Do you spend a lot of time worrying about other people – you spouse, your child, a sibling? Are you trying desperately to live out Galatians 6:2 – without the results you’re hoping for?
Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Our efforts to help others heal and grow – though well-intentioned – often have little effect on someone else’s bad behavior. In trying to do good, we sometimes get confused about our role in the lives of others. We forget Galatians 6:3-5 –
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.
If you’d like some help in sorting it out, give us a call. We’re here to help.
Have you ever had a vague feeling that you were missing something important? If so, you’re not alone. A lot of people are depressed about the past or anxious about the future.
Interestingly, either of those positions can get you stuck in a place where you’re missing the here-and-now. And if your “present” isn’t pleasant, you can see why you’re avoiding it, can’t you? We can, and we’re here to help.
If food were the solution, she wouldn’t still feel sad, afraid, empty, and alone.
The solution can only be found when the girl with the eating disorder is ready to face her fears and call Satan on his lie by telling him “It’s not about the food.”
I know, and I’m here to help. Just give me a call.
Sometimes life is difficult, and you need a safe place to talk things through – a place where your faith is taken seriously.
As a Christian, you probably know the principles found in Scripture. But you may be having a hard time putting them into practice. God’s solutions to life’s problems are simple. But they’re not always easy to put into practice.
Our life experiences—both past and present—play a significant role in how we attempt to live out our Christian beliefs. Professional Christian Counseling can help you sort out the issues that may be keeping you stuck and help you strengthen your faith in the process.
Shouldn’t I talk to my Pastor? What’s the difference between a Pastoral Counselor and a Professional Christian Counselor?
Yes. However, if your concerns cannot be addressed in one or two meetings, he will probably refer you to a Pastoral Counselor or to a Professional Christian Counselor.
A Pastoral Counselor is someone who ministers to people who request counseling in church and para-church contexts. Pastoral Counseling is usually short-term and focused on a particular problem or concern. Pastoral Counselors are trained in relationship building skills and are knowledgeable about recognizing when there is a need to make a referral to a Professional Christian Counselor. Much of what they do includes a focus on life transitions and building small communities within a church ministry.
A Professional Christian Counselor has been formally trained in practical theology, as well as in the professional diagnosis and treatment of a variety of concerns such as:
Adjustment Disorders
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Anxiety and Stress
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Complicated Bereavement
Depression and Mood Disorders
Eating Disorders
Impulse-Control Disorders
Personality Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Learning Disorders
Relationship Difficulties
If your faith is an important part of your life, you want someone who actually applies biblical principles in his or her work, not a professional counselor who just happens to be a Christian. That’s a potentially important distinction. So you’ll want to ask your Counselor about how he or she typically integrates faith and practice in counseling sessions.
Would you like to talk to a counselor who really understands (and cares) about what you’re going through right now? Are you looking for ways to get your life on track? Then you’ll definitely want to meet Ylena Parks!
Ylena knows from experience that life circumstances can take us down the road in directions we hadn’t anticipated. However, she believes that:
The steps of a good man are guided by the Lord and He delights in His way;
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down,
For the Lord will uphold him with His hand. ~Psalm 37:23-24
Her passion is to fulfill God’s calling “to exhort and support His body, and those who don’t know Him, through the process of healing just as He has done for me” (2 Corinthians 1:14).
Ylena is a prelicensed professional counselor. She earned her Master of Arts (MA) in Community and Clinical Counseling from Eastern University. She is currently a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (IMF53028), and is supervised by Dr. Smith (PSY21711). Appointments:
Ylena offers counseling services for adults, children, and families in Southern California. If you would like to meet with her, you may schedule a confidential appointment now using our Appointment Calendar.
Stronger marriages build stronger communities. The PREPARE/ENRICH Program enables facilitators to identify a couple’s specific strength and growth areas, teach them communication and conflict resolution skills, and help them resolve key relationship issues.
After completing the training, the seminar participant will be able to:
Describe the value of PREPARE/ENRICH and online assessment to couples.
Use the online system for administering, reviewing, and printing relevant materials.
Fully understand and accurately interpret the Facilitator’s Report.
Discuss the results of the assessment and provide feedback to couples.
