About Ellen's philosophy of caring for those who are suffering and struggling:
One-Another Care is grounded in the gospel and focused on the many one-another passages in scripture. Those "one-anothers" speak to how we are to relate to and care for our fellow Christians. As a biblical counselor, Ellen cares for others by emphasizing how to think biblically and apply the gospel to whatever concerns a counselee or mentee may have. Her training/equipping classes teach others to do the same. This is what Ellen refers to as "One-Another Care".
What is Biblical Counseling? Here is an overview:
THE CONCEPT OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING: Biblical counseling is committed to the position that Scripture provides an authoritative guide for what we are to believe and how that applies to our daily lives (2 Timothy 3:16,17). The Biblical Counselor is trained in the use of Scripture and the principles of biblical counseling. The counsel is not based on man’s wisdom, opinions, experience, or concepts of behavior, (Isaiah 55:8-11) but seeks to bring the full range of Biblical Truth to focus on the counselee’s emotional and spiritual need (Hebrews 4:12).
THE SCOPE OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING: Biblical counseling deals with a range of problems confronting mankind including but not limited to: relationship issues, fear, depression, alcohol and substance abuse, stress, anxiety, worry, and other problems that may result in emotional and/or spiritual immobility. In short the Biblical Counselor is equipped to deal with problems dealing with ourselves, our relationship to God or our fellow man (2 Peter 1:3). Biblical Counseling is, in simple terms, a form of discipleship.
MEDICAL NEEDS: Biblical Counselors believe in the total health needs of the counselee: body, mind and spirit. Your counselor may recommend that you have a full or specified medical examination. If medical assistance is required, counseling will continue in conjunction with medical advice. We do not diagnose mental illness, but we are often able to come alongside and disciple you as you navigate your medical needs. If your counselor believes that your struggles are beyond the scope of this kind of discipleship, she will help you to navigate finding another form of help.
ELEMENTS OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING: Your counselors will use their skill in applying Biblical principles to enable you to glorify God in your life and to enable you to gain a measure of victory over the problems that are depriving you of the peace and joy that God has promised you in His Word. Your counselor will concentrate in three areas that are necessary for Biblical heart-change to take place:
HOPE – In Jesus Christ we have a great High Priest who has suffered and been tempted in all things, yet He never sinned. Because of Christ, even though you may be suffering or facing every sin common to man, you can have victory. God has promised that He will not let you be tempted beyond your endurance and that He will provide a way for you to have victory in the midst of your temptation. (1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 4:14-16). We serve those who are suffering and those who are struggling with sin. True hope is found only in the gospel of Jesus Christ. You will receive a gospel-centered approach to your struggles as you learn how the gospel connects to every day life.
CHANGE – In Christ we can learn how to lay aside the old selfish ways of living and put on the new ways of living in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can learn to control our destructive thought patterns and think biblically. We can learn to live a godly life and to live in such a way that we will be increasing in our knowledge of God and our ability to understand our heart issues and biblically relate to others. Biblical counseling will enable you to make practical changes as you learn to think biblically and apply the gospel to your struggles (Eph. 4:10-13; Col. 1:10). You will be counseled in the indicatives and imperatives in scripture, not one or the other...but both together.
PRACTICE – We need to prove ourselves to be doers of God’s Word and not merely hearers of the Word. The gospel is our motivation for both heart change and obedience. (James 1:22; Proverbs 28:13). With a good understanding of all that Christ has provided you in the gospel, you will have a firm foundation on which to build and move forward in a healthier spiritual direction. Perfection is not our goal, but growth is.
THE CONCEPT OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING: Biblical counseling is committed to the position that Scripture provides an authoritative guide for what we are to believe and how that applies to our daily lives (2 Timothy 3:16,17). The Biblical Counselor is trained in the use of Scripture and the principles of biblical counseling. The counsel is not based on man’s wisdom, opinions, experience, or concepts of behavior, (Isaiah 55:8-11) but seeks to bring the full range of Biblical Truth to focus on the counselee’s emotional and spiritual need (Hebrews 4:12).
THE SCOPE OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING: Biblical counseling deals with a range of problems confronting mankind including but not limited to: relationship issues, fear, depression, alcohol and substance abuse, stress, anxiety, worry, and other problems that may result in emotional and/or spiritual immobility. In short the Biblical Counselor is equipped to deal with problems dealing with ourselves, our relationship to God or our fellow man (2 Peter 1:3). Biblical Counseling is, in simple terms, a form of discipleship.
MEDICAL NEEDS: Biblical Counselors believe in the total health needs of the counselee: body, mind and spirit. Your counselor may recommend that you have a full or specified medical examination. If medical assistance is required, counseling will continue in conjunction with medical advice. We do not diagnose mental illness, but we are often able to come alongside and disciple you as you navigate your medical needs. If your counselor believes that your struggles are beyond the scope of this kind of discipleship, she will help you to navigate finding another form of help.
ELEMENTS OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING: Your counselors will use their skill in applying Biblical principles to enable you to glorify God in your life and to enable you to gain a measure of victory over the problems that are depriving you of the peace and joy that God has promised you in His Word. Your counselor will concentrate in three areas that are necessary for Biblical heart-change to take place:
HOPE – In Jesus Christ we have a great High Priest who has suffered and been tempted in all things, yet He never sinned. Because of Christ, even though you may be suffering or facing every sin common to man, you can have victory. God has promised that He will not let you be tempted beyond your endurance and that He will provide a way for you to have victory in the midst of your temptation. (1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 4:14-16). We serve those who are suffering and those who are struggling with sin. True hope is found only in the gospel of Jesus Christ. You will receive a gospel-centered approach to your struggles as you learn how the gospel connects to every day life.
CHANGE – In Christ we can learn how to lay aside the old selfish ways of living and put on the new ways of living in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can learn to control our destructive thought patterns and think biblically. We can learn to live a godly life and to live in such a way that we will be increasing in our knowledge of God and our ability to understand our heart issues and biblically relate to others. Biblical counseling will enable you to make practical changes as you learn to think biblically and apply the gospel to your struggles (Eph. 4:10-13; Col. 1:10). You will be counseled in the indicatives and imperatives in scripture, not one or the other...but both together.
PRACTICE – We need to prove ourselves to be doers of God’s Word and not merely hearers of the Word. The gospel is our motivation for both heart change and obedience. (James 1:22; Proverbs 28:13). With a good understanding of all that Christ has provided you in the gospel, you will have a firm foundation on which to build and move forward in a healthier spiritual direction. Perfection is not our goal, but growth is.
Ellen is a Level 2 Certified Biblical Counselor with the ABC (Association of Biblical Counselors)
