NEED COUNSELING?

Everyone finds themselves in times of grief and distress. Sometimes, we need help to overcome these moments in our lives. Biblical counseling relies on appropriate application of Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit through Christ’s work on the cross so we can experience change that lasts!

2 Peter 1:2-4 explains that as believers we are also partakers of the divine nature. We have everything we need through the true knowledge of Jesus, found in the Bible, for life and godliness. A biblical counselor will guide you through the process of change (sanctification) as outlined in God’s Word. Really, it’s a form of discipleship! Growth is promised by God as we rely on the biblical truths He left us with – true hope from our Heavenly Father.

Biblical Counseling is…

Goal-oriented.

Our goal is to help you develop a whole-hearted love for God and others. While we want you to feel better, our primary concern is that you grow in your personal holiness instead of striving for temporal happiness. We also desire for you to meet trials and tribulations in a way that will please and glorify our Lord.

Comprehensive.

Biblical counselors care about your past, present, and future in the counseling room. They care about your relationship with God and ultimately your eternal state.

Scripture-focused.

Our primary resource in the counseling room is the bible. A biblical counselor will help you understand your situation from a biblical perspective. Scripture is sufficient for what you need to overcome your circumstance and grow in your personal holiness. As biblical counselors help you apply these sufficient truths from the Bible to your situation in a clear, appropriate way, you will regain hope and victory over your sin and struggles. True change is accomplished through the truth of God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.”

Unique.

Led by the Holy Spirit, the counselor will disciple you by guiding and giving hope through Scripture. The resources we have as believers through Scripture, prayer, and other means of grace are superior to what the rest of the world has to offer.

Able to facilitate true change.

Our circumstances are not the ultimate case of our problems. In fact, James 1 says the opposite – your circumstances are tests that reveal the condition of your heart. Since biblical counseling focuses on change from the inner person (heart, mind, spirit, etc.) first, true outward change is promised when done in accordance with God’s Word. You will experience emotional struggles and the behaviors that accompany less frequently as you deal with the condition of your heart first. For believers who trust in the sufficiency of Scripture, this is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s work on the cross. You will be able to live a life that glorifies and honors God our Father!

Counseling is a Ministry of the Church

The church is the means by which Christ has ordained to help believers grow into His likeness. Biblical counseling is not to be an optional ministry of the church. Preaching, teaching, evangelism, discipleship, and counseling are all vital parts of the church’s ministry.

Counseling is most effective when incorporated as part of the local church. You need the help of all combined church ministries. You need to hear the preaching and teaching of God’s Word to motivate growth and change. You need the love and fellowship of other believers for relationships that will assist and encourage you. You need godly leaders who themselves are growing and changing to teach you by their example.

The church encourages, motivates, and challenges believers to “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). A counseling ministry provides practical, relevant help based upon sound biblical principles that enable you to be adequately equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).

Is there any hope for biblical counseling to work?

Grace Community Church believes that God has given believers all we need to know Him and to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. All our difficulties may not evaporate, however, when a person willingly submits to God’s instructions and clings to His promises, there is hope and help.

There are answers for dealing with whatever you might be facing. In fact, those who have gone to biblical counseling have seen significant progress in 8-12 weeks.

What kinds of concerns do people that come for counseling have?

Biblical counselors deal with all kinds of problems - marital struggles, helping parents with their children, those dealing with sexual sin, and those struggling with emotions (e.g. depression, anger, anxiety, grief, etc.). In all cases, biblical counselors use God’s sufficient Word to answer the problems we face in life.

What does counseling cost?

As a ministry of Grace Community Church, counseling is free of charge.

Are you a medical doctor?

No. If you have a medical condition, please consult your primary care provider.

Who do you counsel?

In order to remain consistent with Titus 2, Erin only counsels other women and children. If a man needs counseling, please contact one of the elders of Grace Community Church. To contact an elder, please email info@gcchc.org

How do I get started?

To get started with biblical counseling services please fill out the forms below.. We will contact you with the next steps. For more information or questions regarding the counseling we offer, please contact me via email at erin@gcchc.org.

Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC)

The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) is a fellowship of Christians pastors and other believers who have joined together to promote excellence in biblical counseling. ACBC was founded in 1975 to address several needs in the biblical counseling community.

ACBC is first and foremost a certifying organization. The certification process consists of the completion of an approved training course, the completion of both a theological and a practical counseling test, several references, and a minimum of 50 hours of supervised counseling experience.

ACBC promotes the cause of biblical counseling and the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. ACBC exists to help pastors and those who would be ministers of the Word of God by providing training and encouragement.

About the Counselor
Erin Walter

I was saved at 19 years old by God’s grace, and He has been perfectly good to me even though I did not deserve His gift of salvation. He has graciously allowed me to serve Him and other women by counseling them through Scripture. In counseling, I get to disciple women and see the power of God’s Word transform them more into the likeness of His Son, Jesus.

I have been married to my wonderful husband John since June 2009. We have two children who I homeschool. My favorite things are conversations with my husband, learning alongside my children while we explore the world God created, growing with a community of believers, teaching the Bible, hiking, knitting/crocheting, and reading good books.

I have gone through a rigorous training program in biblical counseling through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). This program includes multiple training classes and successful completion of two comprehensive exams.