This episode includes a discussion about elements we believe are necessary in order for counseling to be effective. This is the first of a two-part series in which we will discuss the importance of relationship and rapport-building, intentional conversations, and established goals and purpose. Whether you are a counselor, a counselee or someone who is looking for good counseling, you will benefit from this discussion.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this first episode of Season 3, we talk about our ministry of counseling and how we both became licensed counselors and biblical counselors. You will learn some of the pros and cons of becoming licensed, as well as information about the possibilities for careers when you are an unlicensed biblical counselor. For our listeners who are not counselors, you will learn what to look for in a counselor who will best meet your needs.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode we give a clear definition of dissociation, as well as how to spot it in yourself and others. We dispel some of the myths surrounding what it means to dissociate, and we give some practical tips for what to do when dissociation becomes a hindrance to your daily life. This episode will be helpful for counselors, pastors and anyone who may dissociate from time to time (which is all of us).Note:  This episode was originally released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers during Season 2 of Counsel for Life. Any promotions or giveaways mentioned in the episode were reserved for our subscribers at the time of the original release.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode we talk abut ways we can come alongside the children and teens in our lives who may be struggling with mental and emotional health. We'll discuss the need to normalize the child's suffering, and we'll share ways to spend time engaging in his interests and needs. Finally, we'll share some signs to look for that may indicate you need to get additional help for your child. Note:  This episode was originally released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers during Season 2 of Counsel for Life. Any promotions or giveaways mentioned in the episode were reserved for our subscribers at the time of the original release.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode we discuss the typical ways we tend to cope with unwanted thoughts that seem to create anxiety, and we share tips for calming those thoughts in a moment of distress. We also share a tool for considering what these thoughts are telling us and how to take them captive to the obedience of Christ. Note:  This episode was originally released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers during Season 2 of Counsel for Life. Any promotions or giveaways mentioned in the episode were reserved for our subscribers at the time of the original release.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode, Eliza and Beth talk about lessons they've learned as their children have grown into adulthood, and they give insight into how to stay connected to adult children as they grow and change. You'll learn some practical tips for leaning into the relationship without becoming overbearing or intrusive. Note:  This episode was originally released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers during Season 2 of Counsel for Life. Any promotions or giveaways mentioned in the episode were reserved for our subscribers at the time of the original release.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode, we discuss the spectrum of views about the use of medication in the treatment of mental health concerns. We talk about how to seek wisdom from experts and wise counselors, and we give some words of caution regarding the over-emphasis of medication in the healing process. Click below to access the article by Esther Smith that we reference in this episode:https://esthermariesmith.com/a-christian-response-to-opioids-and-chronic-pain/Click below for information about The Whole Life, a book by Eliza Huie and Esther Smith.https://newgrowthpress.com/search-results-page?q=the+whole+life+book&aff=59Note:  This episode was originally released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers during Season 2 of Counsel for Life. Any promotions or giveaways mentioned in the episode were reserved for our subscribers at the time of the original release.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

In this episode we talk about the work we do in marriage counseling, specifically as we guide couples toward recognizing how their words impact each other. We discuss ways to grow in self-awareness, as well as ways to involve wise people in the work of growing a healthy marriage.Note:  This episode was originally released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers during Season 2 of Counsel for Life. Any promotions or giveaways mentioned in the episode were reserved for our subscribers at the time of the original release.Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

Sometimes when we're walking with someone who is struggling, they share things that indicate an issue we cannot keep to ourselves. In November's bonus episode, we discuss situations in which we may need to bring other people into our counseling and discipleship conversations. Note:  This episode was originally released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers during Season 2 of Counsel for Life. Any promotions or giveaways mentioned in the episode were reserved for our subscribers at the time of the original release. Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com

Scripture is the most important source of wisdom as we move through the world. In this episode we talk about practical and personal ways we engage with Scripture, and specifically how our personal engagement leads us toward guiding and encouraging others.Note:  This episode was originally released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers during Season 2 of Counsel for Life. Any promotions or giveaways mentioned in the episode were reserved for our subscribers at the time of the original release. Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls with the hosts, and they have exclusive access through Patreon messages which allows them to ask questions and make suggestions for episodes. Subscribers are also automatically entered into drawings for free books and resources given away by our sponsors. But most importantly, for just $3 a month you become part of the family of friends that keep the Counsel for Life podcast going! Your small membership fee helps to cover the production costs encountered by hosting a free podcast. Thank you for choosing to become a friend of the podcast we are glad you are here and are grateful for you! (Memberships automatically renew each month and can be cancelled at any time.)To learn more, visit our website: www.counselforlifepodcast.com