by Lucy | Mar 15, 2016 | biblical counseling, emotions, identity in Christ, relationships, thoughts
E-Counseling: An upside of the Internet you may not know.
Through e-counseling, God dazzles me with the Christian women from around the world that he has brought my way. I counsel them via Skype.
Would you like to meet a few? (Names are changed for privacy.) By the way, I offer a complimentary, 15-minute consult for you to answer your questions. Contact me to ask for your free consultation.
Stories of e-Counseling
Katie from Tanzania: A teacher originally from the Midwest, Katie works in international schools her entire adult life. She found me through Google for help with relational conflict. Among the truths she’s learning: how to communicate with difficult people in a God-honoring way. She has identified the root issue of her difficulty: people pleasing. She’s now journaling using a 5-step method. This has helped her deepen her faith and have more peace as she lines up her thoughts with God’s thoughts.
Mimi from Hong Kong: Originally from Hong Kong and who attended university in New England, Megan fell for a guy from the United Kingdom, and they wanted to marry. She sought my help because her family was against the marriage and she wanted help knowing God’s will in this situation. Our meetings over Skype sometimes included her fiancee. My counsel focused on marriage, “leaving and cleaving” (Gen. 2:24), honoring parents as an adult (Exodus 20:12), and freedom and responsibility. Their decision: to put their marriage on hold while improving communication with each other and with their families while seeking to put God first.
Sophie from Cambodia: Sophie’s missionary parents contacted me regarding their teenage daughter before the family headed to Cambodia. She was cutting, had trouble believing God loves her, and feared teen boys and men she didn’t already know. Our counseling over Skype focused of her identity in Christ and God’s purpose for her. As our counseling progressed, she shared that a family member had molested her. Her openness led to her understanding in the choices she was making so she could choose God-honoring behavior that flows from right thinking and beliefs.
What Is Skype?
Skype is a way to make video calls with your computer, tablet, or smart phone. You’ll need to download free Skype software at Skype.com in order to run Skype on your device. You’ll also need Internet access as well as a webcam and email.
Skype counseling is a convenient way to receive biblical counseling, no matter where you live. You save on cost of phone-related charges because Skype-to-Skype video calls are free. You only pay for counseling services. See my affordable fees.
The main benefits of Skype eCounseling:
~no travel
~the convenience of home
~more appointment time selections
~no geographical constraints
Would You Like a Skype Appointment?
First, contact me so I can block out an appointment for you on Appointment-Plus, the scheduling software used at Biblical Counseling Center, where I’m on staff. When you contact me, I’m need your name, email address, phone number, street address (and zip code, if you live in the U.S.), your Skype name. Haven’t used Skype? It’s easy and Skype to Skype calls are free.
You’ll need to set up an account at Skype.com. You can download a Skype app to your smartphone too. Generally, you’ll get the best quality using your desktop, laptop, or tablet. I’m glad to walk your through Skype too.
What Should You Expect?
After you
contact me, I’ll email you and and offer days and times for your initial Skype appointment. Some people prefer to begin with my free 15-minute phone consult to ask questions. Just contact me and we’ll set that up.
After each appointment I’ll email assignments to you. All counselees complete at-home assignments as part of the counseling process. The purpose of the assignments is to help you on many levels –foster hope, practice godly patterns, implement solutions, and so on.
The goal is heart change for life change, leading to peace and contentment no matter what struggles you face.
Sharing Hope with Your Heart,
by Lucy | Nov 24, 2015 | biblical counseling, emotions |
My friend Lynn Mosher asked me guest post at her website and share my passion for counseling hope to the hearts of Christian women. Like you, I’ve known heartache and healing, trials and triumph.
Are you struggling now? Contact me and get biblical hope and practical help.
Here’s part of the guest post on counseling.
A Favorite Bible Verse
What Scripture defines God’s purpose for your life?
It’s this one: “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, NIV).
The word comfort is used four times, and this is no accident. Our God is a God of comfort and compassion. This means a lot to me because I’ve known troubles:
Depression. . .Panic attacks. . .Dysfunctional home. . .Infertility. . .People-pleasing. . .A history of family alcoholism. . .Divorced and remarried parents. . .Recurring negative thoughts.
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 using a very effective method: biblical counseling.
Counseling That Works
Which counseling do you prefer?
I counsel according to biblical truth while caring with compassionate. 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, compassionate, Christ-centered, and effective.
What do you mean by comprehensive?
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.
What’s your stance on medication?
I support the use of medication prescribed by a medical doctor. Some people have organic medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, or diabetes and need medication to deal with symptoms that may look a lot like depression. Others have been described psychotropics such as SSRIs by their doctors. I discourage counselees to make changes in medication without talking first with their doctors.
In Person and By Skype?
Do you meet with your counselees in person or by Skype and other high-tech options?
Both. Some I meet face-to-face, but I counsel many counselees by Skype. With the explosion of technology, women who do not have a biblical counselor in their area can still receive hope and healing through Jesus. I’ve met many of my counselees through Twitter and Facebook.
What are the advantages to Skype counseling?
It’s highly affordable and convenient too; counselees don’t need to drive to an office. For some women, it’s more comfortable. Those who’d feel awkward or fearful in a face-to-face appointment are very willing to share over Skype.
What are the disadvantages to phone counseling?
The main one is I cannot read my counselees’ nonverbal communication. This is why I prefer counseling by Skype or FaceTime wherever possible. Women who don’t have Internet access have talked with me on their phones or tablets using free Internet at places like McDonalds, Starbucks, or their local library. For privacy some have counseled while in their cars and within range of Internet.
For More Information
If a woman is interested in finding out more, what should she do?
Contact me. You may feel alone or full of guilt and shame – maybe you’re scared. Be reassured: God loves you.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said the most amazing and wonderful thing. Reading the words of the prophet Isaiah:
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 NIV)
Are you want freedom from life’s troubles?
Hope has come: Jesus.
Counseling Hope to Your Heart,
