Have you ever considered the distinctive approach of Christian counseling in comparison to secular therapy?

Here is a way to think of the difference.

Imagine having to pick between two people to help you climb out of a dark cave. One has a rope. The second person has a rope, a ladder, and a light to guide you to the path. Christian counselors bring that light, not just emotional counseling tools, but spiritual insight as well.

In my first class, as part of my Master's in Professional Counseling, we were asked to consider Jay Adams', considered the father of Christian Counseling, quote about secular versus Christian counseling: "Modern psychology is just sinful people, sinfully thinking about the sins of man."

As Christian counselors, we are trained mental health professionals, yes. But we are also grounded in faith. We don't just ask, "How does that make you feel?" We help you delve into more profound questions, such as, "Where's God in this?" or "What does healing look like through a spiritual lens?"

Here's a quick example: Say you're dealing with resentment in your marriage, grieving from the loss of a loved one, or feeling overwhelmed by the demands of parenting. A secular therapist might help you with communication strategies or setting boundaries. Dennis Gowin or Cheryl Gowin, as a Christian counselor, may do all that and walk with you through the hard work of forgiveness, something deeply rooted in both faith and mental wellness. Or guide you in finding peace and strength in your faith.

Christian Counseling is not about preaching. It is about combining soul care with real-world tools in a way that honors your beliefs and supports your healing.

Do You Need Someone Who Will Listen?

A client once expressed this need: "Sometimes, I just want to talk to someone who will listen and who understands my pain." Life throws all of us curveballs — grief, broken promises, failed marriages, rebellious kids, anxiety, or depression that creeps in when no one's looking. While support from friends or family helps, sometimes, it's just not enough.

That's where we, Dennis and Cheryl Gowin, at Discovery Counseling, come in. We aren't just professionals with degrees hanging on our walls. We deeply understand and blend biblical truth with clinical wisdom and real-life experiences. We have made it our mission to walk with others through life's messy problems, always with empathy and understanding.

Let's examine a few ways Christian counseling at Discovery Counseling serves as a beacon of hope for individuals, marriages, and families. Suppose you've been contemplating reaching out for help or encouraging someone you love to do so. In that case, this might be the nudge you need to take the next step.

Marriage Counseling at Discovery Counseling

Let's start with marriage counseling with Dennis Gowin and Cheryl Gowin at Discovery Counseling.

Marriage counseling is not just for couples on the brink of divorce. Early intervention is key. Many couples wait too long before seeking help. Why wait until things get worse? If you broke your arm, how soon would you seek help to get it healed?

Did you know that couples who attend faith-based counseling early in their relationship document stronger relationships down the road — even if they didn't have a "big" problem to begin with? A Christian counselor can help you and your spouse understand your love languages, apology styles, how to process past hurts, reconnect, and work together again.

Dennis Gowin and Cheryl Gowin are not here to 'fix' anyone. We are here to help both partners feel heard, respected, and challenged in a healthy, grace-filled way. We provide guidance, support, and tools for healing, but the real work and the real change come from within you.

Here's an example of the benefits of couples counseling. A couple came in because of repeated arguments related to managing their finances or their differences in parenting styles. After just a few sessions, they weren't just solving problems — they were communicating with each other for the first time in years.

That's the power of marriage counseling at Discovery Counseling: it doesn't just aim to patch things up. It's about rebuilding the foundation.

Family Counseling That Brings Peace Back Home

Family life is complicated. Add in teenagers, blended families, work stress, or trauma, and suddenly, all conversations, no matter how simple, require walking on eggshells.

This is where family counseling comes into play.

Are your kids pulling away from the family? Do you find that you and your spouse argue more than you talk? Does your day include dealing with grief, addiction, or family system conflict? Time does make these things go away like magic. Sometimes, the problems become increasingly entrenched, reshaping how a family connects or building a wall to sever all connections within the family.

At Discovery Counseling, our counselors don't judge. We start with compassion and a plan. Our goal is to ensure that every voice in the room feels valued and fosters healing, unity, and healthier communication within families.

The most powerful moment is when a teenager looks at their parent and says, 'I didn't know you felt that way.' That's when real healing begins.

Dennis and Cheryl Gowin at Discovery Counseling help families hit the pause button on chaos and rediscover grace for one another. Whether it's learning how to apologize, rebuild trust, or be in the same room again without tension, change is not just possible. It's inevitable. It's within reach, one step at a time.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

We live in a world that constantly demands our attention, from text alerts and work emails to social media and bad news on every channel. In the middle of all that noise, emotional and spiritual health often get pushed aside or ignored.

Ignoring pain doesn't make it go away. Is your favorite saying, "I'm fine," when it's not? That approach usually leads to more damage.

Christian counseling at Discovery Counseling provides a space — a place where people can pause, reflect, and find solace again. A place to ask hard questions, cry freely, laugh awkwardly, or sit in silence without shame.

That could be what we're all craving: not just therapy but a connection to something more profound. Something hopeful.

So, whether you're struggling alone, as a couple, or as a family, know this: You don't have to carry it all on your own. Help is closer than you think.

Here's the thing: You don't need to have it all figured out to start. Most people don't. The bravest thing you can do is take that first step — pick up the phone, send the email, and walk through that door. And if you're worried about the cost, time commitment, or what your friends or family might think, understand that we're here to help you navigate those concerns and find a way to make counseling work for you.

If you've been searching for a counselor, now's the time. Whether you're seeking marriage counseling to restore your relationship, counseling to rebuild broken bonds, or simply someone to talk to who gets both your faith and your struggles, there's hope.

Lives are being changed. Quietly, steadily, with grace.

And yours can be, too.

Need Help Getting Started?

Contact Discovery Counseling to determine if we align with your needs and values. Either Dennis Gowin or Cheryl Gowin is available to talk with you about how to find the help you need.

You're not alone. And healing is possible.

Don’t hesitate to find a Biblical Counselor near you.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors' knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

www.discoverycounseling.org

© 2025 Cheryl Gowin and Dennis Gowin