Biblical counseling at story church
How we can help
The purpose of this ministry is to provide spiritual care, support, encouragement, and trusted referral services in a safe and confidential environment. Support is typically on a short-term basis during times of significant need or crisis. Our counselors can help bring clarity to next steps and define priorities for emotional and spiritual growth in the context of a Biblical worldview.
God’s healing is always available to you in every season of life. We seek to create a safe, welcoming, and confidential environment where individuals and couples can address their struggles with honesty and without fear of judgment. Our Biblical counselors focus on:
• Careful listening
• Identifying underlying issues contributing to current difficulties
• Discerning faithful next steps in your healing journey
To schedule a session follow this link https://BiblicalCounsel.intakeq.com/booking
When appropriate, we also recognize the value of licensed professional counseling and other specialized care. Biblical counseling and clinical mental-health care can often complement one another. Referrals may be recommended when a person's needs extend beyond the scope of our care ministry. Click here to learn more about how Biblical counseling and clinical mental health care contrast and compare.
If you are feeling broken today, know that you wondrously positioned to begin knowing God in some new ways. His mercy, compassion and grace are available to you even as you read through this web page. He has created you with the ability to heal.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . you are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you” (Isa. 43:1–4).
* Please note: Regardless of their education, training, licensure, or expertise, our counselors do not function in a professional counseling role. We do not provide clinical mental health treatment or therapy. As such, no fees are charged.
Biblical Counseling
Though we do not provide state-licensed counseling services, we do offer a warm and caring and environment for couples and/or individuals in the process of resolving personal and/or family issues. We encourage you to use these criteria below to help you assess the best fit for your needs.
We provide care within a Biblical framework using several different approaches. We encourage you to ask questions or discuss any concerns about background and training before you proceed with Biblical counseling care. Your comfort and confidence is an important part of the healing process.
We believe both Biblical counseling and clinical counseling (state-licensed) can be helpful tools that God uses to restore people to the full functioning he desires for them. We affirm Christians serving God and receiving care in both settings.
The difference between Biblical counseling and clinical counseling (i.e., LPC, LMFT, LCSW).
Authority and accountability: As Biblical counselors, we are accountable to our local church and elder board under which we serve. A clinical counselor is ccountable to the state licensing board (e.g., LPC, LMFT, LCSW) whose credential he or she holds. The entity to which a counselor is accountable sets the standards by which that individual can practice and serves as the point of appeal if a counselee believes the counselor behaved unethically.
Diagnostic system: A clinical counselor defines the counselee’s struggle according to the criteria of the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders in order to operate in compliance with the managed care system, which allows the financial advantage for the counselee of paying for counseling through their insurance. In this sense, clinical counselors work predominantly from a perspective that counselees struggle with “mental illness” because their clinical practice is part of the healthcare system.
As Biblical counselors, we work predominantly from a perspective that the source of the counselee’s struggles are “problems in living” (i.e., beliefs and values enacted in choices and relationships) or “meaning of life” issues where temporal struggles are interpreted in light of their eternal significance. We utilize a Biblical worldview that informs the way we offer help to counselees as they navigate life struggles of sin, suffering, or identity.
Important Note: There are many clinical counselors who hold a high view of scripture and many Biblical counselors who are clinically informed. This distinction is not meant to portray either kind of care as mutually exclusive. We may suggest seeing a clinical counselor if we sense clinical care might assist us in our work together.
Values: A clinical counselor seeks to work within the value structures of each counselee and not impose their values on their client. We believe that Scripture provides the values that contribute to human flourishing because the Bible reveals God’s intent for how people and relationships were designed to function. However, you are welcome to express your doubts or concerns regarding matters of faith and religion.
Compensation: With a clinical counselor, counselees are usually able to process their counseling expenses through their insurance. As volunteer Biblical counselors we receive no compensation for the care we provide. If you wish to contribute to our operating expenses, you may do so through Story Church.
Treatment strategies: A clinical counselor works with the counselee to identify goals and selects best-practice therapeutic strategies to reach those goals based upon the leading diagnosis in the counselee’s life. We seek to help the client make practical applications of faith to the problems in living the counselee has identified. We encourage these applications to be lived out in the context of Christian community to reach the counselee’s desired goals.
Training: A clinical counselor has standardized educational and supervised experience criteria which are set by the state in which he or she practices. As Biblical counselors, each of has received specialized training according to individual preferences. Please see each counselor’s profile for the training/experience he or she has attained.
Professional cooperation: When other professionals are involved in the counselee’s life—physicians, social workers, psychiatrists, attorneys, etc.—these professionals are more accustomed to working with a clinical counselor and there may be advantages that make meeting with a clinical counselor decidedly better for the counselee. If these professionals consult with Biblical counselors, they do so more as a clergy member providing life history or a character witness than as someone providing a mental health assessment.