Is it Mental Health or Demonic Strongholds? (Ft. Dr. Natalie Atwell)
What if your mental health struggles had deeper, spiritual causes? Everyone knows how to handle their physical health — exercise and a balanced diet, for example. Modern healthcare also covers mental health, giving us more insights into how to safeguard our thoughts and emotions. But sometimes the roots of our health problems are neither physical nor mental. Things like occult influences, spiritual oppression and demonic strongholds unknowingly could bring spiritual health under attack. This could lead to demonization, depression, gender confusion and suicidal ideation.
In this episode of the Revelations Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Natalie Atwell, a seasoned mental health practitioner and passionate advocate for integrating biblical truths into mental health care. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Atwell shares her journey from overcoming personal challenges like childhood trauma and physical disabilities to becoming a voice in the mental health field. Her insights bridge the gap between mental and spiritual health, offering a unique perspective on how the spiritual and psychological realms intersect.
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone grappling with mental health challenges, whether for themselves or their loved ones. It's especially valuable for Christian parents seeking to navigate the mental health landscape for their children.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:
Discover an in-depth understanding of the connection between mental and spiritual health and how our identity in Christ is so important to live as an image bearer of God.
Learn how spiritual oppression by dark forces could lead to anxiety, sleep paralysis, suicidal ideation and dissociation.
Hear Dr Atwell’s opinion on how technology affects the mental health of our youth, particularly when it comes to anxiety and depression.
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Resources
More from the Revelations Podcast hosted by Reagan Kramer: Website | Instagram | Apple Podcast | Youtube
Visit Dr. Natalie Atwell’s counseling service, Concord Counseling
Website: mentalwarriorconsulting.com
Read The Unseen Realm by Dr. Michael Heiser
Bible Verses:
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Episode Highlights
[01:18] Dr. Atwell's Biblical Approach to Mental Health
Dr. Atwell has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, and currently runs a private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She is an adjunct faculty member at Liberty University and serves on a local human trafficking task force.
Dr. Atwell was born with clubfoot, which required multiple surgeries to correct. But thanks to medical technology, she was able to overcome it.
[06:14] Natalie: “I went from not walking the first two years of my life to being able to complete a marathon. That's a miracle.”
Concord Counseling, which is Dr. Atwell’s practice, believes in integrating biblical teachings with mental health care.
Part of her work involves developing tools and assessments to address both psychological and spiritual challenges to mental and spiritual health.
[11:24] Rising Spiritual Warfare in Mental Health
Post-2020, Dr. Atwell noticed a sharp increase in spiritual oppression linked to mental health, particularly dissociation, sleep paralysis, and suicidal ideation.
Dr. Atwell developed a test to identify occult influences that might be affecting her clients' mental and spiritual health.
Discerning spiritual influences alongside psychological factors is a core part of Dr. Atwell’s methodology.
Dr. Atwell is concerned about the rise of occult practices, being used in therapy. She warns against non-Christian influences in mainstream mental health treatments.
According to Dr. Atwell, non-Christian practices in mental health services could open the gateway to dark forces that seek to harm your spiritual health.
[23:30] The Divine Council Worldview
The Divine Council worldview lets you approach Scripture using a supernatural lens.
According to this perspective, there is a council that rules over the universe. Conversely, the rebels are the Enemy and fallen angels.
[25:20] Natalie: “Being human is special, and I don't know that we talk about it enough, but being an imager of God is so important, and it is our identity that we were called to represent him on earth and to have dominion.”
Natalie believes all sexual perversions stem from fallen angels mating with human women.
Demonic forces attack your identity and the concept of you as an image of God.
[31:21] The Role of Parents in Spiritual Protection
Parents play a central role in protecting their children from dark powers. Dr. Atwell advises parents to harness the power of prayer.
She also stresses the importance of teaching children about spiritual warfare and their identity in Christ.
Parents should closely monitor their children's exposure to technology and social media.
The power of scripture and the divine influences children’s spiritual health.
[35:45] Impact of Technology and Social Media on Youth
Dr. Atwell links rising anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in youth to social media use. Unmonitored technology tends to have a negative effect on children's mental health.
Technology is often a gateway to exposure to dark spiritual influences, even unintentionally.
Gender confusion is often a result of children having access to more sources of information and learning, giving them alternative perspectives.
[47:56] The Importance of Ephesians 6 in Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6 discusses the armor of God, and as such is a central part of spiritual warfare. It has since become a central verse to Dr. Atwell’s approach.
Donning the armor of God can help people protect themselves from spiritual attacks and safeguards spiritual health.
A critical element to remember about Ephesians 6 is the importance of fighting not against flesh, but against spiritual forces.
The armor of God also includes tools like the helmet of salvation, shield of faith, and sword of the Spirit.
[50:44] Deliverance and Mental Health Treatment
Dr. Atwell has developed a treatment model based on biblical principles for spiritual deliverance.
The model focuses on renouncing spiritual influences, confessing sins, and reclaiming identity in Christ.
[51:17] Natalie: “I am a human, an imager of God, and that is my call and plan and purpose in life.”
Dr. Atwell advocates for spiritual freedom through the power of the Holy Spirit and God's word.
About Natalie
Dr. Natalie Atwell is a licensed mental health expert with over 20 years of experience, specializing in the intersection of mental health and spirituality. She is the owner and clinical director of a private counseling practice in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she leads a team of 20 professionals. Dr. Atwell is also an adjunct faculty member at Liberty University, teaching in the Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling programs.
In addition to her clinical work, she serves on her local County Human Trafficking Task Force and collaborates with several nonprofit organizations, including Present Age Ministries, an anti-sex trafficking agency. A passionate advocate for integrating biblical principles with mental health care, Dr. Atwell has developed tools and assessments to help clients address both psychological and spiritual challenges. She is also an author, with her book I Can Do Anything in the Right Pair of Shoes sharing her personal journey of overcoming childhood physical challenges and how faith has shaped her life and career.
Connect with Natalie through her practice’s website, Concord Counseling. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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