Biblical and Christian Counseling in 33830: Bartow, FL.

For 25 years I was a gospel songwriter. My father was a psychiatrist and a Christian. That being said, it is important to note I don't have an agenda nor am I preachy. You can be yourself without fear of judgment. Though I am well trained in this field, I am also very cognizant that many of you may have wounded in a religious setting. I respect your faith and denominational differences. I have also been a student of man world religions and hope that you will find counseling from this perspective to help you enjoy your life, in abundance until it overflows. God wants you to prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers. That trinity is the same image you were created.

I am a born-again Christian. As a Christian and a mental health therapist, I understand how important it is to have a Christian counselor. As a Christian therapist, I provide counseling from a Biblical perspective without judging you. Just because you are a Christian doesn't mean you don't suffer from depression, anxiety, stress, and interpersonal issues.

As a Christian who wanted a Christian counselor but felt shut off when I sought counseling years ago, I understand the importance of having a therapist who understands Christianity is not simply an activity on Sundays and Wednesdays. I offer evidence-based practices integrated in biblical principles. It is my position that God's Word references many skills taught in cognitive behavior therapy. The Bible tells us to bear each other's burdens, to guard our hearts, to seek truth, to set appropriate boundaries, and to practice assertive communication. The approach I use is biblical, not denominational. I am also a certified Christian life coach.

I am absolutely nothing without my relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship motivates everything I do. I believe there are issues that can only be solved through a relationship with Christ; however, I believe we can sometimes over spiritualize things. With my pastoral background combined with my training as a counselor, we can develop together a practical yet biblical way to address your concerns and struggles. I will also never force my biblical views and convictions on anyone including my clients.

At LEAPS learning a client’s spiritual history, faith preferences, and commitments is a critical assessment priority. We adopt a systematic protocol to gather religious information. A clinical spiritual assessment is conducted prior to the implementation of any prescribe treatment approach, thereby achieving consistently favorable outcomes. For example, we use the FICA tool: faith, importance, community, and address • Do you consider yourself a person of faith and how would you describe your faith tradition? • What importance does your faith have in your life? • Are you a member of a local church or faith community? • How would you like me to address these spiritual matters? Simply unique!

In 1997, on the way to City Hall to obtain a business license as Master of Arts of Christian Counselor, I thought I should have a "name for the business" and the words "Wise Counsel" popped into my mind. My next thought was, "Well, MaryAnn, That's kind of ostentatious." Then I "heard," "It's okay, it's in the Bible." - Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel - Years later completing BA Psychology and MA Counseling to become a LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor and CAP - Certified Addictions Professional - counseling to assist others has always been about seeking "Wise Counsel" from God & His plans Jeremiah 29:11.

It is important for Christians to understand that belief in Christ does not eliminate the stress, problems, failures or conflicts of life. Seeking help from a Christian counselor permits you to strengthen your resolve when your faith is tested. It helps you combine the mental health tools with truths of the Bible to help you deal with the hardships in your life in a manner that does not conflict with the Bible. In other words, Christian counseling helps you resolve your mental health issues and strengthen your faith.