This is not a gossip post. When one of the most powerful business leaders in the world admits to an affair, and that affair is reported to have been an opening for foreign intelligence, the story becomes a public case study in something every couple and every leader needs to understand: how infidelity actually happens, why secrecy makes us vulnerable, and what the way back looks like. Scripture gave us a case study on exactly this three thousand years ago. Here is what surfaces when we lay them side by side.

A Word on Fairness

We are working from public reporting, and much of it is still allegation. Nvidia's board has said it is investigating whether Jensen Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence effort, after he acknowledged a relationship with a Singapore-based executive. The board has also said it has no evidence that company secrets or national security were compromised.

So in this post we say alleged spy, we do not diagnose anyone we have never sat with, and we remember that there is a wife and a family on the other side of these headlines who did not ask for any of this. Our aim is not to condemn one man. It is to hold up a mirror.

The Facts as Reported

According to reporting by the New York Times, the Financial Times, Bloomberg and others in October and November 2026, here is the outline of the situation.

The admission. Jensen Huang, co-founder and chief executive of Nvidia, acknowledged to his board that he had been intimate with a business executive outside his marriage.

The allegation. U.S. officials reportedly believe the woman, a Chinese citizen working for a Singapore-based company that was purchasing Nvidia's advanced chips, had ties to China's intelligence services and had been under surveillance by U.S. agencies.

The response. Nvidia's board opened an independent investigation. The company's stock fell sharply, and the story moved from the business pages into government and national-security conversations.

What we do not know. We do not know what, if anything, was shared. We do not know the full timeline, and we do not know what is happening inside the marriage. Those are not ours to know. What we can study is the pattern.

David and Bathsheba, Stage by Stage

2 Samuel 11 and 12

The story of David and Bathsheba is not just a story about lust. It is a step-by-step anatomy of how a good, gifted, God-honoring leader ends up somewhere he never planned to go. Walk through the stages, and watch how closely the modern story rhymes.

Stage One: The Idle Season at the Top

"In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war... David remained in Jerusalem" (11:1).

David is not struggling here. He is at the height of his success: established, wealthy, surrounded by people who handle the hard work for him. Affairs rarely begin in seasons of desperation. They often begin in seasons of success, when the leader has stopped doing the work that kept him accountable and has margin, money and access with nothing watching over them.

The question is not whether you are a good person. David was a man after God's own heart. The question is what your success has quietly removed from your life.

Stage Two: The Look That Lingers

"From the roof he saw a woman bathing" (11:2).

Seeing was not the sin. Staying was. Every affair has a moment like this: a conversation that runs long, a message you reread, a meeting you look forward to more than you should. The psychology here is simple and sobering. Attraction is normal. What we do in the second and third moment is what forms the direction.

Stage Three: The Inquiry, and the Warning Ignored

David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "She is Bathsheba... the wife of Uriah the Hittite" (11:3).

God put a warning in the answer. She has a name, a family and a husband. David heard it and kept going. In couples work we call this the moment where a boundary is consciously crossed. There is almost always a point where the person knew exactly what this was, and chose to proceed anyway.

Stage Four: Power Removes the Friction

"Then David sent messengers to get her" (11:4).

A king does not have to ask twice. This is where power matters. Wealth, status and authority remove the ordinary obstacles that slow most people down: no one questions your travel, no one checks your calendar, no one tells you no.

In Huang's case, he leads one of the most valuable companies on earth, and the woman reportedly came into his world through business, through the very deals his position made possible. Power does not create temptation, but it clears the road in front of it.

Stage Five: The Secret Becomes the Trap

When Bathsheba sends word that she is pregnant, David does not confess. He manages. He brings Uriah home, tries to get him drunk, and finally arranges his death (11:6-17). The cover-up becomes far worse than the original sin.

Here is the point that connects most directly to the headlines. A hidden sin is leverage. Whoever knows your secret holds a handle on your life. Intelligence services have understood this for centuries, which is why relationships, flattery and secrets are among the oldest tools of espionage. If the reporting holds, the affair itself was the open door.

