INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

COMMON TOPICS

Counseling for your specific needs

TRAUMA RECOVERY COUNSELING

During the course of life we all experience painful situations. These situations often fall into one of the following categories:

Trauma: a situation outside the range of typical human experience that is acutely distressing to almost anyone.

Loss: often refers to the loss of life, but also includes other types of loss such as talents, abilities, dreams, careers, and relationships. 

Crisis: a crucial time that overwhelms and immobilizes a person, leading to a turning point for either opportunity or despair.

Some goals of Christian counseling for trauma are:

• Processing trauma-related memories and emotions.

• Understanding and managing strong feelings.

• Learning to build connected, trusting relationships.

• Experiencing hope, comport, and joy despite the past. 

• Getting back to a life that is fulfilling and made new in Christ.

If you’ve suffered a traumatic experience, Christian counseling offers you a place to embrace the many promises of Christ and experience refuge in the Lord.

ANXIETY & STRESS COUNSELING

It’s common to worry from time to time, but what happens if it doesn’t stop? Anxiety can be described as inner turmoil produced by ongoing worry. It’s often focused on something bad happening, even if evidence shows otherwise. The english word for worry means to strangle or choke. It produces a suffocating feeling of self-doubt so extreme that one believes there is no way out.

Symptoms of Anxiety:

• Uncontrollable thoughts, worry, or fear.

• Feeling of dread, or impending danger.

• Racing heartbeat.

• Feeling suffocated or dizzy.

• Feeling powerless.

• Trouble concentrating.

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If you’re struggling with anxiety, there is hope. The key to overcoming anxiety is addressing the negative thoughts that are overwhelming your mind. Feelings come from thoughts and thoughts are influenced by beliefs. Establishing your beliefs in Christ and transforming your thoughts will greatly impact your mood. Learning to think positively, realistically and redemptively will help you overcome anxiety. 

Counseling is an excellent tool for those looking to change the way they think. We combine tools with teachings, healing, and patience of Christ for maximum results, even for those who were disappointed with counseling in the past. Should you require medication to get the results you need, we can offer  referrals to providers who can help with that, too.

DEPRESSION COUNSELING

Feeling sad is normal, but sometimes it can feel as though it takes over our lives. Depression can be caused by many things. In some cases there could be a biological reason, although in many cases, depression comes from negative thinking patterns. Feelings are influenced by thoughts and thoughts are connected with beliefs. Negative thoughts emerge from parts of us that hold false beliefs that are contrary to what is true.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Insomnia or excessive sleeping

• Difficulty concentrating and memory problems

• Fatigue

• Feeling of hopelessness

• Irritability

• Loss of interest in hobbies and low motivation

• Overeating or loss of appetite

• Persistent aches, headaches, and digestive issues

• Thoughts of suicide

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Many people battle depression without getting the help they need. Depression can be a distressing thing if you are a person of faith. Sometimes we may think "If I'm a Christian, I am supposed to be full of hope and joy - how come I feel this way?" You are not alone, and your depression does not minimize your faith. You can find healing with God's help and directive. 

Counseling will help you address these negative thought patterns that are causing you to struggle and help you experience life from a new perspective. We will join you as you heal and find peace, happiness, and fulfillment by with faith in Jesus Christ.

GRIEF & LOSS COUNSELING

It’s common to experience loss in live and it normal to struggle with strong, painful emotions. But, what many don’t realize is that how we deal with grief and loss is something we learn, whether through personal experience or watching the actions of others. If you feel stuck in grief and cannot escape feelings of sadness, emptiness, fear, or feel unable to move forward with your life, then Christian grief counseling can help you learn how to recover from grief by working through your unique experiences and methods of dealing with loss.

Stages of Grief: While grief experiences are unique to the individual and situation, some common symptoms may be recognized.

Shock & Denial: 

The initial stage of shock and denial help a person survive intense emotions in the moment, with an affect similar to physical numbing. If the loss was unexpected, it can cause feelings of unbelief and leave the grieving person feeling numb. Denial becomes a challenge when a person does not transition through other stages in the grieving process. When you’re in denial about loss, you try to convince yourself or others the situation hasn’t happened or isn’t permanent.

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The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Anger, Bargaining, and Blame:

Anger is a common and normal component of the grieving process. Some people may lash out at others for no apparent reason.  For example, if a man loses his wife or child in a car accident, he may blame people in the other car for his family members death or even blame God for allowing the event to happen. In some situations, a survivor may blame the person who died for leaving or abandoning them.  Anger and bargaining are normal parts of the grief process. To avoid the risk of harming other relationships, it’s important to release emotions in a healthy way. Feelings of anger must be admitted and owned before the forgiveness process can be effective.

