• ShineBright is for anyone who desires to grow, heal, learn, and become the healthiest they can be for themselves and/or their family. ShineBright places a strong emphasis on families however there are resources and guidance available to individuals/adults who simply want to learn more about their spiritual journey and how psychology can be incorporated into it. We do not exclude anyone based on gender, race, religion, or education.

  • ShineBright offers a variety of ways to receive our programs. Whether through in person workshops, yearly events, or online programs we aim to provide a way for everyone to receive the information ShineBright promotes. For more information check our our events page to see what we have going on. 

  • No. ShineBright is not a counseling center, therapy practice, or mental health treatment provider.  Our mission is to educate, equip, and empower individuals and families through faith based learning, practical tools, community support, and personal development resources.

    We create spaces for growth, healing conversations, and transformational learning, but we do not diagnose, treat, or provide clinical mental health services.  We deeply value the work of licensed mental health professionals and believe there is wisdom in seeking the right support when needed. While we may partner with some licensed healthcare workers for certain events or workshops, their time and resources do not constitute licensed therapy and should not be treated as such.

    Part of our mission is helping people recognize when additional professional care may be beneficial and encouraging them to connect with qualified providers.

  • By contacting us. Whether you are an individual, church, business, educator, mental health professional, or community organization, there is a place for you to help us make a difference. Together, we can create opportunities for learning, healing, growth, and transformation. Join us in expanding the mission of balancing psychology and faith within everyday life. 

  • ShineBright believes that faith, prayer, psychology and medicine do not have to compete. We strongly value our faith foundation and the actions around having faith while also recognizing the importance of evidence based psychological and medical care. This includes supporting the appropriate use of psychiatric medication and care when it is prescribed and monitored by a qualified healthcare professional. We do not believe that needing therapy, medication, or other professional mental health care represents a lack of faith.

    For ShineBright, caring for the whole person means taking spiritual, emotional, psychological, and physical needs seriously. Our role is not to prescribe medication or replace licensed healthcare professionals, but to encourage individuals and families to seek these resources when appropriate.

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    For more information on how beneficial it may be to include both faith, psychology and/or pharmacotherapy and how much more supported this is despite current perceived views please read below.

    • The efficacy of psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies for mental disorders in adults: an umbrella review and meta-analytic evaluation of recent meta-analyses: https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20941

    • A network meta-analysis of the effects of psychotherapies, pharmacotherapies and their combination in the treatment of adult depression https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20701

    • US Religious Leaders’ Views on the Etiology and Treatment of Depression: doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.4525

  • Yes. However, we are aware that a lot of research for many years has taken a heavily secular focused approach. This is why ShineBright emphasizes a balance between the science of psychology and the guidance of scripture. During our process of studying literature we ensure that we work closely with the guidance of scripture at hand. We ask, does this align with what has been written years ago? How does it relate to us as humans in the modern day? And most importantly, Does it contradict or align with the word of God? When we find research that aligns with God’s word we use that as the foundation for our curriculums, teachings, workshops, and any setting where it’s possible to help and educate others. When it does not we attempt to figure out why. Is it our understanding of the scripture or could there be other factors that were not considered in research.


    For example, research examining the Marshmallow Test found an association between a child’s ability to delay gratification and later academic achievement. More recently, research by Watts et al. (2018), however, showed that family background, early cognitive ability, and the environment at home also play an important role in these outcomes. Findings from this study demonstrate that self-regulation is one important part of a child’s development while also reminding us that children also develop within broader family and environmental contexts. Self-control is identified as a fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, which is why ShineBright encourages it development not just based on scripture or the research but on both. And this includes encouraging for both children and adults.

    For more info see:

    • Revisiting the Marshmallow Test: A Conceptual Replication Investigating Links Between Early Delay of Gratification and Later Outcomes: https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797618761661

  • We believe that both psychology and faith have their own roles in everyday life. The idea is not to combine the two into one big solution. We aim to combine the two in a way that still uses their respective strengths and place in the process of healing and growing. By keeping both in their respective positions in everyday life we can utilize the strength of each without having to diminish the role of other. Our goal is to bring an equal usage of both instead of simply relying on one or the other for personal growth. There should never be a time where one concept is dismissed while the other is the sole priority of the process. Rather it would look more like pulling from both things to work together for a clearer picture.

  • No. Our mission is to serve as a point of education and to provide guidance necessary to find the right sources of care. Whether that looks like attending a church service and speaking with a spiritual leader or attending a counseling center and speaking with a licensed medical professional. Neither one of the methods are ever overlooked or discouraged and the solution and path is different for everyone. Sometimes getting started can be the hardest part and we want to help others find the sources they need to overcome this obstacle. All with the goal of building a better understanding of what could be going on internally so that each individual can get closer to determining the best course of action for themselves.

