MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY & MARRIAGE COUNSELING
Whether one is married or single, there is no lasting success in this life without the pursuit of mental wellness. Life contains ebbs and flows that people are not always prepared to handle. Regardless of the magnitude, the compiling of these challenges be overwhelming. Everyone wants to process this in productive ways, but many lack the resources to do so.
The mental health wing of Freedom Center Church aims to help any person, Christian or not, achieve their mental health and marriage goals. We provide community, support, resources, and counseling options to people that need those things. While we believe that Jesus is the ultimate provider of freedom in a person’s life, sometimes, individuals and couples just need a little help with mental wellness and marital matters.
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“God never intended us to be independent but rather, interdependent. Needing the help of a trained, gifted, anointed counselor should not be embarrassing to anyone. Myself and my family have all benefited tremendously from simply sitting and talking with a trained professional about the issues of our lives, and so can you.”
— Pastor Jim Wiegand
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“When you work with people as much I do, it can be hard to, first, not take things personally and second, not absorb those same emotions. My ministry philosophy is a thick skin and a soft heart, but that isn’t always easy. I decided to seek professional counseling to make sure that continued to happen. I wanted to make sure that my spiritual, mental, physical, etc health was strong so that I could be about the Father’s business here. I am so thankful I made and continue to make that choice. It helps me sort through mindsets and ideologies that I do not want to take root in me. It’s worth it, fam. Keep yourself mentally healthy!”
— Pastor Carl Jones
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“In 2016, I was refusing to deal with a lot of heavy moments that had happened over the course of the last 3 years. Eventually I reached a point where I was so spiritually and mentally drained I began throwing up every morning for 4 months and went 30 days straight of having anxiety attacks so bad it would block out my vision. I refused to deal with the problem because I thought therapy was only for the weak, but it turned out to be just what I needed when I needed it most. Within 6 sessions, my mind and heart were beginning to mend, and by the 12th session, I was back to being the person I wanted to be. 3 months is all it took and instead of healing my problem, I let it get worse for more than 3 years. To this day I’m a huge proponent of therapy.”
— Pastor JD Wiegand
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“Jason and I received marriage counseling many years ago by Jerry Kymla. At first it was intimidating, and we are always wary of the unknown. Counseling was the best thing that we ever did for our marriage and ourselves. I would suggest counseling before you “need” it. Having someone to talk through situations with is very helpful. I’ve heard it said that some think that seeking a counselor is a sign of weakness; that is not true. That is simply a lie from the enemy to keep you for being mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. Seeking wisdom from a Godly source only betters you as a person. I highly suggest counseling in any avenue that you need guidance in.”
— Melanie McKay
Lauren Peabody
(810) 931-1168
https://www.nurturefamilycenter.com/contact
Hi! I’m Lauren and am happy you are here. I am blessed to be the owner and one of the therapists at Nurture Family Center. For the last 10 years I have worked with families in a variety of contexts, from teaching parent and child interaction classes in Chicago, to working with and managing a team who intervened with families in crisis in Flint until in 2014 when Nurture Family Center came to fruitition. I am a lifelong learner and strive to always increase my knowledge and skill in evidence-based therapeutic techniques for families, individuals and children. I have a strong passion for parenting, family dynamics and helping individuals see the connections between childhood and adult patterns.
I, as everyone, wear many hats. I am a wife, mother of three children, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, in-law and friend. I believe in therapy to my core and wish to spread the many positive outcomes of counseling to the Fenton community. It is my hope that one day therapists will be viewed as a part of every family "team," similar to that of an attorney, health provider or accountant. It really does take a village!
Jeffery Konfara
konfaraj@gmail.com
Mobile: (616) 334-7741
https://konfaracounseling.com/
Accepting new patients
Insurance accepted: BCBS, FSA/HSA, Other: Priority Health, Blue Care Network
People enter into a counseling relationship when nothing else seems to be working. Although most people soon make comments such as, "(Counseling) was a lot better than I thought it would be", few people seek counseling as a first option. More often, we seek out things that either help us to temporarily avoid our anxiety, (e.g., media, social networking) or we seek temporary shots of pleasure (e.g., alcohol, food, pornography) that help us feel good for only a short time. Soon enough we realize that all of these things leave us feeling more hollow and lonely, and that is when we start thinking about counseling.
