Kelly Johnson, Wife of House Speaker Mike Johnson, Embraces Ancient Christian Counseling Approach to Categorizing Individuals into Divinely-Ordained Personality Types

Kelly Johnson, Wife of House Speaker Mike Johnson, Embraces Ancient Christian Counseling Approach to Categorizing Individuals into Divinely-Ordained Personality Types

Kelly Johnson, the wife of newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, had a Christian counseling service that was associated with an organization that opposes abortion and homosexuality. The counseling service was based on the teachings of the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. It is uncertain if Kelly Johnson will continue her practice, as her website became unavailable shortly after her husband assumed the position of House speaker.

Both Kelly and Mike Johnson have a strong religious background, having previously worked with religious organizations and causes supported by the religious right. Kelly Johnson is not only a counselor but also an advisor to the Louisiana Right for Life, an anti-abortion group.

Kelly Johnson specialized in temperament counseling, a field she received training for from an organization founded in the 1980s by a Christian couple. The organization, called the National Christian Counselor’s Association, emphasizes the importance of faith-based counseling outside of traditional state-licensed settings.

Temperament counseling categorizes individuals into five types: Melancholy, Choleric, Sanguine, Supine, and Phlegmatic. This approach was developed by Richard and Phyllis Arno, who based their work on Hippocrates’ belief in the existence of four temperaments.

Tim LaHaye, a controversial figure in the evangelical right, also referenced Hippocrates’ teachings in his work. LaHaye was known for his strong opposition to LGBTQ rights and his anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic writings.

The National Christian Counselor’s Association offers not only temperament testing but also a deliverance ministry, which aims to drive out demons from clients. Some Christian counseling approaches incorporate science-based methods, while others focus on pastoral guidance or faith-based models.

Kelly Johnson’s religious beliefs are not explicitly stated, but she has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Education. Her counseling was affiliated with Cypress Baptist Church, where the Johnsons attend services. The church welcomes all but adheres to the biblical definition of marriage.

The National Christian Counselor’s Association advises counselors to maintain confidentiality and obtain malpractice insurance. However, a representative from the organization did not respond to a request for comment.

Mike Johnson gained prominence in the 1990s as an advocate for “covenant marriages” and later worked as a litigator supporting school prayer and defending bans on same-sex marriage. He previously wrote columns questioning the rights of LGBT Americans. However, he now considers same-sex marriage settled law but still questions “lifestyle choices.”

In summary, Kelly Johnson, the wife of House Speaker Mike Johnson, ran a Christian counseling service affiliated with an organization that opposes abortion and homosexuality. Her counseling focused on temperament therapy, a practice rooted in the teachings of Hippocrates. The Johnsons are devoutly religious and have been involved in advocating for religious causes.