Our services
The care you need, when you need it
Individual Counseling
When a person thinks about counseling, they often imagine a “shrink;” someone sitting in a chair while they lie on a couch and talk to the air. While this is a specific type of counseling, called psychoanalysis, it is not the most common type. Most counselors sit in a comfortable chair across from their clients, much like sitting in a living room; some sit around a small table, much like sitting with a friend at the kitchen table having coffee. Counseling can mean many things, but most professional counseling involves an “alliance” between the counselor and the person or people seeking help for whatever issues are going on in their lives. To form an alliance means to become allies; to join together to work toward common goals.
Christian counseling is different in philosophy from secular counseling, in most cases. Some counselors are Christians who work as professional counselors without mentioning God or the Bible unless the client initiates the topic. Even then, counselors may say little while listening and affirming their client’s opinions and ideas. Some consider themselves Biblical counselors, who provide advice or counsel only from the Bible. Another type of Christian counselor, and the type we strive to be at ELCCC, is an integrated counselor. We use the Bible as the foundation of our counsel, but integrate scientifically sound psychological principles and research in relating and helping our clients, bringing together the two ways of understanding human beings and their relationships.
At times, an integrationist will specifically address biblical teaching, read a passage of Scripture in session, or give a passage as a homework assignment. Prayer may be used after asking how comfortable they are with prayer. We strive always to meet our clients where they are, just as Jesus did when he was walking on the Earth. We are not preachers, and don’t want to “shove anything down anyone’s throat.”
Always, an integrationist will pray for their clients in their own prayer time; seek God’s guidance as to what is the best counsel to give a specific client; point clients to Jesus; and give God the credit for all the good things that happen because of the counseling relationship. ELCCC Christian counselors strive to show unconditional love and acceptance to their clients while forming an alliance with each individual they serve.
Trauma and Abuse
Are you hurting and don’t know why? Have you suffered in your lifetime, maybe even as a child? Perhaps what you have experienced is psychological trauma. Dr. Denice Colson has developed an evidence-informed, structured process for conducting trauma recovery education and treatment. “Evidence-informed” means that it is built using techniques that have been shown to work to reduce the symptoms of trauma including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and relationship issues. In addition, the program is spiritually integrated based on Christian, Biblical principles and knowledge. It is designed to be meet people where they are, so like A.A. terms like “Higher Power” can be alternately inserted for people who may not yet be able to acknowledge God. The key is to acknowledge that we cannot heal ourselves from trauma and must surrender to the healing process which is designed by God. Acknowledging powerlessness over the wound of trauma, the act of having been wounded, and the offender creating the wound can be intimidating, but so freeing! Turning to a “higher power” for safety and stability while the wound is healing is comforting, encouraging, and provides a sense of security necessary to address the wound.
Play Therapy
Our child therapists see children who experience developmental disabilities, school issues, adoption, foster care, sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, ADHD, grief, anxiety, and also parent support to help family members understand and support their child through their counseling experience. One way we work with children is through play therapy.
Play therapy is when a specially trained mental health professional uses play, toys and art to help children communicate about their problems and feelings. Children play for a variety of reasons, including for fun, to learn, and also to work through developmental stages as well as traumatic events, crisis, and stressors. While adults can often talk about their problems/feelings, children are still developing those language skills. Play is the child’s language and children often use play to communicate what is happening in their lives.
In play therapy, toys are carefully selected and organized in order to give a child a broad range of expression. Examples of toys might include craft and art supplies, doll house/people, puppets, animals, and also a sand tray.
Eagles Landing Christian Counseling Center has two dedicated play therapy rooms, one in the Conyers location and also one in the McDonough location.