BIBLICAL COUNSELING

 
 

The form of counseling that I practice is called biblical counseling— specifically rooted in the teaching and training of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) and Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS).

What is biblical counseling? David Powlison, the late Executive Director of CCEF and former WTS professor, once gave me this answer: "Biblical counseling is just this: an intentional conversation between a person of wisdom and a person who is suffering, rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ." I agree with Dr. Powlison. Biblical counseling isn't a form of therapeutic magic. It isn't self-help. It isn't wellness coaching. Biblical counseling is a rich, robust, and heart-transformative back-and-forth conversation between a counselor and a hurting individual, couple, or group. I use the Bible to enlighten both the content of my counsel and the methodology according to which I practice. I believe that the Bible speaks into every area of our lives, particularly the painful areas. While God's Word is not an instruction manual on how to handle every possible scenario in life, it ultimately points us to a relationship with Jesus Christ, the one who also suffered, walks with us in the midst of our suffering, and promises to one day heal all things and make them new. It is in the context of this relationship with Jesus that I believe you can experience lasting change.

 
 
 
 

WILL I JUST READ BIBLE VERSES TO YOU?

 
 

No. Throwing out trite Bible verses and cliched Christian lingo is not my approach. I want to address people holistically with my counseling- the physiological, emotional, mental, psychological, social, and spiritual components that make people so wonderfully complex. This can't be done with isolated biblical snippets and unhelpful Christian platitudes.

 
 
 
 

WHAT COUNSELING ISSUES DO I ADDRESS?

 
 

While every counselor has his or her area(s) of particular expertise, biblical counselors like myself are trained to address a host of issues. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Addiction

  • Anger

  • Anxiety

  • Communication

  • Conflict Resolution

  • Dating

  • Depression

  • Emotional Abuse

  • Family of Origin

  • Fear

  • Financial Stewardship

  • Grief

  • Guilt

  • Identity

  • Interpersonal Boundaries

  • Marriage

  • OCD

  • Premarital Preparation

  • Relationships

  • Sexual Issues

  • Shame

  • Spiritual Abuse

  • Spiritual Doubt

  • Spiritual Growth

  • Trauma

  • Vocational Discernment

 
 
 
 

AM I AGAINST MEDICATION?

 
 

Not necessarily. On the one hand, no form of medication will solve the deepest problems of the human heart. However, I believe that God has given us doctors and medicine as gifts of common grace to help our physical bodies perform optimally in times of acute suffering. If you are interested in taking medication in combination with robust biblical counseling, we can have a conversation to decide if this is a wise choice. If together we deem it to be wise, I can refer you to a trusted psychiatrist or physician.

 
 
 
 

DO YOU HAVE TO BE A CHRISTIAN?

 
 

No. You certainly do not have to be a Christian to come in for counseling. However, issues of faith will likely be addressed in our sessions together. 

 
 
 
 

SISTER MINISTRIES