Stage Six: The Betrayal Hiding Inside the Family Tree

There is a detail in Samuel most readers miss. Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam (11:3), and Eliam was the son of Ahithophel (23:34), David's most trusted counselor. Years later, when Absalom rebels, Ahithophel is the one who switches sides and advises the coup (15:12). Many scholars read his betrayal as rooted in what David did to his granddaughter.

David's secret did not stay in the bedroom. It walked into his inner circle and waited. The lesson for every leader is chilling: the vulnerability you create in private eventually shows up in the room where you make your most important decisions.

Stage Seven: Exposure

"The thing David had done displeased the Lord" (11:27).

Then God sends Nathan, who tells a story about a rich man who stole a poor man's only lamb. David burns with anger at the injustice, and Nathan says, "You are the man" (12:7).

Exposure is painful, but in God's economy it is mercy. Notice also what David says in Psalm 51, written after this: "You desire truth in the inward being." What brought David down was not a single look. It was a life that had become two lives. Exposure ends the double life, whether it comes from a prophet, a board investigation or a newspaper.

Stage Eight: The Ripple of Consequences

Forgiveness came quickly: "The Lord has taken away your sin" (12:13). Consequences came slowly: "the sword will never depart from your house" (12:10). The child died. His family fractured over the following years with Amnon, Tamar and Absalom.

Infidelity is never a private sin. It reaches a spouse, children, employees, investors and, in Huang's case, potentially a nation. Grace and consequences are not opposites. God can fully forgive and still allow the harvest of what was planted.

The Psychology of Infidelity

What the patterns tell us

From a clinical and couples-counseling perspective, here are the dynamics that show up again and again, in David's story, in the headlines, and in the counseling room.

It Is a Slope, Not a Cliff

Very few people decide to have an affair in one moment. They make a series of small decisions, each defensible on its own: one more coffee, one private conversation, one message deleted. By the time it is clearly an affair, many small boundaries have already been crossed.

Opportunity Plus Rationalization

Research on infidelity consistently points to two forces: access and justification. Access is the opportunity: travel, privacy, power, money. Justification is the story we tell ourselves: I deserve this, no one will be hurt, my marriage is distant anyway. Remove either one and the risk drops sharply.

Success Can Breed Entitlement

When people serve you all day, it becomes easy to believe the rules bend for you. David took because he could. High-achieving leaders are not more sinful than anyone else, but they are often less resisted, and that is a different and dangerous condition.

Compartmentalization

Many people who have affairs are genuinely devoted in other areas of life. They keep the affair in a sealed room of the mind. That ability to compartmentalize is often what makes high performers effective at work, and it is exactly what allows a double life to continue.

Unmet Needs Are an Explanation, Not an Excuse

Loneliness, admiration, novelty and the desire to feel seen are real human needs. Affairs often meet them, briefly. That is precisely why someone who wants to exploit you will target them. Flattery and attention are the oldest keys there are. Naming your unmet needs and bringing them into your marriage is protection.

Secrecy Creates Its Own Hold

The secret itself becomes part of the attraction: the thrill, the private world, the feeling of being known by someone outside your ordinary life. And the longer it goes on, the higher the cost of confession feels, which keeps people trapped long after they want out.

Where the Comparison Stops

A good case study is honest about its limits.

Different Sins, Different Scale

David committed adultery with a woman under his power and then arranged her husband's death. Nothing in the public reporting suggests anything like that here. The parallel is in the pattern of vulnerability, secrecy and consequence, not in the severity.

Bathsheba Was Not a Spy

Bathsheba had almost no power in that story; the king sent for her. In the modern case, the reporting suggests the woman may have been the one doing the targeting. That actually sharpens the lesson. Whether temptation comes from your own drifting heart or from someone deliberately pursuing you, the open door is the same: a secret you would not want known.

We Do Not Know His Heart

We know David's repentance because Scripture gives us Psalm 51. We do not know what is happening in Jensen Huang's heart or home, and we should pray for restoration there rather than assume the worst.

Lessons for Leaders and Couples

Here is what this case study teaches, whether you lead a company, a ministry or simply a household.

Guard Your Idle Season

Notice when success has removed the structures that used to keep you accountable. Put them back on purpose.

Kill It at the Look, Not at the Bed

Act on the second and third moment. Change the meeting, end the conversation, stop the private messages.

