What is Biblical Counseling?
The Biblical Counseling model is founded on the principle that God truly has given us everything we need pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Biblical counselors believe that God’s word discerns and diagnoses the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12–13). The Bible is a sufficient manual to teach, reprove, correct, and train believers in right living (II Timothy 3:16–17). We adhere to a holy and sovereign view of God and a biblically-accurate view of man. The counseling is Christ-centered and practical. It is about loving people by taking the time to understand them: interpreting their life situations through the grid of Scripture, confronting them with God’s framework, and challenging them to engage in a life-transforming renewal of their minds (Romans 12:1–2).
Biblical Counseling is a fluid process whereby one or more theologically and relationally qualified persons provide spiritual, emotional, and behavioral guidance in love through the truth and power of God’s Word under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Biblical Counseling involves walking patiently with someone, while wisely connecting them to Christ through the grace-centered message of the Bible. This is done in the community of the church where both the normal and complex problems of daily life can be addressed. We believe Scripture provides hope for even the darkest of human sin and suffering. Biblical Counseling takes seriously the physical, social, and developmental nature of life’s challenges. We believe that people can be healed, strengthened, and encouraged as they grow in their understanding of the gospel and in their relationship with Christ. Therefore, there is extraordinary hope and help through Biblical counseling.
Counseling Services
Individual and Family Counseling
Marital and family counselors help individuals, couples, and families to deal with issues from a Christian perspective. To the extent possible, counselors are assigned according to their areas of expertise. Our counseling includes:
Relationships, Substance Abuse, Grief, Marital Conflict, Divorce, Financial Matters
Pre-Marital Counseling
Becoming One is required prior to marriages performed at Briarwood and appointment must be made at least three months prior to the wedding. Becoming One consists of six to eight hours of intense counseling and a PREPARE compatibility assessment of critical areas of married life:
Communication, Religious Orientation, Family and Friends, Family Closeness, Family Flexibility, Equalitarian Roles, Personality Issues
Career Transition
Individuals dealing with layoffs, downsizing and other career transition issues are assisted in approaching these issues from a Christian perspective.
Appointments and Fees
Appointments for counseling can be made by calling the counseling secretary at 205.776.5281 or emailing altadena@briarwood.org. Appointments will be given on a first-come, first-served basis, giving priority to emergency situations, Briarwood members and referrals from clergy.
No fees are charged for counseling services; however, love offerings to the Counseling Ministry are accepted. Fees are collected for various assessments, profiles, seminars, and workshops according to our agreements with those who supply test materials.
Make an appointment
Contact Julie or Tami at 205-776-5281, or CounselingCoordinator@Briarwood.org for more details.
Please complete the form below and mail or email it to CounselingCoordinator@Briarwood.org and AltadenaMinistries@Briarwood.org.
Counseling Resources
Purchase 2024 Summer Counseling Conference Audio files