Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Swanzi Saunders has released a new book that merges therapeutic expertise with spiritual guidance for those navigating depression. "Still Becoming: A Therapist's Sacred Journey through Depression" draws from Saunders' decades of clinical experience and personal journey through clinical depression, offering what she describes as a "sacred unfolding" rather than a quick solution. The book serves as both memoir and guide, with Saunders using her dual perspective as both therapist and someone who has experienced depression firsthand.
As a former church pastor and spiritual leader, she integrates faith-based approaches with psychological understanding, creating what she calls a "spiritually rooted" path to healing. The work emphasizes that recovery involves "silence, surrender, and finally healing" rather than immediate resolution. Saunders notes that her own experience with depression occurred at a time when she had "no access to clinical help," which informs her compassionate approach to others on similar journeys. The book's central message reassures readers they are not alone in their struggles, with Saunders stating that "connection is one of the places where God loves to dwell" and that "God gets it—and He sees you."
Rather than focusing on reaching a specific destination, "Still Becoming" encourages readers to "start from where you are, not from where you think you 'should' be." Saunders emphasizes that "true healing begins when we speak the truth," framing the recovery process as one of gradual transformation through "grace, faith, hope, and the gradual return of light and life." The book has already received positive feedback from readers across the United States, according to the announcement.
Published through Lucid Books, an independent hybrid publisher in the Houston area, the work represents Saunders' debut publication. Lucid Books describes itself as offering "the connections and expertise of a traditional publisher with the author involvement of a self-publisher" through its partnership model. For mental health professionals and individuals alike, the book's integration of clinical insight with spiritual perspective offers an alternative approach to depression treatment.
By sharing her personal journey alongside professional knowledge, Saunders aims to create what she describes as "both personal and universally resonant" content that can "educate, support and inspire" those facing similar challenges. This approach matters because it addresses the holistic needs of individuals experiencing depression, recognizing that psychological and spiritual dimensions often intersect in the healing process. The book's importance lies in its potential to reach people who may feel underserved by conventional therapeutic approaches or who seek to incorporate their faith into their recovery journey.
The implications of this publication extend to both clinical practice and personal recovery, suggesting that integrating spiritual perspectives with evidence-based therapeutic approaches could enhance treatment outcomes for some individuals. Saunders' work contributes to ongoing conversations about comprehensive mental health care that acknowledges diverse pathways to healing. As depression continues to affect millions worldwide, resources that bridge different healing traditions offer valuable alternatives for those seeking recovery.
