The Counseling Center At Willow Bend Offers Help In Troubled Times

Hard times can bring out the best or the worst in people.

Unfortunately in times of economic crisis, many people find their resolution starting to crumble. Pressures of impending layoffs, rising prices and being out of work often wreak havoc on marriages and individuals. 

During those times, it’s important to know that there’s a place you can go where someone is willing to listen and offer  counsel. The Counseling Center at Willow Bend, a ministry of Willow Bend Community Church, opened in 2008 under the director of Pastor Geoff Gordon who holds a doctorate's degree in pastoral psychology from Faith Theological Seminary. 

The center specializes in marriage and family counseling, helping to rebuild self-esteem and assisting people in finding their purpose in life. 

“If you can restore families, you can rebuild a nation," is Gordon's motto. Counseling services are offered for a minimal fee and insurances are not accepted. Limited counseling is available at no charge but only on a case-by-case basis for specific situations and at the discretion of the center’s director.   

“If someone needs help, we don’t want to turn them away,” says Gordon.  In specific cases where more intervention or specialized services are needed, referrals to area mental health professionals are available. 

Most clients who have used The Counseling Center at Willow Bend are referred by previous clients, the website and church members.

In late July of this year, seven certified counselors in lay counseling will join the staff at the counseling center offering Biblical counseling in areas such as divorce recovery, chemical dependency, individual and family counseling and marriage counseling. These seven will have recently completed their counseling certification through the Biblical Lay Counseling Training offered at Willow Bend Community Church by the American Association of Christian Counselors, a well-known and accredited program offering training for those interested in the counseling field. Upon completion of the Lay Counseling certification, the opportunity to continue on and receive a degree in counseling is available. 

One of the most popular and unique tools used in the area of marriage counseling at Willow Bend is the ARNO Profile, which is a profile that examines a person’s temperament. Often times getting to the root of a problem is easier once a person’s temperament is discovered, making it easier to deal with situations in a way that most relates to how a person is wired, so to speak. It deals with things such as inclusion, control and affection which determine how a person responds to things at various times in their lives. 

The Counseling Center at Willow Bend is located at , 2541 Henley Road, off State Road 54 in Lutz. Counseling is by appointment only.

Biblical counseling classes for those interested in obtaining a certificate in Biblical counseling through the AACC will be offered again starting in September of 2011.  It will require a 30-hour commitment of classroom training as well as homework and exams. 

For more information regarding counseling, to set up an appointment for counseling or for more information regarding the Lay Counseling classes, call 813-909-2331.