We believe that people are created in the image of God. That means that foundationally we are created in the image of a relationship and made for relationship. People are most deeply formed in relationship through stories that have brought significant pain and delight. We spend lifetimes trying to avoid or living in reaction to the wounds that were created in relationship.

 We firmly believe that the place where transformation and healing can occur is in a safe and caring relationship. We seek to provide that space where others who are hurting can seek healing and care.

Relationship

We believe that it is in our very design to live as beings that are connected and living in relationship with others. As relational creatures, we do believe that the therapeutic relationship is essential to the healing process. In the therapeutic relationship, it is our hope, and greatest concern, that trust, honesty, and care for the client are upheld. 

Story

 Often the relationships of our past have created some of our most painful memories and deepest wounds. No one has escaped, nor will ever escape, being impacted by living in a broken world. Every story is to be read and listened to with great and careful intention. God is a good author and is sovereign over all stories. It is required that we gain an understanding of how our own unique life’s story has shaped us emotionally, mentally and spiritually. 

Connection

Shalom is an ancient Hebrew word that captured a picture of wholeness, harmony, perfection and peace. In the perfectly created world, all things were as they were supposed to be and the result was perfect peace. Shame, sin, and trauma have wreaked havoc and caused a disintegration to the harmony. The human heart and psyche have not escaped the disintegration. Through a trusted relationship with a therapist, client’s will participate in the process of connecting to themselves, others, and God. 

Risk

Entering a trusted therapeutic relationship will require trust. Honesty requires risk. Exposing our most shameful stories requires risk. Hope may require the most risk of all. As therapist’s we have the privilege of seeing client’s take great risks in facing the pain in their stories and willingness to hope for a story of redemption. We will invite our client’s to take the insights and redemptive work that has occurred in the therapeutic process and to risk carrying that hope back into their specific lives.