Build Friction Into Your Power

Give someone full permission to question your calendar, your travel and your phone. The more powerful you are, the more you need people who will tell you no.

Have No Secrets That Could Be Used as Leverage

If there is something in your life you would pay to keep hidden, someone else will eventually see its value. Bring it into the light before someone else does.

Tend the Marriage Before the Drift

Affairs grow in neglected ground. Regular time, honest conversations about needs, and counseling before a crisis are not luxuries. They are protection.

If It Has Already Happened, There Is a Way Back

Full truth, without spin. Real accountability. Professional help for both partners. And the grace of a God who said to David, "The Lord has taken away your sin," even as healing took time.

Closing Thoughts

The story of David and Bathsheba is in the Bible not to shame David, but to warn every one of us who thinks it could never happen to me. David was a worshiper, a warrior and a man after God's own heart, and one idle evening on a rooftop changed his family for generations.

Today's headlines remind us that the pattern has not changed: the idle season, the lingering look, the power that clears the road, the secret that becomes someone else's leverage, and the exposure that eventually comes.

But the story does not end at the rooftop. It ends with a man on his knees writing, "Create in me a pure heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10). If you are standing at the beginning of that slope today, step off it. If you are already deep into it, there is still a Nathan, still a way back, and still a God who restores.

Whatever is hidden, bring it into the light while the light is still a mercy.

The first weeks with a new baby can bring joy, exhaustion and a lot of feelings you did not expect. Crying for no clear reason. Feeling short-tempered or overwhelmed. Wondering why you do not feel the way you thought you would.

Many new parents go through this, and for most, it passes on its own. But sometimes those feelings stay, or get heavier, and that can be a sign of postpartum depression.

This guide explains the difference, the signs to watch for and when it helps to reach out.

What are the baby blues?

The baby blues are very common. Most new mothers experience them in some form in the days after giving birth.

They usually:

• Start within the first two to three days after delivery

• Feel like mood swings, tearfulness, irritability, worry and trouble sleeping (even when the baby sleeps)

• Ease up on their own within about two weeks

The baby blues are linked to the big hormonal shifts after birth, combined with lack of sleep and the huge adjustment of caring for a newborn. Rest, support and time usually help them pass.

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD) is more than the baby blues. It is a mood condition that affects roughly 1 in 7 new mothers, and it can affect fathers and partners too.

Postpartum depression:

• Can start any time during pregnancy or in the first year after birth

• Lasts longer than two weeks

• Feels heavier, and makes it harder to get through the day or care for yourself and your baby

It is not a sign of weakness, and it does not mean you are a bad parent. It is a common health condition, and it is treatable.

Baby blues vs. postpartum depression at a glance

Signs it may be postpartum depression

Talk to someone if, for more than two weeks, you notice:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, empty or numb most of the day

• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy

• Feeling disconnected from your baby, or not feeling the bond you expected

• Intense guilt, shame or feeling like you are failing

• Constant worry, panic or racing thoughts

• Trouble sleeping even when you have the chance, or sleeping far more than usual

• Big changes in appetite

• Pulling away from your partner, family or friends

• Trouble concentrating or making decisions

Postpartum anxiety is also common, and it can show up with or without depression. If worry or panic is taking over, that is worth talking about too. Read more in our guide to postpartum panic.

When to get help right away

Reach out for help immediately if you:

• Have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

• Feel unable to care for yourself or your baby

• See or hear things others do not, or feel confused or paranoid

These can be signs of a serious condition called postpartum psychosis, which is rare but needs urgent care. Call or text 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.

You can also call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262), free and available 24/7.

Who is more at risk?

Postpartum depression can happen to anyone, but it is more likely if you have:

• A history of depression or anxiety, before or during pregnancy

• Had postpartum depression after a previous birth

• Limited support at home

• Major stress, such as money worries, relationship strain or a difficult birth

• A baby in the NICU or with health challenges

Having one of these does not mean you will develop postpartum depression. It just means it is worth keeping an eye on how you feel and having a plan for support.

Partners can be affected too

Postpartum depression is not limited to the person who gave birth. Fathers and partners can also experience depression after a new baby arrives, often while trying to hold everything together for the family. Learn more about paternal postpartum depression.

