April News
Many of you have been aware of a long battle I have had, attempting to get credentialed as a Christian Counselor but continually running into roadblocks due to my hours being private practice based with no supervisor above me.
I was told by a couple of agencies over the past two years, that they would certify or license me if I would give up my private practice and go work for an organization that would provide the needed professional supervision. In each of these conversations I had, I explained that I could not do this, because there was not an organization I could work for that would allow me to have the freedom to counsel from a Christian and Biblical standpoint. (Not to mention, I had just spend the last few years of my life investing time and money into building my own private practice! Something I did before NY state licensure laws, and requirements, went into affect)
I have felt so strongly the past few years that Biblically-based counseling was the only way to offer true hope and freedom for those in bondage, that I just could not give it up, despite the inability to be recoginized by my state and other certifcation boards. Today, that all ended for me!
In today's mail was the official letter and certificate notifying me that I am now a Board Certified Christian Counselor with the International Board of Christian Counselors! I am pretty excited about this, to say the least!
I still am on sabbatical from the counseling office due to
1. Being a new mom
and
2. No longer having office space due to my husband resigning his Associate Pastor position from the same church in which True Hope Counseling had an office.
Almost every day that I wake up I wonder, "Should I just shut True Hope Counseling down?" and yet, I still sense a "keep it up and running another day" being spoken to my spirit even as I ask this question.
True Hope continues to offer internet based counseling via our website.
Also, just recently my husband joined me for a weekend of pre-marriage counseling, under the umbrella of both his pastoral position and True Hope Counseling. We enjoyed this immensely and hope to do more in the future if possible!
I guess, deep in my heart, there is a longing to find a Christian Counselor who has the energy and vision to continue on with True Hope Counseling as the Director. I would remain in place as the Founder and President, offering supervision, training, and guidance to staff on a part-time basis, which would allow me to still be a full-time mom, but would have the Director be fully in charge of the counseling center as a whole. This would include doing billing, staff meetings on a weekly basis, marketing and public relations, and possibly even carrying their own client load as well.
True Hope Counseling was known in the Binghamton area for offering Christian counseling for children, youth, and eating disorders; something other area Christian counseling centers did not specifically focus on. Recently I was asked, again, if I would be returning to these type of services as they are needed in the area. My heart was torn. I want to get back in the field of counseling, and yet, the larger part of my heart is at home with my daughter during these precious, early years of her life.
I keep feeling a niggling in my heart and mind to pray about the future of True Hope Counseling and I would ask for your continued prayers as well.
Thank you so much!
Melissa J. Carswell, MA, BCCC (sorry, couldn't resist! :)