" Enriching Life with Hope and Direction"
Articles by Patricia Jones, M.A.
Dove Online Christian Counseling Center
If you would like advice or counseling from Patricia Jones M.A. you may choose either Telephone Counseling or E-Mail Counseling
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In today's busy world many of us do not have time to drive to yet another place, spend an hour, and continue on with our hectic schedules.
However, in our personal lives, troubles can arise that dictate we need outside help with our marriages, other relationships, children problems, inlaw problems, family problems, and making difficult decisions concerning whatever issue that we find ourselves involved in.
In addition, many of these issues are highly personal, so much so that we don't want others to know about them. Moreover, we don't want someone we know to see that we are going to a counselor. Which is why there is an excellent solution to that by taking advantage of online counseling with a therapist, without ever having to leave your own home, car, or office.
(You might want to read that sentence several times again, in order for you to understand just how true that statement is. And when you reach the point that the pain you are in has become worse than the pain of changing your situation, then that is the time to seek outside help and guidance.)
Change does not mean that you can change another person, but you can change yourself and how you react to that person, or situation. And when you make a change in your reactions to a person or situation, the other person HAS to make a change also, and the situation improves because you are handling it in a different way.
Another way of saying this is the definition of "insanity" which is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." If you feel that you have been doing the same thing over and over again, and you are expecting different results, you may feel like you have lost control, not only of the situation but of yourself.
Whatever your problems may be, I believe that God plays a major part in restoring our dysfunctional lives, families, and issues. I help my clients to get to the "root" of the problem, not just by covering it up with a band-aid, but by completely removing the basic problems at their source. (Part of solving any problem or dilemma that we may find ourselves in, begins with understanding the problem first. When you understand the problem correctly, then the solution can be found, usually very quickly.)
Because we actually "train" people how to treat us, by what we allow or don't allow in our lives, we can then understand that we have the power to take back control of our lives by changing our reactions to our problems. We can then gain control of the situation. Remember, others cannot hurt you, unless you give them the power to do so. God can help you take back your power over your own life.
As we grow into a spiritual maturity that also keeps pace with our psychological growth, our lives become "peaceful" in ways that we could never have predicted. It has been my experience that other than "love", most of us our looking for "peace in our lives" and "the peace that passeth understanding," which is the kind of peace that only God can offer and sustain. And counseling can help you resolve an issue so that you can find that "peace."
Online Pastoral Counseling Services:
Pastoral counselors are certified mental health professionals who have had extensive religious/theological training and clinical training in the behavioral sciences. They may specialize in marriage and family therapy, addiction, grief, and other issues, including serious mental illnesses. They may also provide educational programs on marriage preparation, adjusting to divorce, and coping with loss and grief. They may work in health clinics, state hospital, private and group practices, congregation-based centers, or in pastoral counseling centers.
Pastoral counselors are psychotherapists with specialized training in the areas of psychology, theology, and the behavioral sciences. Pastoral counselors come from all faith backgrounds and are sensitive, respectful, and responsive to their clients’ belief systems.
The Pastoral in our name is the traditional name for counseling that integrates therapy with a client’s faith and/or values.
Pastoral counseling is psychotherapy reinforced with compassion and intentional respect for the spiritual values of the client.
Pastoral counseling takes seriously the spiritual dimension of a person in the healing process while working with individuals, couples, and families to resolve problems.
Pastoral counseling is built on the belief that life’s crises and transitions are best met by the knowledge of psychology, the wisdom of theology, and with respect for a person’s faith background and values.
My counseling involves support with genuine caring, deep commitment, and complete confidentiality. My hope is to guide you in reclaiming feelings of self-worth, restoring relationships, and renewing thoughts, goals, and dreams. We will work on these goals together, with the understanding that the final decisions of increased potential are the result of your own problem solving abilities as you become more acquainted with your own temperament, spirit, strengths, beliefs, and desires. Please feel free to check out my background by clicking on Pastoral Background and Education.
Education and training:
Pastoral counselors typically have a bachelor’s degree, a three-year professional degree, and a specialized master’s or doctoral degree in a mental health field.
Sessions & Professional Fees: Telephone or E-mail Counseling
Our sessions will either be via email, where you email me your issues and I respond back, or you may call me for telephone counseling sessions. During this time, we can both decide if I am the best person to provide the services you need in order to meet your treatment goals.
"People make a change when the pain of staying the same becomes WORSE than the pain of changing."
All counseling is completely confidential
Many who have visited Dove Christian Counseling Center have only needed a single response in order to get to the root of their challenge, and have been able to move on with their lives with new hope and confidence. There are a few, however, that we still communicate with from time to time, some even on a regular basis in order to help guide and advise - ultimately, with the hope and belief that their situation will improve or be completely resolved.
My focus and mission is to provide a compassionate safe place for healing and to assist you to improve the quality of your life. I listen with care and empathy and understand that having someone to unload our difficulties to is paramount to the healing process.
Although Patricia Jones, M.A. schedule fills quickly, she is creative in working with you for an appointment. She will respond to your phone call upon receiving it, or respond to your e-mail question usually the same day that you send it or within 24 hours.
We accept PayPal and all other major credit or debit cards. Once you hit the PayPal button it will allow you to pay with PayPal or another major credit or debit card. No PayPal account is required.