People walk into my office for two reasons: The first reason is they are dealing with a major life event that they have never dealt with before- think death, cancer, or job loss. The second reason is they have been dealing with the same thing for years- think addiction, anxiety, depression- but this time their coping strategies don't seem to be working as well as they have in the past, and that thing that they have been dealing with for years is starting to impact relationships. Whether you are encountering a major life event or if you have never quite beat that nagging anxiety or addiction, we can help!
Please note that all sessions will be telehealth.
Teri Miller
terimillerministries@gmail.com
Mobile: (248) 563-6765
http://terimillerministries.com/
Accepting new patients
Insurance not accepted
Teri is a member of the National Christian Counselor Association. She is a licensed biblical/pastoral counselor. Teri has an emphasis in codependent recovery, temperament, and inner healing ministry.
More than anything, it is Teri's desire for each person that meets with her to experience the healing presence of Jesus. She is passionate about helping people find healing for their hearts, a fresh perspective in their minds, and health and strength in their relationships.
Teri works with individuals, couples, and families.
Jerry Kymla
(248) 310-7299
Jerry Kymla has a Masters Degree in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Master Clinician, and Ordained Pastor. He has over 30 years of clinical practice as a therapist and specializes in family, marital, and individual therapy. He has been associated with Freedom Center for over 20 years and has done several marriage retreats and spoken at men's breakfasts.
Daphne DeMaris
info@daphnedemaris.com
www.daphnedemaris.com
Accepting new patients
Insurance Accepted: BCBS, FSA/HSA, Other: Aetna
I am a Christ-focused counselor with more than 24 years of experience. Clients who come to me want to integrate their faith in a significant way in their healing process. I work only with adults and senior citizens, and my main areas are spiritual/scriptural integration, healing from trauma, relationship issues, grief and loss, phase of life issues, and anything to do with fertility/infertility/traumatic birth experiences.
What people learn to believe becomes program that's written with code and is always running in the background. That code prevents us from living the free, fulfilling lives we are meant to live. How we live, in bondage to those beliefs, leads to behavioral patterns that are either healthy or harmful.
It's time to discover and begin to operate in the truth. It's time to learn how to stand up to the lies. It's time to change and move toward freedom: emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
It's my absolute passion to help people find their way out of lies they've learned to believe about themselves, about God, and about the world.
It's my joy to help people take hold of every facet of healing: emotionally, physically, and spiritually. To that end, I am pursuing certification as an integrative medicine provider for mental health because if our bodies are not healthy, it is that much harder to have healthy minds and emotions.
Please contact me through my website: www.daphnedemaris.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible (Monday-Thursday) to set up a free 20-minute phone consultation.
Kim Pauwels
248-790-7688
*Kim Pauwels accepts insurance
Kim strives to help her clients become empowered in their lives in order to achieve their personal goals and face life challenges in a healthy way. She believes this involves discovering those beliefs, feelings, and behaviors that get in the way of those goals and then facilitating the change of those impediments to her client’s contentment and fulfillment. A particular interest of Kim's is working with children and adolescents, families and children that have been involved in foster care and adoption, and individuals experiencing grief and loss. In addition, Kim is an experienced Christian counselor and uses a biblically-based counseling approach with any client that seeks faith-based counseling.
Kim received her Bachelor’s Degree from Wayne State University. A major focus of her studies was developmental psychology. She did her graduate work at Michigan Theological Seminary in Plymouth (now Moody Theological Seminary) and received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. Kim's past experience includes working with children for over 25 years in childcare, private homes, and the education system. Her work as a Limited Licensed Psychologist includes working with families and children involved in Child Protective Services, high-risk assessment, and clinical practice with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She also spent a year teaching English to preschool and elementary-age children in South Korea in 2010.
SPECIALTY AREAS: Child Counseling and play therapy, Adolescent Counseling, Christian Counseling, Foster and Adoption Issues, Attachment/relationship issues, Loss and Grief, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression.
Amy Thompson
(517) 974-9353
*Accepted Insurance: BCBS, FSA/HSA, Medicaid, McLaren, Blue Care Network, Molina
*Financial Aid available
Amy is a secular therapist who uses her experience as a pastor of 20 years to apply Christian principles and perspectives. She specializes in helping those struggling with depression and anxiety and has experience in couples counseling, trauma in children 10 and older, grief therapy, and coping skills for ADHD.
Erica Murto
(810) 695-0055
https://www.oakpsych.com/grand-blanc/
Accepted Insurance: BCBS, Call the office to see what all insurances I accept.