Use the couple exercises to teach relationship building skills.
Recognize serious couple distress more effectively and know when to refer a couple for professional help.
Date: January 23, 2010 Day: Saturday Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Seminar Director:Dr. Debi Smith Location: Biola University Who May Attend: pastoral counselors/clergy/chaplains, marriage educators, relationship coaches, marriage mentors, lay counselors, deacons/elders, adoption/foster care workers, professional counselors, and counselors in training Cost: $175 Registration Deadline: January 7, 2010
Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to stay in the present and set your eyes upon Jesus? Much of our time is spent looking behind at our past – “I wish I would have done …”, “I should have said …”, “What was I thinking…?” – or ahead to the future – “I [...] […]
“What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” ~ Luke 18:41 Have you ever wondered why, despite your being aware of a particular issue you may have in your life, you have [...] […]
What if you could start your marriage with more answers than questions? Your marriage is one of the most important and satisfying relationships you’ll every have. And like any quality relationship, to get a lot out of it, you have to put a lot into it. A successful marriage takes an investment of time, effort, and [...] […]
As marriages progress, though, something terrible happens sometimes. Because coping with our differences can be so hard, or because we deeply hurt each other emotionally along the way, or because of the stresses of life or career or parenting pull us in different directions, we adjust by withdrawing from our spouses and start setting up separate lives. […]
Yea! You have no principal to deal with. No one else’s bratty kids (pretty much just your own). You have a flexible schedule. You choose what you teach, how, and pretty much when. Your facilities are much nicer than the average teacher’s. You’re in no danger of ever being fired. You’re the administrator. But you’re […] […]
Our goal is to provide the information you’re looking for. So we’ve put together a very, very brief survey, and would greatly appreciate your participation. Click here to take survey. […]
All information provided is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for a professional evaluation or treatment. If you are experiencing emotional distress, please contact a mental health professional. If you are looking for a Christian Mental Health Professional, please search our Directory. We post all the information we have, so you will need to contact the therapists directly if you'd like to know more.
You don’t say much. You don’t know what to say. You wish she’d just let it go, but she never does for long. You told her you were sorry. What more does she want? Every time she brings up the subject, you go silent … or leave the room. You try your best to stay [...] […]
He’s so distant, and you don’t understand why. Most of the time, he doesn’t even respond to you, and trying to communicate with him is like talking to a brick wall. When you ask him what’s wrong, he mumbles “nothing” … or just ignores you. If you press him to talk to you, he gets [...] […]
As a couples therapist, I’ve had a lot of opportunity to observe how hard women work at their relationships. When something’s wrong, it’s the woman who notices it and wants to talk about it – to figure out what’s wrong and fix the problem. Here’s an example of a frequent complaint from our Relationship Survey: [...] […]
Whatever your relationship status, our mission is to help you figure out and enjoy the men in your life. Join us in this live, interactive workshop conducted over the phone. Understanding the Men in Your Life with Dr. Debi Smith *FREE Tele-Conference: Friday, May 1 @ 12:00 – 1:00 (PDT) What is a Tele-Conference? Just [...] […]
Have you ever let your anger get the best of you? Debra Barone (of the TV series “Everybody Loves Raymond”) is forever frustrated with her husband, Ray. And it’s no wonder. He’s forever doing dumb stuff. Even so, she’s not very supportive. She not only criticizes him (like his mother does), she also puts him [...] […]
by Tyler I’m just going to start writing and see what happens. My name is Tyler, and I am the youngest of three boys. We are each incredibly different and would belong in very few of the boxes that have been made for men to hang out in. My oldest brother, Andy is a sensitive, [...] […]
Sue’s Question: My boyfriend and I have been arguing a lot lately. He just doesn’t get it. Nothing gets resolved, and I am so frustrated with him! Now when I try to bring the issue up, he just ignores me. I can’t get him to talk at all! Why does he just sit there? Dr. [...] […]
by Christen I guess I knew they were always different! Or did I? This is probably what really peaked my interest in the psychology of men. I have numerous personal stories in my life experiences that have helped to foster this interest. As far back as I can remember I have always been fascinated by [...] […]