Our Guiding Values

1) MY CHARACTER  

For the counselor, who I am is as important as what I do in counseling.  We are only as helpful as our own personal integrity, skills, knowledge, and to the degree we have gone through our own transformation (and counseling!). This also includes our individual relationship with God.

2) HIGH QUALITY CLINICAL WORK

As Licensed Counselors, we are equipped with specific clinical knowledge to carefully companion with others. This includes offering ideas, perspectives, and processes that can help with complex difficulties. We believe in this work deeply. We are always striving to be better at the work of therapy.

3) SEEKING TO FIND SELF, IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD (FAITH)  

Our understanding of God shapes how we view this world, our suffering, past tragedies, reasons for change, and more.  Whether you are a Christian, Catholic, agnostic or unsure—we understand people to be inherently spiritual, so we do not try to mute or hide this part of or our clients (or ourselves). We believe in the powerful work of Jesus life, death, and resurrection to bring healing and hope to our lives.  We do not impose personal convictions on clients but respect their beliefs, values, and decisions.

4) THE VALUE OF YOUR STORY (THE INFLUENCE OF THE PAST)  

We deeply value the personal stories of individuals, which have brought them to this present moment—with all their joys and tragedies. Understanding your story can give you explanations for your present hurts, compassion for your imperfections, and invitation to a different future. Although persons are greatly influenced by the past, we hold hope that we need not be defined by or enslaved by the past.

5) YOU AS A WHOLE PERSON  

We believe that we are wonderfully made, complex persons, created with many qualities.  We are personal, spiritual, physical, rational, emotional, moral, creative, and responsible beings.  Because of this, help may include one or many of these aspects as we seek to understand you as a whole person.

6) PRACTICAL, SPIRITUAL RESOURCES  

When desired, we can include Christian resources that are spiritual (from God) for our benefit. These are resources that the Scriptures describe will grow love, joy, and peace in the soil of our lives. These resources include the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the Spiritual Disciplines, and the local church.  Rather than being mystical or aloof, we emphasize practical ways these might inhabit your daily life & story. We understand that this may be a very new idea and area of practice for our clients.

7) THE LOCAL CHURCH  

We encourage clients to find a safe local church to invest in.  The church is, by Jesus’ definition, a loving community that practices safety, comfort, encouragement, confession, truth telling, and freedom.  Having a safe community that reminds you of your true self is a gift that extends far beyond counseling.