Erica Murto, MA, LPC, NCC, LSC, Full-Time University Counselor, Part-time Therapist at Oakland Psychological Clinic
Populations Served: Adolescents, Adults, Couples Symptoms/Disorders Treated & Areas of Special Interest ADD/ADHD, Anger, Adjustment Issues, Anxiety/Panic/Phobia, Behavioral Problems, Bullying, Career Counseling, Depression, Family Issues, Grief and Loss, Marital Counseling, Pre-Marital Counseling, PTSD, Self-Control/Impulse Issues, Self Esteem Issues, Social Problems, Stress Management
My name is Erica Murto. I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University and Master's degree from Oakland University. I am licensed through the state of Michigan as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Board Certified Counselor. In addition to my clinical licensure, I am also a licensed school counselor. I have a strong desire to help individuals with their emotional, personal, and social needs. When working with others I have strived to incorporate the following strong values in my practice: Authenticity, Openness, Respect, Trustworthiness, and Transparency.
Erica is accepting new patients based on direct referral and if she has room in her schedule. Often long wait times or long periods between sessions.
Katie Sheffler
Mobile: (248) 310-7086
thewellcounsel.com
katie@thewellcounsel.com
Accepted Insurance: BCBS
Katie seeks to provide a safe, caring, and nonjudgmental environment, supporting you as you begin to address and cope with the challenges in your life. Drawing from your strengths, we will work together to develop new strategies, skills, and perspectives in order that you may live a full and joyful life. Katie has experience working with people of all ages struggling with a variety of concerns including anxiety and mood disorders, life transitions, behavioral issues, trauma, and more. Katie utilizes creative therapies such as art, play therapy, ACT, Cognitive Behavioral, and is a certified EMDR therapist.
Holly Monte
Mobile: (517) 803-1545
Accepted Insurance: BCBS
My role is to honor your decision to take steps toward a healthy mind, spirit and lifestyle. I am offering mental health and counseling assistance that is tailored to your specific needs, and a therapeutic relationship based on full acceptance and mutual trust. My office is a place where hope is instilled and healing takes place.
I have experience with a wide variety of needs, but I specialize in Christian-based therapy, Couples counseling/ rehabilitation, Pre-engagement & Pre-marital counseling, Phobias and Anxiety disorders.
Chelsea Harper
Mobile: (810) 834-7128
Accepted Insurance: BCBS, FSA/HSA, Other: Out-of-network insurance is also accepted.
Chelsea's approach entails meeting you where you are in your healing journey and acknowledging the whole self - spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally - so you are able to tackle whatever life has in store for you with confidence. Chelsea wholeheartedly believes that when we come together and open our minds to alternatives it cultivates the change we desire to see in our lives. Chelsea serves individuals, couples, and families of all ages. She has experience with a wide range of needs including, various anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, OCD, ADHD, eating disorders, phobias, and trauma. Whether you are adjusting to a new season, feeling stuck, or in need of a safe space to release your burdens her door is always open.
Bonita Austin
Mobile: (248) 787-2265
Accepted Insurance: BCBS
My goal is to help find reasonable solutions, while aiming for the root of the problem, when life's difficulties become overwhelming. My mission is based on education through Christian principles, and values in treating mental health.
As a counselor and years as a fitness trainer, I am passionate about the connection between mind and body, how each one influences the other and therefore lean toward taking a natural, wholistic approach for individual treatment.
Every person has purpose, potential and something to offer. Part of my purpose is to help you discover what you already possess.
Bonita utilizes therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Her special interest through involvement with anti-human trafficking places focus on grief, loss, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Makenzie Thomson
Mobile: (248) 872-3662
Accepted Insurance: Medicaid or $35 cash
MaKenzie believes that we as people were created for growth and for connection. There is health and healing for those who want to work through trauma and loss. MaKenzie seeks to support you as you discover and build on the strengths you already have. She provides a warm, judgment-free environment for her clients to process, problem-solve, and partake in a collaborative effort toward the wellness of self. MaKenzie's experience includes working with those who are dealing with anxiety, depression, loss, and trauma. She utilizes therapy approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral, Art, and Play Therapy to help aid the therapy process.
FAQ
How Much does a counselor cost?
Without financial aid or insurance, the average cost is $80 a session
How many sessions would you recommend?
We would recommend 8-12 Sessions
Is a counselor going to put me on medication?
No, the resources that we offer are all trained professionals but are not licensed to prescribe medication
How long is each session?
The average length of a session is 1 hour
Do I have to see a counselor in person or can I meet over the phone?
Many of the counselors we recommend offer both in-person and online meetings