December 8, 2025
AACC resources guide those journeying through holiday loneliness with a Christ-centered framework
AACC and Dr. Mark Mayfield provide support and encouragement for sufferers of loneliness to rebuild community
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Unfortunately, loneliness is a common feeling that most people experience all too often. A Healthy Minds Monthly Poll from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) finds that, early in 2024, 30% of adults say they have experienced feelings of loneliness at least once a week over the past year, while 10% say they are lonely every day. According to a Harvard research report, “81% of adults who were lonely also said they suffered with anxiety or depression compared to 29% of those who were less lonely.” So, what can people do to combat this wave of isolation that impacts so many?
The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC, www.aacc.net) is dedicated to equipping Christian counselors to best address such difficult topics with carefully curated resources and support. When it comes to isolation, it’s easy to forget about the power of faith, yet religious conviction can have a profound impact on one suffering loneliness. For those looking to overcome loneliness, AACC suggests that Christian counselors prioritize these four key principles:
- Recognize the feeling — loneliness can sneak up on us in different ways; for some, it becomes so familiar that it feels normal. That’s why it’s essential to help clients identify it for what it is.
- Seek God —one of the greatest truths Christians can cling to in times of loneliness is that God is near — closer than they realize. The more people seek Him, the more they’ll experience His comforting presence.
- Take bold steps to get involved — isolation is often self-perpetuating — it can be comfortable and lure people into hesitating to break free. Reminding Christians that overcoming loneliness requires action will push them to build Christ-centered friendships.
- Be confident — loneliness causes people to question their worth and wonder if they’re even lovable. As a counselor, speak life into Christians’ hearts. Their identity isn’t defined by their current situation — it’s rooted in Christ.
In addition to the four principles, AACC Publishing is proud to present “Loneliness: A Guide to Flourish in Community” byMark Mayfield, PH.D, aprofessional counseling workbook for clinicians and clients to work to overcome loneliness.
“We are the most ‘connected’ generation in history. We are also the loneliest and most isolated generation in history,” said Mayfield. “Wouldn’t you tend to agree with both sentences? They are both statistically true. Technology and social media connect users in new and more effective ways every day. Yet most of those ‘connected’ people often admit to feelings of isolation and being ‘on the outside looking in.’ How can we be so connected and so lonely at the same time?
“The reason for this struggle is that we are significantly distracted. We have so much competing for our attention that we don’t operate within the way we were designed. We were created for connection and for relationships. However, most of our many electronic ‘connections’ are in name only. They are a long way from being genuine, intimate, growing relationships. As soon as we close the app or shut off the phone, we’re again faced with our often-crushing aloneness. However, we were designed by the Creator to be connected — for community!”
In this workbook, Mayfield encourages those suffering from loneliness to give it another try. From his years of clinical experience, he describes the nature of loneliness, provides concrete steps toward meaningful connections, and encourages participants each step along the way, all from a biblical worldview. The workbook is an aid both for those wrestling with isolation as well as those leading others through the process.
Dr. Mark Mayfield is a former pastor, award-winning author, speaker, leadership coach, counselor and professor. He has extensive experience in executive leadership as the former founder and CEO of Mayfield Counseling Centers, a 501c3 non-profit in Colorado Springs that serves over 25,000 appointments a year. Dr. Mayfield is an executive leadership coach, helping churches and organizations navigate the complexities of their mental and emotional health. Mayfield is also the author of several books, including “The Path Out of Loneliness: Finding and Fostering Connection to God, Ourselves and One Another.” He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at CCU and is the Director of Practice and Ministry Development and Editor of “Marriage & Family: A Christian Journal” with AACC.
AACC is committed to encouraging, strengthening, and serving Christian mental health professionals, including licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, marriage and family therapists, addictions counselors, and counselors, as well as Christian life and mental health coaches, pastors, lay counselors and the community at large. In addition, AACC is on a mission to help the church worldwide become more caring and mental health-friendly, as they seek to champion spiritual practices and spirituality within mental health care. AACC also hosts the biennial World Conference and the Mega National Christian Counseling and Coaching Conference to help men and women grow in their faith and counseling journey.
AACC’s Light University offers educational programs ranging from certification courses to continuing education for counselors and those wanting to become Christian counselors and coaches.
AACC Publishing is the publishing arm of the American Association of Christian Counselors, offering resources that are both clinically excellent and distinctively Christian for its members and the community of care at large. AACC Publishing features books and resources from leading Christian mental health professionals and renowned ministry leaders. The publishing arm of the AACC provides a broad range of resources from devotionals, workbooks, training manuals and professional mental health resources featuring cutting-edge research on issues in mental health care.
###
To interview a representative from the American Association of Christian Counselors, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Jeff Tolson, ext. 108.
