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My Counseling Philosophy
As you have probably noticed, I am a Christian. While I do not have all the answers, I know the One who does. I believe in the power of prayer and spending time in God’s Word. Together, I will help you develop your own support network and skills for dealing with life’s challenges, as well as help you discover the importance of establishing lasting relationships with other people who are growing and moving in a positive, healing direction.
If you are a Christian, you will find that the counseling you receive will line up with Biblical principles and will incorporate aspects of Biblical counseling -- such as prayer, Bible study and quiet time. We will often refer to the Bible for guidance and to encourage growth in the spiritual aspects of your life.
If you do not have a faith orientation, you will benefit from having a counselor/coach who is firmly grounded in values, morality and respect for humankind. You can expect your sessions to include basic values of respect, dignity and care. Having the faith perspective brought into the counseling is at your discretion and request.
"Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12, New Living Translation © 1996 Tyndale Charitable Trust
I see the counseling relationship as one of respect, trust and safety where new skills can be learned, explored and practiced. The counseling relationship is a journey, and my role is to be your guide and navigator. Based on our work together, we’ll come up with a plan that best fits you, and what you want to accomplish. As your guide, I will point out things that you may not notice: thoughts, ideas, and viewpoints you may never have considered before. And you decide the speed at which we progress: sometimes faster and other times slower.
My basic counseling philosophy is reintroducing hope and possibilities back into your life. All of us have the ability to survive all sorts of difficult circumstances through different coping mechanisms, but sometimes, our coping mechanisms can cause challenges later in life. These challenges may show themselves in a variety of ways: relationship problems, low self esteem, feelings of guilt and shame, financial problems, addictions or other self-destructive behaviors. Talking to an objective third party, like a professional and caring counselor can help us sort out all that is going on in and clarify our values. We can then figure out what action we need to take to improve our situation.
My passion is helping women find peace and contentment so they may enjoy healthy relationships and be all that God has created them to be.
My Core Values/Beliefs
As a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, I affirm my agreement with their Doctrinal Statement:
“We Believe….
In one God, creator and sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally co-existing in three persons-Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments are the inspired, inerrant, and trustworthy Word of God, the complete revelations of His will for the salvation of human beings, and the final authority for all matters about which it speaks.
That human nature derives from two historical persons, male and female, created in God’s image. They were created perfect, but they sinned, plunging themselves and all human beings into sin, guilt, suffering and death.
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That the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ and His bodily resurrection provide the only ground for justification, forgiveness and salvation for all who believe, and only those who trust in Him alone are born of the Holy Spirit, are true members of the Church, and will spend eternity with Christ.
That the Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration and renewal for believers in Jesus Christ, that He makes the presence of Jesus Christ real in believers, and that He comforts, guides, convicts and enables believers to live in ways that honor Him.
That ministry to persons acknowledges the complexity of humans as physical, psychological, social and spiritual beings. The ultimate goal of Christian counseling is to help others move to personal wholeness, interpersonal competence, mental stability and spiritual maturity."
Education & Experience
I am a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor. I have earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Education in Counseling from Northern Arizona University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Professional Counseling from Ottawa University.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Arizona. I have also done postgraduate studies at Rio Salado College, and Western Bible College. I am also a Certified Professional Coach.
As a life long learner, I participate in seminars and workshops on a regular basis to keep my skills and knowledge up to date. Additionally, I maintain professional memberships with a variety of organizations including:
- American Association of Christian Counselors
- AACC Marriage & Family Network
- Arizona Counseling Association
- Christian Association for Psychological Studies
- Christian Care Network
- New Life Ministries
- Peace And Safety in the Christian Home
I also facilitate speaking engagements, workshops and educational seminars on a variety of topics such as Boundaries, Fair Fighting 101, Healthy Communication, Dealing with Difficult People and Mediation.
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