Thursday, March 15, 2018

The first few months... why counseling?

In December as I was writing my initial post about Beacon I did not know what to expect with this ministry...here is where I am so far!

These first 2 months have been full and refreshing!  One area I work with is Light Up The Dark. As 2017 came to a close, we rolled out the Light House Initiative and we hit the ground running.  What an awesome God we have and how He has in His timing brought people and opportunities to us. It blesses my socks off!  The group of individuals I get to work closely with each week is amazing!  If you have not seen much about the Light House initiative, check out either the website or this video.  It is exciting to watch and be a part of it.

Another area Beacon will be heavily involved is Operation Restore,  this part of Light Up The Dark focuses on ways we can share light in our community!    Heather and I are looking into options for a Recovery Group to meet here in Sterling, hopefully starting in May.  I am also interested in starting a Grief and Loss group.
As for Beacon, I have been busy.  I started seeing people the end of January and that has been a blessing and confirmation that I am where God can use me.

Why Counseling?
Sometimes people ask me, why should I see a counselor? Here are some thoughts:
We are created for relationship.  There is something powerful that happens when there is a safe and open place to share thoughts and feelings. Often people can be helped by family and friends or others like a teacher, pastor, coach, mentor...all of these people can be crucial when dealing with hard life circumstances or hurts.  Here are some clues when seeking an outside source, like a counselor, might be helpful:
  • You are stuck, even though you have tried to talk it out with friends/ family.
  • It is private and your are not comfortable sharing all of it without confidentiality. Guilt, shame, embarrassment can keep us from sharing with people we know.
  • Others have suggested you get outside help.
  • What you are dealing with feels bigger than what friends or family can help with (for example you are scared to let them know how bad you are really feeling).
 The counseling relationship is different because it is not a two sided relationship.  You do not have to ask me how I'm doing or be worried if I have had a rough day.  My goal is always to not just hear you, but to really hear you.  To listen to not just your words, but your body, your emotions and your heart/ soul. You know you way better than I do, so I let you tell me about you and your experiences. That way I can get a good sense of where you are coming from, what might be missing, what we have to work with and where you want to go. I firmly believe that people are doing the best they can with what they have to deal with and with what they have to give.  We check judgement at the door and deal with what is.  And go from there.

Why a fee?
As a Christian Counselor I sometimes feel like I should "just help people" without a fee. I do that when a person is without means to pay.  However, it costs me money to get training, belong to associations that provide continuing education and it costs to run a business.  I am committed to keeping my fees  reasonable without undercutting any of the other local counselors. I also think it helps to pay for what you are getting.  You are more invested that way and it keeps us on track. We set goals and steps for attaining them. However, if you know someone who needs help, but does not have means to pay. Do not hesitate to refer them to me.  We may be able to offer scholarship money for services or offer services through Light Up The Dark. 
God bless!