How postpartum depression is treated

The good news is that postpartum depression responds well to treatment. Support often includes:

• Therapy. Talking with a licensed therapist helps you make sense of what you are feeling, manage difficult thoughts and build practical coping skills. Approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy are often used.

• Medication. For some parents, medication can help. A medical provider can talk through options, including what is safe while breastfeeding.

• Practical support. Help with feedings, sleep and household tasks can make a real difference.

• Connection. Talking with other parents who understand can ease the feeling of being alone.

Many parents start to feel better within a few months of getting support.

Small steps that help, whatever you are feeling

• Rest when you can, and accept help with the baby so you can sleep

• Eat regular meals and drink water

• Get outside for a few minutes each day if you are able

• Tell someone you trust how you are really feeling

• Lower the bar on everything that is not essential right now

These are not a replacement for treatment, but they support your recovery and your wellbeing either way.

Postpartum depression support in Maryland

At Lartey Wellness Group, our therapists support new and expecting parents through postpartum depression, anxiety and the big adjustment of life with a baby. Partners are welcome too.

You can meet with a therapist in person at our Laurel office or online anywhere in Maryland, so you do not have to arrange childcare or travel. We accept Maryland Medicaid and most insurance plans.

Learn more about postpartum depression therapy at Lartey Wellness Group, or reach out to get started.

Request an appointment or call (800) 994-5403

If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988 for free, 24/7 support, or visit our crisis resources page.

You have probably heard of cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. It is one of the most widely used and well-researched forms of therapy in the world. But if you are thinking about starting therapy, you might still be wondering what it actually involves, and whether it would help you.

This guide explains CBT in plain language: what it is, what happens in sessions, what it can help with and how it compares to other approaches.

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?

CBT is built on a simple idea: your thoughts, feelings and actions are connected, and each one affects the others.

When you are stressed or struggling, those connections can form a loop that keeps you stuck. An unhelpful thought leads to a difficult feeling, which leads to an action that makes the thought feel even more true.

CBT helps you notice that loop and change it. When you shift one part, like a thought or a habit, the others start to shift too.

What it looks like in real life

Imagine you have a big meeting at work tomorrow.

• Thought: "I'm going to say something wrong and everyone will think I'm incompetent."

• Feeling: Anxiety, a tight chest, trouble sleeping.

• Action: You avoid preparing because thinking about it feels overwhelming, or you call in sick.

The next time a meeting comes up, the anxiety feels even bigger, because avoiding it the first time made it seem more dangerous.

In CBT, you would work with your therapist to:

• Notice the thought and see it as a thought, not a fact.

• Question it. What is the evidence? Have past meetings really gone that badly? What would you tell a friend in the same situation?

• Find a more balanced thought, such as "I might feel nervous, but I've prepared and I know this material."

• Try a different action, like preparing in small steps or going to the meeting even though it feels uncomfortable.

Over time, these small changes break the loop and the anxiety loosens its grip.

Common thinking traps CBT helps you spot

CBT gives names to patterns of thinking that many people fall into, especially when they are anxious or low:

• All-or-nothing thinking: "If it's not perfect, it's a failure."

• Catastrophizing: Jumping straight to the worst possible outcome.

• Mind reading: Assuming you know what others think of you.

• Overgeneralizing: "This always happens to me."

• Should statements: Holding yourself to rigid rules that leave no room for being human.

Just being able to recognize these patterns can make them feel less powerful.

What happens in CBT sessions?

CBT is practical and structured. A typical course looks something like this:

• Setting goals. In your first sessions, you and your therapist talk about what brings you in and what you want to feel or do differently.

• Learning the patterns. You start to notice the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that keep you stuck.

• Practicing new skills. Sessions often include tools like thought records, problem-solving, relaxation techniques or gradually facing situations you have been avoiding.

• Practice between sessions. CBT works best when you use the skills in everyday life, so your therapist may suggest small exercises to try during the week.

• Checking progress. You and your therapist regularly look at what is working and adjust the plan.

Sessions usually last about 50 to 60 minutes. CBT is often shorter-term than some other therapies, and many people work through a course of treatment over a few months, though everyone's pace is different.

What can CBT help with?

