What is your guiding therapeutic philosophy?

Take good care of people. It is in one sense that simple. Yet life has its complications and so counseling offers the opportunity, with a caring professional, to sort feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, cooperatively set goals for success, and practice strategies to get there. People report challenges that diminish (or devastate) their capacity to live well. My philosophy is to instill hope and help clients restore not only a life worth living, but one true to their best self.

What does it mean to live more consistently from our “wise mind”?

It means that we are exercising our wisdom/living our best life; this notion has been discussed for centuries, but is recognizable even to a young person. Most of us have the experience of using our “reason mind,” neglecting our emotion or gut and living to regret things. Alternately, actions based on “emotion mind” without consulting our reason often create problems too (i.e. the satisfaction of voicing angry words). Living from our wise mind assumes a healthy balance of the rational and emotional components of our minds.

What part does spirituality play in counseling?

The human spirit is remarkable! Yet, while we have much potential, we also have limits that shape reality. Serenity is the peace of mind (wisdom) to discern the difference between what we can courageously control and alternately accept what we cannot control. Christian Counseling of Athens serves people informed by centuries of soul care and traditional understandings of Biblical teachings. We welcome all clients regardless of spiritual background, period.

Do you take insurance?

Yes, we contract with most major carriers and can file insurance claims for you. Retreats with Table in the Wilderness are not eligible for insurance reimbursement. To use insurance coverage for traditional counseling hours, please send in pictures of your card at the time of your first appointment, and be proactive about any billing-related communication you receive through the SimplePractice client portal.

Are my teletherapy sessions going to be through Zoom or FaceTime?

No, our ordinary platform for teletherapy is the website SimplePractice, which uses a proprietary video therapy setup that’s both HIPAA compliant and HITRUST certified. We are serious about your privacy, from a legal standpoint, a data security standpoint, and most of all from a moral standpoint.