Counseling seeks to answer the questions: “How do problems arise?” and “How do people change?” Our philosophy is an answer to those questions.
How do problems arise?
This is ultimately a question about sin and suffering. We believe the Fall (Genesis 1-3) is the root cause of both our sin and suffering. With the Fall, sin entered a perfect world and corrupted God’s relationship with man. Suffering entered a perfect world and has touched everything good, including our own bodies, other people, our culture, our work, and much more. However, as Christians we know that the Fall is only the beginning of the story. The Fall affects everything, but we can have hope in our suffering and strength in our weakness because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How do people change?
Change happens as a result of God’s gracious covenant with his people that promises, “I will never leave nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). God has promised and provided hope even while we groan under the weight of sin and suffering. It is fully made possible through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. When Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly,” (John 10:10) he is affirming that abundant life on earth is possible through a growing relationship with him. It is in the context of this relationship with Jesus that we believe you can experience lasting change.
However, we know that things are not fully as they should be. Sin and suffering continue to mingle, making relationships difficult, making sinful patterns tempting, and making addiction and the abuse of power a reality. As Christians, we have both the promise of abundant life here and now combined with the reality that in this world we will suffer.
Our counseling philosophy is born out of an affirmation that help and hope are available to us today. We won't follow a script or just throw isolated Bible verses or trite Christian platitudes at you. Instead, we will aim to know you accurately, meaningfully, and compassionately, and then connect your story to God's great story of redemption and love. We will walk with you in humility in light of your unique struggles, brokenness, suffering and pain, as well as your unique gifting, strengths, and personality.