CBT has strong research support for many common concerns, including:

• Anxiety, worry and panic attacks

• Depression and low mood

• Stress and burnout

• Phobias and fears

• Insomnia and sleep problems

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Low self-esteem

• Anger and irritability

It is used with adults, teens and children, and it can be adapted for individual, couples and family therapy.

CBT vs. other types of therapy

CBT is one of several evidence-based approaches. Your therapist may use it on its own or alongside others.

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) grew out of CBT. It adds skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, staying present and navigating relationships. It is often helpful for people whose emotions feel overwhelming or hard to control.

• EMDR therapy focuses on processing traumatic or distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. It is often used for trauma and PTSD. Learn more about EMDR therapy.

• Talk therapy in a broader sense may focus more on exploring your history, relationships and feelings, with less structure than CBT.

You do not need to know which approach you want before you start. Your therapist will help you figure out what fits your needs and goals.

Is CBT right for me?

CBT may be a good fit if:

• You want a practical, goal-focused approach

• You find yourself stuck in the same worries or negative thoughts

• You want tools you can use on your own, between sessions and after therapy ends

• You are dealing with anxiety, depression, stress or a specific fear

• You like the idea of seeing measurable progress over time

If you are not sure, that is completely normal. A first appointment is a chance to talk it through.

CBT at Lartey Wellness Group

Our licensed therapists use CBT and other evidence-based approaches with individuals, couples, teens and families. You can meet with a therapist in person at our Laurel office or online anywhere in Maryland.

We accept Maryland Medicaid and most insurance plans, and many clients pay little or nothing for sessions. You can meet our clinicians or reach out to get started.

Request an appointment or call (800) 994-5403

If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988 for free, 24/7 support, or visit our crisis resources page.

Affordable Couples Counseling in Maryland: Free and Low-Cost Options

Many couples who could benefit from counseling never start because they assume it will cost too much. Without insurance, a single session can cost $100 or more, and that can feel impossible when money is already a source of stress.

The good news is that couples counseling in Maryland can be much more affordable than many people expect. This guide walks through the most common ways to lower the cost, including Maryland Medicaid, private insurance and free support options.

How much does couples counseling cost in Maryland?

Without insurance, couples counseling in Maryland typically costs $100 to $250 per session. Most sessions last 50 to 60 minutes, and some therapists offer longer sessions at a higher price.

What affects the price

• The therapist's training. Licensed therapists with specialized couples training, such as the Gottman Method or Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), often charge more.

• Session length. Longer sessions of 80 to 90 minutes cost more per visit.

• Location. Prices tend to be higher in and around larger cities.

• In person or online. Online sessions are often priced the same, but they save you time, travel and sometimes childcare.

• Insurance or Medicaid. Using coverage can bring the cost down to a copay, or to little or nothing.

What a full course of counseling can cost

Many couples meet weekly or every other week for a few months. As an example, 12 sessions at $150 each comes to $1,800 before insurance. That number is why it helps to check your coverage first.

What you might pay with coverage

Does couples therapy cost more than individual therapy?

Not always. Many practices charge the same rate for couples and individual sessions. The difference is usually coverage: some insurance plans cover couples therapy only when it is part of treatment for a mental health concern, like anxiety, depression or stress affecting the relationship.

Is couples counseling worth the cost?

Couples often get the most out of counseling when they start before problems feel out of control. Working through recurring conflict, broken trust or communication problems early can save a lot of stress, and sometimes the much higher cost of separation.

Option 1: Maryland Medicaid

Maryland Medicaid covers outpatient mental health care, and at many practices, including Lartey Wellness Group, it can be used for couples sessions as part of treatment. For many Medicaid members, sessions cost little or nothing.

A few things to know:

• Coverage is tied to care. Couples sessions are often covered when they are part of treatment for a mental health concern, such as anxiety, depression or stress affecting the relationship.

• Not every provider accepts Medicaid. Many private couples therapists do not, so it is worth asking before you book.

• Your provider can check for you. A good practice will verify your coverage before your first session.

Learn more about seeing a therapist with Maryland Medicaid.

Option 2: Private insurance

Some private insurance plans cover couples therapy, and some do not. Coverage often depends on whether sessions are part of treatment for a diagnosed mental health concern.