Bargaining is sometimes a way of trying to prevent permanent loss by “making a deal” with God or others.  A person who is at risk of losing a home or job may try to bargain with the bank for more time to get current. It’s an attempt to prevent the loss or regain what was lost. Although bargaining may take on a spiritual appearance, it’s actually an attempt to avoid facing the pain and reality of loss.

Blame is closely related to anger and may be a personal defense for not coming to terms with the true focus of their anger.

Guilt:

Once the feelings of shock and anger subside, many people begin to experience feelings of pain, regret, and sadness. This may include a sense of survivors guilt, asking, “why didn’t this happen to me?” They may feel like they could have done something to prevent the loss from happening. Feelings of extreme guilt can become paralyzing and may take on the form of false guilt as self-punishment. 

Sadness & Hopelessness:

The reality of sadness is a normal part of the grieving process. The intense emotions need to be processed through expression, which can take on many forms. Important dates such as anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays can trigger new levels of sadness, but don’t have to be viewed as something to avoid. 

Acceptance:

Along the journey of grieving, it’s important to intentionally remember and celebrate the important moments and special times with had. Our goal is not to forget, yet rather to embrace the beauty of the relationship we once had, including its impact on our lives. 

As shock, guilt, denial, blame, and sadness begin to fade, acceptance brings a hopefulness for the future in spite of the loss. It also brings closure to that chapter in life while accepting that life will to some degree always be effected or redirected by the loss.

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"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

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CAREER COUNSELING

Are you experiencing work-related pressure? Do you wish you could grow in your professional life, but you’re not sure where to start or which steps to take? We help working people who desire to move forward in their career, manage job-related stress factors, interact more positively with colleagues, balance work and family responsibilities, and more.

​Career challenges:

• Navigating conflicts and change

• Managing stress

• Maintaining integrity in the workplace

• Growing in servant leadership

• Advancing in your career in a God-honoring way

• Balancing family and work life

• Establishing healthy time management routines

• Finding fulfillment in your work

DEPENDENCY / SUBSTANCE COUNSELING

For many who struggle with substance abuse and dependency, admitting that there is a problem can be challenging. It often feels like an impossible journey of rehabilitation. Taking this first and often difficult step takes a lot of courage. We are here to help you walk on the waters of faith, so you can lean on Christ for healing – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Struggling with dependency often feels like hopelessness, desperation, and loneliness for both the user and their family. There is hope for a way out of this dark time. We strive to follow God’s example by providing those struggling with a safe, non-judgmental space for support and healing.

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Signs and symptoms of chemical dependency include:

• Using drugs and/or alcohol on a regular basis.

• Need for increased use to get same effects.

• Withdrawal symptoms if you decrease or stop using the substance.

• Lying about how much you are using or drinking.

• Avoiding family and friends.

• Believing you need substances to have fun.

• Taking unnecessary risks while under the influence.

• Getting into legal trouble related to drugs or alcohol.

• Poor work performance due to substance use.

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If you feel trapped by drugs and/or alcohol, Christian counseling for chemical dependency can lead you on a path of self-discovery, growth, and recovery. We can also provide referrals to both residential and intensive outpatient services in the community. 

SPIRITUAL COUNSELING

Many people have questions and concerns in regards to their faith. Our desire is to help you navigate spiritual struggles in order to experience the abundant Christian life.

Benefits of Christian counseling for spiritual issues:

• Understand how your unique past formed how you see and do life today.

• Uncover false beliefs and learn truth about your identity in Christ.

• Explore a deeper understanding of who God is and how he relates to you.

• Walk through the process of surrender and forgiveness.

• Experience a renewed connection in your relationship with God

• Enjoy a life characterized by true peace and inner joy.

RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING

Most people desire happy, healthy relationships, but unfortunately, endless problems often get in the way. While relationships take two people, individual counseling can help approaching challenges with a new motivation.

Common concerns in relationships:

- Communication issues

- Conflict resolution

- Parenting

- Finances

- Goal setting

- Spiritual connectedness

- Restoring intimacy and trust

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We will do everything possible to help your relationship heal, grow, and thrive. 

ANGER MANAGEMENT COUNSELING

Anger is a powerful emotion that we all face from time to time. While anger is a normal, natural emotion, sometimes it's expressed in damaging ways.

Many things can trigger anger, including stress, family problems, and financial issues. When experiencing persistent anger, it might seem like the people around you are too sensitive, that your anger is justified, or that you need to show your fury to get respect. Unfortunately, this type of thinking most likely won't solve your symptoms.

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Symptoms of anger management issues include:

• Persistent feelings of frustration towards yourself and others.

• Struggle enjoying life, including time with others.

• Short-temper or quick to anger in situations which don't warrant such intensity.

• Physical signs include headaches, rapid breathing, nausea, and pounding heart.

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We're committed to helping you uncover some of the root issues influencing your anger, learn new methods to process in a healthy manner, and experience freedom from the often repetitive reactions that cause conflict in your life.

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