatile period in our marriage,” said another client. “Through her expertise we were able to address some long-standing dysfunction and do the work to completely restore our marriage.”
Like Jesus’ followers in the Gospel, when folks find the freedom Michon McCorkle offers through Christian counseling, they want to share it with others. “I’ve grown my self-esteem, confidence, spiritual relationship and learned to value myself,” said one client. “I’ve referred so many close friends because they have seen such a drastic change in my life.”
A patient who was counseled by McCorkle both before and after her marriage sees the positive impact therapy has had in her relationships. “I’m certain my marriage is better because of it. My husband is now seeing Michon, and his life is being changed as well.” Another couple commented, “We often jest that if we could fly [her] out to every family event, we would.”
Last September, Michon McCorkle followed God’s call again and was ordained to the gospel ministry by Fernwood Baptist Church in South Carolina. She believes that “it is my mission to help all people see themselves as God does– loved, valued and precious;” and her ordination is an extension of that belief. “Ordination confirmed God’s will for my life, and there is more for me to do. My work’s nature has not changed, but ordination will expand opportunities to diversify my career. I’m still seeking counsel from God regarding God’s plans for my future.”