Questions to ask your insurance company:

• Is couples or family therapy covered under my mental health benefits?

• Does it need to be tied to a diagnosis?

• What is my copay or coinsurance per session?

• Do I need to see an in-network provider?

If your plan does not cover couples therapy, you may be able to use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) when sessions are part of medical treatment. Check with your plan administrator.

Option 3: Employee assistance programs (EAPs)

Many employers offer an employee assistance program that includes a small number of free counseling sessions each year. Some EAPs cover couples sessions. Check your benefits portal or ask your HR team. Even a few free sessions can be a helpful start.

Option 4: Military and veteran resources

If you or your spouse serves in the military, Military OneSource offers free, confidential non-medical counseling, which can include couples sessions. Veterans may also have access to couples and family support through the VA.

Option 5: Free and low-cost community support

While these are not a replacement for therapy, some couples find extra support through:

• Faith communities. Many churches and mosques offer marriage ministries, mentoring or workshops.

• Relationship workshops. Community centers and nonprofits sometimes host free or low-cost classes on communication and conflict.

• Books and online courses. Research-based resources from approaches like the Gottman Method can give couples shared tools to practice.

These can be a good starting point, especially alongside professional counseling.

Signs it is worth investing in couples counseling now

It can be tempting to wait until things feel worse, but couples often get the most out of counseling when they start earlier. Consider reaching out if:

• The same arguments keep happening without resolution

• You feel more like roommates than partners

• Trust has been broken, such as after an affair

• Stress about money, parenting or family is pulling you apart

• One or both of you are thinking about separating

If you are working through a betrayal, our guide to rebuilding trust after infidelity may also help.

Affordable couples counseling at Lartey Wellness Group

Lartey Wellness Group offers couples counseling in person at our Laurel office and online anywhere in Maryland. Here is what that means for cost:

• Maryland Medicaid accepted, with many clients paying little or nothing for sessions

• Most major insurance plans accepted

• Benefits checked before your first visit, so there are no surprises

• Online sessions statewide, which can save time and travel costs

Our couples therapists include clinicians certified in the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). For couples who want faith included, we also offer Christian counseling.

Learn more about couples counseling in Laurel and online.

Request an appointment or call (800) 994-5403

For many Christians, faith is part of how they make sense of hard seasons. So when anxiety, grief, depression or relationship struggles show up, it is natural to want support that leaves room for prayer, scripture and the beliefs that matter most.

That is what Christian counseling offers. But the term can mean different things depending on who is offering it, and it is not always clear what to expect. This guide explains what Christian counseling is, how it compares to other kinds of support, and how to know if it is the right fit for you.

What is Christian counseling?

Christian counseling is mental health support that includes the Christian faith when the client wants it included. In its strongest form, it is professional, evidence-based therapy with a licensed counselor who understands and respects your faith and can bring it into your sessions.

Faith might show up through:

• Prayer at the start or end of a session

• Scripture that speaks to what you are facing

• Conversations about purpose, identity, forgiveness and grace

• Connecting your goals in therapy with your values

• Space for spiritual questions, doubt or feeling distant from God

You decide how much faith is part of your sessions. Some people want it woven throughout. Others simply want a counselor who shares their worldview and will not dismiss it.

Christian counselor vs. therapist: what is the difference?

This is one of the most common questions people ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on the person's training. You will usually come across three kinds of faith-based support:

Pastoral counseling is offered by pastors or church leaders. It can be a real source of spiritual guidance and care, but most pastors are not trained or licensed to treat mental health conditions.

Biblical counseling draws mainly on scripture as the basis for guidance. Counselors may have church or ministry training, but many are not licensed mental health professionals.

Licensed Christian counseling is therapy with a licensed mental health professional who integrates faith into proven clinical approaches. This is the kind of Christian counseling we offer at Lartey Wellness Group.

The key question to ask any counselor is simple: are you licensed? A licensed counselor has clinical training, follows professional standards, can recognize and treat conditions like anxiety, depression and trauma, and can usually bill your insurance.

What Christian counseling can help with

Christian counseling can support you through the same concerns as any other therapy, with your faith as part of the conversation.