  • There is currently a lot of research that exists on the relationship between spirituality and mental wellbeing. A lot of the research actually suggests that both play a meaningful role in emotional wellbeing and don’t have to work separately.

    A good example would be the research on Religiously Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques with a person’s existing spiritual beliefs. By not requiring individuals to separate their faith from their mental health treatment, both aspects can play a meaningful role in the therapeutic process. The research found that integrating both can be as effective, and in some cases, can provide additional benefits for those who highly value their faith without sacrificing the psychological treatment.  (Pearce et al.).

    This is just one example of research findings that support Shine Bright’s idea. We aim to help individuals understand that there is no need to abandon one’s faith for the sake of bettering one’s mental wellbeing. In fact the bible encourages us to seek wise counsel from our brothers and sisters, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14 ESV). What better way to help one another than to understand how our minds respond to certain situations, and how responses can look different for everyone.

    For more example please see the following: 

    • A spiritual intervention to reduce stress, anxiety and depression in pregnant women: Randomized controlled trial: https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2020.1836643

    • The evaluation of religious and spirituality-based therapy compared to standard treatment in mental health care: A multi-level meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2023.2241626

  • We periodically review the most up to date scientific research on different topics revolving around psychology. Due to the fact that science is an everyday changing thing as new information arrives, we understand that the literature from one day to the next can change and our understanding can completely shift. With that in mind we do our best to continuously check and educate ourselves on what it is that science is providing us and how we can best apply that to our lives. 

  • At ShineBright, we believe Scripture provides the foundation for our understanding of life and purpose. At the same time, we believe caring for people involves recognizing the many different areas of a person’s life. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prays that a person's “whole spirit, soul and body” would be kept blameless. While this passage is not a description of modern psychology, it reflects a biblical concern for the whole person.

    For ShineBright, this means we do not believe attention to spiritual growth requires us to ignore emotional, psychological, relational, or physical needs. Psychology can provide useful knowledge. When those insights are responsibly used, we believe they can complement rather than compete with faith.

    Our goal is not to replace biblical guidance with psychology, but to remain grounded in Scripture while using psychological knowledge to better support the whole person.

  • No. But sometimes our understanding of the research or biblical doctrine may give the idea that it does. For this reason here at ShineBright we encourage having an open dialogue before dismissing the whole idea. As stated, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, Romans 12:2.

    Due to many misconceptions and misunderstandings in the past, many believe that psychology directly discourages faith. ShineBright aims to correct the misunderstandings that have been passed down through habitual practices of the world and provide a new perspective. A perspective that allows psychology and biblical teachings to take and hold their places in battling mental struggles. This is why it is important to maintain an open dialogue not only about what the scripture says but rather our understanding of it and how it applies in the present day. 

  • At ShineBright, we encourage and ask all its members and participants to remain biblically grounded. This begins with a continuous commitment to studying and understanding Scripture, We believe that spiritual growth requires effort and intentionality. Which is why our members and leaders are encouraged to read their Bible daily, seek biblical guidance via preachings or through religious leaders and remain open to learning from a different perspective. All while ultimately examining the different perspectives and information through the lens of scripture. 


    Acts 17:11 describes Bereans as receiving teachings eagerly while examining the scripture daily to determine whether or not the information they heard and received from Paul had been true. We seek to follow the same principles. Psychological research, scripture, personal experiences, and outside perspectives can provide valuable insight, but they are not accepted without further research and understanding. We continually consider how the principles we teach align with our mission.

  • No, ShineBright is not connected to any one denomination or church. While our core principles are built on the Bible, our heart is to serve the whole Body of Christ and anyone seeking healing, growth, and natural tools for life regardless of spiritual background / association. We celebrate the beauty of different traditions while remaining grounded in the scripture within the Bible.

    Ephesians 4:3 states, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” We do not aim nor encourage anyone to disregard the opinions and walks of others due to their faith and/or spiritual backgrounds. 

  • By providing and promoting resources to take action. We believe that God cares about the whole person, which includes our spiritual life, our emotional wellbeing, relationships, and everyday experiences. However many individuals today rely simply on faith and a belief in change instead of becoming active participants in the change they desire. By providing guidance on where to start thinking and looking both in scripture and mental health resources, we believe individuals can take charge of everything that God cares about. 


    Romans 12:2 states, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” By providing these resources we believe individuals can not only experience a renewal in their thought process and daily life but take charge of their lives in the process and feel as if they are back in the driver's seat.