Individual Counseling:

Obviously this is counseling where you as an individual come in to work through your issues at hand.  However you will be encouraged, over time, to begin to share your story with others (within your own life).  This would be things you’ve learned, experienced and freedoms you have attained.  This is an important step for anyone coming to a healthy place within the community that Christ has given us.  However, this is absolutely your choice and deciding if, when and what to share is fully up to each individual client. 

Premarital Counseling:

I believe that God uses marriage to give us freedom from wounds in our hearts that we might not be aware of before marriage.  Because of this, I do a unique set of 8 to 12 sessions (depending on the work being done) for premarital counseling.  This is where a couple will begin to see the very things that drew them together are often the very source of frustration and pain within the context of marriage.  Over the 8 or so weeks, couples will begin to learn some of their story, some of their wounds and how these things could affect their marriage in the end.  This is not intended to fix issues, but to help you know what is likely to be the issue after you marry and how to begin to pursue each others hearts in deeper ways before you get to the alter.  Things not covered in this counseling:  who takes out the trash, who does the checkbook, who does the laundry and who is responsible for what!!! 

Too, this type of premarital can be done anywhere along the timeline after engagement, the further away from the wedding day the more practice will occur within the relationship before your wedding day. 

Marital Counseling:

As I stated in the premarital section, I believe God uses marriage to help us find freedom from things in our hearts that we did not know were there.  For example, an angry man will generally choose a very passive wife and a passive woman will choose a “powerful” (angry) man.  Something in this arrangement, before marriage, brings each person’s heart to rest.  However, it is this very thing that God will use to create turmoil in the marriage in order to bring to the surface things that have been long undealt with issues.  The angry man will soon be frustrated with his weak wife who never chooses, asks or longs for anything.  She will always feel trapped by his anger and powerfulness, so she will remain hidden.  Neither person will experience the intended messy intimacy that makes His invitation in marriage so amazing. 

The intent with every marital session is not to “fix” a partner but to allow each individual in the marriage the ability to personally grow with Him towards a more sacrificial love for each other.  (see side bar)

Wilderness Adventure Ministry/Church Retreats:

“Topical” Wilderness Adventures will be offered randomly throughout the year or Mike can be asked to lead a group if you are putting together your own group to go out on a backpacking trip.  Lengths/Places to Hike/Fees are all variable depending on various factors. 

Church retreats are also available from GBC and fees are charged or waived depending on church size/financial ability to pay, length and location etc.