For individuals:

• Anxiety, worry and panic

• Depression and low mood

• Grief and loss

• Trauma and painful memories, including through EMDR therapy

• Stress, burnout and big life changes

• Spiritual struggles, doubt or church hurt

For couples: communication, conflict, rebuilding trust and Christian premarital counseling. Learn more about couples counseling.

For families: parent and teen conflict, blended family stress and communication breakdowns.

What happens in a Christian counseling session?

Your first session is a chance to get to know your counselor. They will ask about what brings you in, your history and your goals. They will also ask how you would like faith to be part of your sessions, so you can set the pace from the start.

Ongoing sessions usually last about 50 to 60 minutes. Your counselor will use proven approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to help you understand what you are going through and build practical skills. Faith comes in where it helps, whether that is a verse that speaks to your situation, a prayer, or a conversation about where God fits into a hard season.

Over time, your counselor will check in on your progress and adjust the plan as you grow.

When faith itself feels complicated

Not everyone who looks for Christian counseling feels settled in their faith. Some people are walking through doubt, feel far from God, or have been hurt by a church community. A good Christian counselor makes room for all of that without judgment. You do not need to have it figured out to ask for support.

Does insurance cover Christian counseling?

When Christian counseling is provided by a licensed mental health professional, it is billed like any other therapy session. That means many insurance plans cover it, including Maryland Medicaid at practices that accept it.

Counseling from unlicensed providers, such as some pastoral or biblical counselors, is usually not covered by insurance. If cost matters to you, it is worth asking about licensing and insurance before your first appointment.

Is Christian counseling right for you?

Christian counseling may be a good fit if:

• Your faith is an important part of your life and you want it included in therapy

• You have felt hesitant about therapy because you worried your beliefs would be dismissed

• You want proven mental health care, not only spiritual guidance

• You are working through spiritual questions alongside other struggles

Questions to ask a potential counselor:

• Are you licensed in Maryland?

• How do you include faith in sessions?

• What approaches do you use?

• Do you accept my insurance or Medicaid?

• Do you offer online sessions?

Christian counseling in Laurel and online across Maryland

At Lartey Wellness Group, our licensed Christian counselors work with individuals, couples and families in person at our Laurel office and online anywhere in Maryland. We accept Maryland Medicaid and most insurance plans, and many clients pay little or nothing for sessions.

Learn more about Christian counseling at Lartey Wellness Group, or reach out to get started.

Request an appointment or call (800) 994-5403

If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988 for free, 24/7 support, or visit our crisis resources page.

Frequently asked questions

If you are thinking about EMDR therapy, you probably have questions. What actually happens in a session? Will I have to relive my worst memories? How long until I feel better? And is it normal to feel worse before I feel better?

These are common questions, and knowing the answers can make starting EMDR feel a lot less intimidating. This guide walks through what EMDR sessions look like, how long treatment usually takes, and the side effects some people notice along the way.

A quick refresher: what is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing experiences.

When something painful happens, the memory can get "stuck" with the same emotions and body sensations you felt at the time. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping or tones, while you briefly focus on the memory. Over time, the memory becomes less intense and less tied to the present.

For a full overview of how EMDR works and who it helps, visit our EMDR therapy page.

Before reprocessing: getting ready

Many people are surprised to learn that EMDR does not start with difficult memories. The first sessions focus on getting to know you and making sure you feel steady.

History and goals. Your therapist will ask about your background, what brings you to therapy and what you would like to feel different. You do not need to share every detail of what happened. Together you will identify a few target memories or situations to work on.

Building coping skills. Before any reprocessing begins, your therapist will teach you grounding and calming techniques. A common one is the "calm place" exercise, where you picture a place that feels peaceful and safe. Another is the "container" exercise, where you imagine putting distressing thoughts away until your next session. You will use these skills during sessions and in between them.

This preparation stage can take one session or several. For people with complex or long-term trauma, it often takes longer, and that is a normal part of doing EMDR safely.

What happens during a reprocessing session

Once you feel ready, you will start working on your first target memory. A typical reprocessing session looks something like this:

• Setting up the memory. Your therapist asks you to bring up an image from the memory, the negative belief connected to it (such as "I am not safe" or "It was my fault"), and where you feel it in your body. You will rate how distressing it feels on a scale from 0 to 10.

