It’s not uncommon for counselors to encourage counselees to identify areas where they are living in isolation or disconnected from community. A “lone ranger” mindset can be an outcome of the troubles people face, whether the result of intense and inexplicable suffering or the shame that accompanies sinful patterns. The child raised in a home where anger and harsh words were the norm, resulting in a young adult who retreats from any disruption or conflict in a relationship. The spouse who introduces destructive habits into the relationship, willfully resisting self-reflection and withdrawing from the relationship into his or her preferred inner world of self-soothing fantasy. The pastor who closes himself off from others and views any feedback or questioning as unwarranted criticism, building walls around his kingdom.
In a counselor’s efforts to challenge counselees to consider another way of living, we may offer a gentle nudge to identify areas of black-and-white thinking. It’s easy to believe that no one understands our sorrows or that things will never improve. Or, in experiencing shameful remorse over specific choices, to assume we are beyond hope and will never be accepted by others. We are collaborating with our counselees to draw accurate conclusions based on truth and to pursue strategies for growth that are consistent with scripture.
But what does it look like for counselors to draw near one another in a supportive and collaborative way? Since Fieldstone Counseling’s beginning in 2017, we have prioritized partnership. We partner with many of you, who give generously to help our counselees receive counseling without interruption due to financial hardship.
We partner with churches who desire to provide counseling options to congregants by underwriting the suggested donation amounts for their sessions. As counselors, we partner with one another to strengthen our skills and help provide biblically-based, Christ-centered, and clinically informed counseling care. We sharpen one another continually through consultation groups, ongoing training, and sharing resources.
We know that we are better together. Many of our counselors came to Fieldstone because they no longer wanted to counsel in isolation, and our team has been shaped by the addition of now 47 counselors working all across the country. We see counselees in all fifty states and over twenty countries! While we are grateful for the convenience of online video sessions, we always appreciate the opportunity to meet with counselees face-to-face. Sitting across from another person is a unique privilege. That’s why we are excited to take the next steps in what we believe God is calling us into this season, to expand our physical presence and partner with local churches and ministry leaders in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Recent statistics demonstrate the challenges surrounding mental health care needs in the region.1
- Nearly 1.5 million Michiganders have a mental health condition.
- Over 30 % of Michiganders who have not received the mental health care they need report cost as the main factor.
- Washtenaw County’s rate of depression (19%) is higher than the Michigan (18%) and national (16%) averages.
On January 29, a small group of the Fieldstone team traveled to Ann Arbor to meet with local ministry leaders and churches over an informational luncheon. Jonathan Holmes (Executive Director) shared about Fieldstone’s mission and vision and, alongside Dr. Joseph Hussung (Director of Recruitment), invited attendees to consider ways they might partner with us in reaching the Ann Arbor community with lasting hope for life’s hardships.
Our team spent the morning visiting potential office locations and touring the downtown and university campus areas. At lunch, we visited with pastors, college ministry leaders, and biblical counselors about partnering to meet the mental health needs represented in Ann Arbor. The time together reinforced our objectives for wanting to provide physical office space in Ann Arbor, highlighting the good work already taking place from those with roots and relationships across the community — from churches to counseling practices to university campus ministries.
We are excited about the opportunity to link arms with the Ann Arbor community in offering biblically-based, Christ-centered, and clinically informed counseling. Would you prayerfully consider joining us in this new venture that we believe God is calling us into this season?
- If you are interested in partnering with us in any way (referrals, helping cover the cost of counseling for your members/employees, etc), please follow up with our Director of Ministry Partnerships, Dr. Joe Hussung (ministries@fieldstonecounseling.org).
- If you are interested in learning more about employment and contract counselor opportunities, Dr. Hussung will be your point person here as well (recruitment@fieldstonecounseling.org).
- We have a bi-monthly newsletter which contains helpful articles, resources, and information. You can sign up to receive this in your email inbox here.
- Our Intake Office has counseling openings now, so please feel free to direct anyone who might be in need of care here.
- For inquiries related to Fieldstone’s presence in Ann Arbor, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Jim Mong- jmong@fieldstonecounseling.org.
- If you would like any informational postcards to have on hand at your church, we’d be happy to mail you a stack. You can send your requested quantity and mailing address to our administrative staff: admin@fieldstonecounseling.org.
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- https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MichiganStateFactSheet.pdf ↩︎
Melissa Affolter has served in various aspects of counseling and discipleship ministries for nearly twenty years in the local church.
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