Interview

Q: Lucy, do you have a Scripture that speaks your heart and defines God’s purpose for your life?

A: I do. It’s this: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

The word comfort is used four times. This is no accident. Our God is a God of comfort and compassion. This means a lot to me because I’ve known trouble. Here’s an idea:

Depression. Panic attacks. Sexual abuse. Mentally ill parent. Lived in a broken home. Infertility. Addiction. A history of family alcoholism. A child diagnosed with a birth defect. Recurring negative thoughts. And more.

The best thing is that God comforted me in all my troubles, just as He promises in the verse. Now that I’ve received comfort, I give comfort. He spoke His purpose into my life and called me to counsel hurting Christian women. When I meet women at churches where I speak or visit, I see into their pain and broken hearts.

Q: Lucy, what type of counseling do you provide?

A: I counsel according to the truths of the Bible. It’s sometimes called biblical counseling or pastoral counseling or soul care. As a counselor friend says, biblical counseling is not “here’s two verses and call me in the morning.” It’s comprehensive.

Q: What do you mean by comprehensive?

A: I really get to know the women I counsel – their struggles, their hopes, where they’ve been and where they hope to go. I listen and give clear direction. Homework, too. I also use a Personal Data Inventory. This helps me know many things, including a need for a doctor’s visit.

Q: What’s your stance on medication?

A: I support the use of medication prescribed by a medical doctor. I am not a health care practitioner and thus do not prescribe medications or give medical advice.

Q: What training do you have?

A: I am a certified biblical counselor through through the Association of Certified Biblical Counsels as well as Association of Biblical Counselors. I’m also a graduate of Western Seminary, Portland, Ore., in Pastoral Care to Women and am now working toward a Doctorate of Ministry in Biblical Counseling. I am not a state-licensed “professional counselor,” however, and do not plan to be.

Q: Do you take insurance?

A. If asked, I will provide you with a form with proper diagnostic codes for you to file with your health insurance company. My fees are set at about half the typical cost of a visit to a psychotherapist. Since insurance companies usually cover mental health visits at 50 percent, my fees are comparable if not lower.

Q: Do you have any other words for hurting Christian women?

A: Get help. Jesus wants to heal you. You may feel alone or full of guilt and shame – maybe you’re scared what people would think if they knew the real you. God knows the real you, and He loves you just as you are.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus spoke the most amazing and wonderful words. Reading from Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet, he declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because he has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).

Then, he rolled up the scroll, sat down, and stated: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:200). Wow.

Are you worn down or confused by life’s troubles?

Hope has come: JESUS.

I encourage you to read the information on counseling and look over the resources, where I have many articles you may download at no cost.

Discover more about Lucy.

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