A Different Kind of Counseling or Coaching
Don't count on those self-help books to help you!
Have you browsed the self-help aisle of a bookstore (or Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com) recently? The list of titles is endless! It seems as though everyone out there has a quick fix for whatever ails you -- depression, anxiety, weight loss, weight gain, fear, worry, loss of faith, and so much more. But do they really?
“This one is on the best seller list, so it has to be good, right? That one was written by a famous [insert profession (actor, author, speaker) here]. They really know their stuff!”
“This one is on the best seller list, so it has to be good, right? That one was written by a famous [insert profession (actor, author, speaker) here]. They really know their stuff!”
Do they know you? Have they taken the time to talk to you, to gain some personal knowledge about you, so they can help you? Of course not. Those authors are writing to a mass audience, not for YOU, the individual. Many of them make promises they cannot keep, leading you to believe that there is a cure-all within those pages. Rarely is that true.
So, what are my options?
There is one book - the Holy Bible - that does have the answers, that can help you as you discern your path to spiritual wellness. And some counselors are trained to provide holistic guidance for spirituality, psychologically, and physical life and health. These individuals can help you find a way to trade a life of guilt, worry, depression, or addiction for one of freedom, joy, and peace.
Keep reading for more information about faith-based counseling.
Keep reading for more information about faith-based counseling.
Faith-based counseling offers a holistic approach to wellness.
As we discussed in the last post, spiritual, physical, and mental wellness are intertwined. Many services in our community can help you deal with feelings of anger, anxiety, depression, and more. Today, we’ll focus on Grace Fellowship International, a faith-based counseling and coaching service located here in Pigeon Forge.
From the Grace Fellowship International website:
Everyone struggles with guilt, shame, worry, doubt, depression, anxiety, fear, or addiction. What if you could exchange that life for one of freedom, joy, peace, and victory? You interested?
There is a common thread running through the lives of everyone: rejection. Whether this rejection is open, subtle, verbal, physical, etc., everyone has been affected by rejection. At GFI, we define rejection as “the absence of meaningful love.” Dr. Solomon wrote, “Being rejected does not mean there is no love involved but that, for one reason or another, it is not fulfilling or edifying love. The result of rejection is usually the impaired ability to give and receive love.” So, rejection affects how we live life and how we interact with others.2
Everyone struggles with guilt, shame, worry, doubt, depression, anxiety, fear, or addiction. What if you could exchange that life for one of freedom, joy, peace, and victory? You interested?
There is a common thread running through the lives of everyone: rejection. Whether this rejection is open, subtle, verbal, physical, etc., everyone has been affected by rejection. At GFI, we define rejection as “the absence of meaningful love.” Dr. Solomon wrote, “Being rejected does not mean there is no love involved but that, for one reason or another, it is not fulfilling or edifying love. The result of rejection is usually the impaired ability to give and receive love.” So, rejection affects how we live life and how we interact with others.2
Through spiritual guidance, GFI counseling “focuses on overcoming rejection and finding true Christ-centered identity through reckoning by faith the truths of Scripture. We counsel people to see that our identity is based on who we are in Christ, and it is to be claimed by faith, not by works-ours or any other’s.”
Coaches honor the client as their own expert and are responsible for encouraging and empowering them and helping them improve their outlook on life and work. “Our desire is to improve the client’s outlook on work and life, while improving their leadership skills and unlocking their potential in Christ.”
To learn more, click on a link to go to Grace Fellowship International's website.
First Baptist Church has a strong link with Grace Fellowship. Several church members are very involved in the program. Dr. John Woodward is the Director of Counseling and Training, while his wife, Linda, is a chaplain (and also works at Dollywood in the same role). Mrs. Jane Goins is a GFI Guide in Exchanged Life Counseling.
Contact Grace Fellowship International
You can complete a contact form here.
Postal address:
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN, 37868 USA
Location:
3914 Nellie St., Pigeon Forge, TN, 37863 USA
Other Info
Phone: 1-865-429-0450
Toll free in USA: 1-888-664-7223
Fax: 1-865-429-0144
Postal address:
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN, 37868 USA
Location:
3914 Nellie St., Pigeon Forge, TN, 37863 USA
Other Info
Phone: 1-865-429-0450
Toll free in USA: 1-888-664-7223
Fax: 1-865-429-0144
Some Suggested Readings and Videos
Below are a selection of articles and videos recommended by Dr. Woodward.
The Doctor is In
https://gracenotebook.com/the-doctor-is-in/
A blog post by Dr. John Woodward, Grace Fellowship International's Director of Counseling and Training
"The Doctor Is In" deals with how to choose a counselor.
"One of the challenges in deciding to get help, however, is to sort out what kind of counselor to see. One way to put counseling options in context is to identify three broad categories of formal treatment of mental and emotional disorders. "
A blog post by Dr. John Woodward, Grace Fellowship International's Director of Counseling and Training
"The Doctor Is In" deals with how to choose a counselor.
"One of the challenges in deciding to get help, however, is to sort out what kind of counselor to see. One way to put counseling options in context is to identify three broad categories of formal treatment of mental and emotional disorders. "
Dealing with Depression
https://gracenotebook.com/dealing-with-depression-1/
A blog post by Dr. John Woodward, Grace Fellowship International's Director of Counseling and Training
"Dealing with Depression" is a short piece about faith-based responses to depression and feelings of lostness.
Have you been stuck in sadness lately? Take a heart exam: Where have you placed your affections? What channel have you been tuned in to? The law channel or the grace channel? (Rom. 6:14).
After checking on health issues (such as nutrition and rest), let the trial of depression finish its work (James 1:4) by leading you back to the Cross and the flow of Resurrection Life."
A blog post by Dr. John Woodward, Grace Fellowship International's Director of Counseling and Training
"Dealing with Depression" is a short piece about faith-based responses to depression and feelings of lostness.
Have you been stuck in sadness lately? Take a heart exam: Where have you placed your affections? What channel have you been tuned in to? The law channel or the grace channel? (Rom. 6:14).
After checking on health issues (such as nutrition and rest), let the trial of depression finish its work (James 1:4) by leading you back to the Cross and the flow of Resurrection Life."
A Prayer About Happiness
https://gracenotebook.com/a-prayer-about-happiness/
From The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions ed. Arthur Bennett. The Banner of Truth Trust, 1975 (author undesignated), 168.
"A Prayer About Happiness" is an opportunity for you to pray and listen for God's voice.
Reading a prayer aloud is one way to center yourself, to put yourself in a posture to listen for God's voice. Read through this prayer once, then read it aloud slowly. Let the words resonate within you. And listen........
From The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions ed. Arthur Bennett. The Banner of Truth Trust, 1975 (author undesignated), 168.
"A Prayer About Happiness" is an opportunity for you to pray and listen for God's voice.
Reading a prayer aloud is one way to center yourself, to put yourself in a posture to listen for God's voice. Read through this prayer once, then read it aloud slowly. Let the words resonate within you. And listen........
An Overview of Psychology and Counseling Models (video)
Linda's Story: From Panic to Peace (video)
Aaron Kim's Testimony (video)
A Spiritual Cure for PTSD: Testimony of Mark Miller (video)
Next time, we will list some local services in our community.
- https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/about-gfi/vision-values/
- https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/counseling/
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