A Q/A with Deja Scripa-Jones

Deja Scripa-Jones joined our team this Summer as a practicum student studying counseling at Liberty University. She works with a range of people and life troubles, and is especially interesting in caring for people in vocational Christian ministry.

1. Can you tell us about the counseling you do?

I counsel individuals and couples who are seeking to navigate life and current struggles healthily. As a student and intern I have been learning how to help individuals in grief and handling trauma. I hope to continue to grow as a counselor and help ministry leaders and missionaries who are struggling to care for themselves as they care for others.

I don’t want anyone to think they’re on their own when they’re struggling. I want people to understand the value of processing and debriefing experiences. I hope to help clients build a support system and to equip them with resources to navigate life well.

2. How have the shared resources of Christian faith deepened or strengthened the care you are able to provide to believing clients?

It’s a gift to us that people seek out counselors with a Christian worldview. When I am working with someone with this worldview–who knows the true story of the world–then the client and I together can remember who is sovereign, or in control and working for our good. Every part of how I engage in a helping relationship, even just the processing and reflecting, ultimately comes from the perspective that Jesus heals and restores. The care I can provide is strengthened by the fact that we know who the Shepherd is, who can truly care for us and give us joy.

3. What would you tell someone who is interested in counseling but is hesitant to start, if it might involve opening up about painful things? 

Opening up can be hard especially if you have not been vulnerable before. I think growth can start when you simply show up and lean in. You might not know what to expect and it can be hard to trust someone you don’t know but as you lean in you’ll find the safe space to share. The goal of counseling is not to make painful things disappear but to acknowledge it and not let it hold you back from growing in the Lord.