Lies My Therapist Told Me - by Greg E Gifford (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An Christian critique of secular therapy and mental health culture"--

Book Synopsis

"Few books combine theological precision with practical wisdom as skillfully as Lies My Therapist Told Me." -- Jonny Ardavanis

"Dr. Gifford is an incredible resource." -- Allie Beth Stuckey

From beloved Christian counselor, professor, and podcaster Greg Gifford comes a bold and balanced critique of the mental health establishment.

Too many people are caught in a vicious cycle of visiting every doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, and therapist in their area only to find frustrating labels and numbing medications at the end of each path. Rather than eradicating anxiety in the same way vaccines conquered smallpox, the mental health establishment has seen the number of diagnoses and prescriptions skyrocket on its watch.
How did we get here? And does Christianity have any answers for this mental health crisis?
In Lies My Therapist Told Me, Dr. Greg Gifford delivers the definitive Christian critique of secular psychiatry and psychology. He shows how mental health culture spreads beliefs that misinform our understanding of ourselves and our issues, and he debunks popular myths such as:

• We feel and act the way we do because the body keeps the scores of trauma
• Addiction is a disease
• If you improve your brain health, your mind will follow
• Medications can heal your mind
• Every abnormal or sinful behavior is caused by a mental disorder

These ideas, though common, are ultimately unhelpful because they are based on unbiblical assumptions. Gifford brings clarity where secular therapy has created confusion, and offers hope even for those struggling with the hard cases. Through deep research, biblical teaching, and the inspiring stories of real counselees, he shows why we can't blame the past --or even a diagnosis-- for our bad behavior, and why our society's growing unhappiness is not primarily a medical issue.
With a foreword by Todd Friel of Wretched Radio, this book is a must-read for counselors and counselees alike. You can read all the mental health research in the world, but you still won't learn God's answers for winning the battles in your mind. Lies My Therapist Told Me is a powerful, cutting-edge argument that the supernatural wisdom of the Bible is truly enough for every need.

Review Quotes

"People visit therapists because they want change, but below the surface are important questions about definitions of problems and methods of effecting change. With competence and compassion, Greg Gifford skillfully identifies distinctions between solutions offered by various therapeutic methods and the answers in the Bible. Whether or not you come to this discussion with faith, you should consider the important comparisons found in this book. Modern psychiatry can seem mysterious. Having the curtain lifted will help you understand the nature of the problem so that you can move towards the best solutions." - John Crotts, Pastor of Faith Bible Church, Sharpsburg, GA;author of Hope: Living Confidently in God;host of the Integrated podcast
"In this age of science and medical intervention, there is much confusion in the culture, and unfortunately in the Church, on the topic known as 'mental illness.' Dr. Gifford offers much-needed wisdom on the topic. His thoughts are well-balanced to the truth of Scripture and the issues of science. This book is a must-read to better understand being human, both body and soul." - Lee Edmonds, MD;Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons (Retired);Chief of Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine, Bassett Healthcare (Retired)
"This well-researched book makes an important contribution to the biblical counseling movement. Greg Gifford seeks to help Christian counselors correctly identify the spiritual issues behind their counselees' struggles along with biblical solutions. I highly recommend this book and plan to commend it to my students." - Jim Newheiser, Professor of Christian Counseling and Pastoral Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte;Executive Director, The Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship
"Lies My Therapist Told Me is more than just a book; it is a thoroughly biblical masterpiece and a must-read for anyone seeking clarity and God-glorifying sanity in a world gone mad." - Emeal (E.Z.) Zwayne, President of Living Waters and author of Fight Like a Man: A Bold, Biblical Battle Plan for Personal Purity
"This book explains how therapy has often become a substitute for Biblical teaching about sin, repentance, and the renewing of the mind. Rather than experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians today frequently rely on humanistic solutions that offer no real help for the soul. Be prepared to take a deep dive into some controversial issues that relate to the distinction between the mind and the brain and how our reliance on drugs can at best cure only the symptoms of a deeper malady." - Erwin W. Lutzer, Pastor Emeritus, Moody Church, Chicago
"While certain issues can stem from the brain, Gifford--with wit, clarity, and pastoral care--reminds us that Christians can renew their mind, be transformed, and have true freedom instead of being enslaved to sin just as the Bible commands. In an age of mental health and therapy, this is a must-read for Christian discernment." - Abner Chou, President, The Master's University and Seminary
"Gifford cuts through the confusion raging over the mind and brain while demonstrating how the treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in our Lord Jesus Christ are sufficient and strong to rescue us from deep and dark affliction. Lies My Therapist Told Me will grow your discernment in a confusing world. This book will be helpful, and we need a hundred more like it!" - T. Dale Johnson, Jr., Executive Director of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC);Professor of Biblical Counseling at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary;co-host of the Transformed TV series;host of the Truth in Love podcast
"Lies My Therapist Told Me will be the definitive book on the problems with secular psychology. Greg Gifford not only exposes the barren wasteland of secular therapy, but he also provides the cure. He points to Jesus Christ and His sacred Word as the rich soil out of which all faithful counseling grows." - Heath Lambert, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Jacksonville;author of The Great Love of God: Encountering God's Heart for a Hostile World
"Lies My Therapist Told Me offers a bold and thought-provoking critique of the secular mental health paradigm. It's incredibly helpful and will undoubtedly be a great resource for many. The world may have limits on what it can heal, but Jesus has none." - Shelbi Cullen, Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling and Women's Ministries at The Master's University;co-host of the Women's Hope podcast
"Spiritual infirmities cannot be cured with psychotropic drugs. The guilt and dysfunction with which sin has marred the human soul is not fundamentally a medical issue. Those are truths which the atheistic, materialistic worldview that now dominates our culture cannot comprehend. Dr. Greg Gifford unpacks these truths in careful detail, with extraordinary clarity, and biblical insight in Lies My Therapist Told Me. This is an extremely helpful answer to the so-called 'mental health epidemic.' I highly recommend it. - Phil Johnson, Executive Director, Grace to You
"Our society is more secular than previous generations, and believers must be armed with biblical wisdom to counsel our family and friends on the issues of life, especially as they pertain to the inner man. Lies My Therapist Told Me helps guide Christians on that path." - TruthScript
"The problem with most therapy? It treats sin like sickness, and rebellion like a diagnosis. In Lies My Therapist Told Me, Dr. Greg Gifford offers a compelling biblical perspective, challenging secular psychiatry's empty promises." - Virgil Walker, Teaching Pastor at Redeemer Bible Church, Gilbert, AZ; co-host of the Just Thinking podcast, and co-author of Why Are You Afraid?
"Lies My Therapist Told Me is a worthwhile, thoughtful read, even for Christians who land in a different place than Gifford does." - The Gospel Coalition
"We live in a day that talks incessantly about 'mental health' and 'mental illness' while still not understanding these issues clearly or deeply. Greg Gifford writes with clarity, compassion, and depth as he points the way back to real hope and help. And thankfully, Greg doesn't just write about the people who've been trapped in this secular model; he writes to them with a pastor's heart that longs for them to experience something better. This book is not simply about what he's against. It's a biblical foundation and framework for something he believes can transform your life. Buy it. Read it. Give it away to others." - Brad Bigney, Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church, Florence, KY;author of Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols;host of the Thrive marriage and parenting podcast