Counseling at Central

Crystal Shepherd | March 1, 2016

People often ask me what it is I do.  I seem to be an oddity in the realm of ministry.  A pastoral counselor is one-part therapist to one-part pastor.  Basically, I am trained in psychology and behavior as well as theology and pastoral care.  Though the two are seemingly opposite, they are actually quite complimentary.  I have yet to see a client in my office that didn’t have some spiritual dimension to his or her problem.  The beauty of the work I do is being able to address both the psychological and spiritual and see lives transformed.  I have often said that I see modern day healings in my work.  I most definitely have moments every day where I see the Spirit of God move in people’s lives to effect change and bring healing and wholeness or what I call the blessing of shalom (Hebrew for peace and wholeness).

Here’s a little of what I do. The counseling sessions themselves are 50 minute sessions.  Counseling is confidential, meaning what is said in the counseling office stays in the office unless the client is going to harm self or another.  I work with people from a variety of backgrounds with a variety of issues.  I have seen couples working through marital issues.  Individuals dealing with depression, personality disorders, grief, and many more problems come to talk and work through their pain.  Working with adolescents through adults, my hope is that they come to a place where they find what abundant life is for them.  My goal is for all clients to realize they are made in the image of God, that they are beloved children of God, and consequently they are people of worth.

I currently work under supervision of a licensed counselor while I work to get my clinical hours.  Within a year or so, I will be able to take the test for licensure with the state of Kentucky at which point I will be able to see clients without supervision.  I am grateful to the church for providing space for me to do this work and to have the bonus of serving on staff in the congregation.  I love both counseling and ministering in a congregational setting.  Through a very generous donation from my counseling supervisor when he retired from seeing clients I was able to furnish the office.  I have added a few homey and comforting touches in the hopes to provide a calming and peaceful space for clients to do this transformational work.  The office is located next door to the kitchenette.  I’d love to have you visit some time to check it out or feel free to ask me questions about this ministry.  If you are interested in scheduling an appointment for counseling you can contact me at crystal@lexcentral.com or on my cell at (502) 235-7758.