• Bilateral stimulation. You hold the memory in mind while following your therapist's fingers or a light with your eyes, or while noticing tapping or tones. This happens in short sets of about 20 to 30 seconds.

• Noticing what comes up. After each set, your therapist will ask, "What do you notice now?" You might notice a thought, image, feeling or body sensation. You do not need to explain it in detail. You simply notice and continue.

• Strengthening a positive belief. As the memory becomes less upsetting, your therapist helps you connect it to a healthier belief, such as "I survived" or "I am safe now."

• Closing the session. Every session ends with time to settle. If a memory is not fully processed, your therapist will use your coping skills to help you leave feeling grounded.

Sessions usually last 60 to 90 minutes. Many people describe the experience as watching the memory from a distance, or like scenery passing by a train window. You stay awake and in control the whole time, and you can pause whenever you need to.

Do you have to relive your trauma?

No. This is one of the biggest differences between EMDR and many other approaches. You bring the memory to mind briefly, but you do not have to describe every detail out loud or stay in it for long stretches. Your therapist focuses on what you notice in the moment, not on retelling the full story.

That said, reprocessing can bring up strong emotions. Feeling sad, angry or shaky during a set is common, and your therapist is trained to help you move through it at a pace that feels manageable.

How long does EMDR take to work?

There is no single answer, because it depends on your history and goals. In general:

• Single events, such as a car accident or one frightening experience, may need fewer reprocessing sessions. Some people notice a change within a few sessions.

• Complex or long-term trauma, such as childhood trauma or repeated experiences over many years, usually takes longer. Preparation may take more time, and there may be more memories to work through.

• Most people meet weekly, which helps keep momentum between sessions.

Your therapist will check in with you regularly about progress. One useful sign is when a memory that once felt like a 9 or 10 now feels closer to a 0 or 1, and the negative belief you started with no longer feels true.

If you are carrying memories from childhood, our post on facing repressed memories of childhood trauma may also be helpful.

Common side effects of EMDR

Because EMDR helps your brain process difficult material, it can stir things up for a while. Side effects are usually mild and temporary, and they are often a sign that processing is still happening. Some people notice:

• Vivid dreams or more dreams than usual

• New memories, thoughts or feelings coming up between sessions

• Feeling tired or drained after a session

• A temporary increase in distress before things start to ease

• Headaches or lightheadedness, especially after eye movement sets

• Feeling emotionally raw for a day or two

These effects tend to fade as treatment continues. Using the grounding skills you learned, getting good rest and keeping a few notes about what comes up can all help. Bring anything you notice to your next session, since it often gives your therapist useful information.

If side effects feel overwhelming, tell your therapist. They can slow the pace, spend more time on coping skills or adjust your plan.

Can you do EMDR on yourself?

You may see videos or apps that claim to offer "self EMDR." While some calming techniques, like the butterfly hug, can be helpful for grounding, full EMDR reprocessing is best done with a trained therapist. Working on traumatic memories without support can leave you feeling flooded and without a safe way to close the session.

A trained EMDR therapist provides structure, keeps an eye on your stress level and makes sure you leave each session feeling steady.

Is online EMDR as effective?

Online EMDR follows the same structured approach as in-person sessions. Instead of following your therapist's hand, you may follow a moving dot on the screen or use self-tapping, such as alternating taps on your knees or shoulders. Many clients find it comfortable to do this work from a familiar, private space at home.

At Lartey Wellness Group, you can do EMDR in person at our Laurel office or online from anywhere in Maryland, including Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring and Annapolis.

Getting started with EMDR in Maryland

If past experiences still affect how you feel, think or react today, EMDR may be worth exploring. It can help with trauma and PTSD, and it is also used for anxiety, panic, phobias and distressing memories. Many clients combine EMDR with support for depression or other concerns.

Our trained EMDR therapists see clients in person in Laurel and online across Maryland. We accept Maryland Medicaid and most insurance plans, and our team will check your benefits before your first session. You can meet our clinicians or learn more about EMDR therapy in Laurel and online.

Request an appointment or call (800) 994-5403

If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988 for free, 24/7 support, or visit our crisis resources page.

Frequently asked questions