Support For Individuals, Couples, & Families

Biblical Based Christian Counseling

Individual Counseling

We deal with issues such as anxiety, depression, relationships, self-identity and worth, life goals, spiritual search and enrichment, and job/career issues.

Couples Counseling

We help couples requiring divorce intervention and recovery, communication issues and pre-marital counseling.

Family Counseling

We work with families struggling with parenting, communication, blended family issues, aging parents and single parenting.

The Purpose Of Our Ministry

The purpose of this counseling ministry is to glorify God through seeking wise biblically based counsel. It is in keeping with recognizing God as our creator that we therefore acknowledge and behave as He directs us.  As we face the multitude of life challenges, we must choose to turn to God’s word for His direction and support.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.””  Learning how to set aside our ‘own understanding’ and seek God’s ways (His truths) in addressing your own challenges, is what this web site is all about.  

What is Christian Counseling?

When a person thinks about counseling, they often imagine a “shrink;” someone sitting in a chair while they lie on a couch and talk to the air. While this is a specific type of counseling, called psychoanalysis, it is not the most common type. Most counselors sit in a comfortable chair across from their clients, much like sitting in a living room; some sit around a small table, much like sitting with a friend at the kitchen table having coffee. Counseling can mean many things, but most professional counseling involves an “alliance” between the counselor and the person or people seeking help for whatever issues are going on in their lives. To form an alliance means to become allies; to join together to work toward common goals.

Christian counseling is different in philosophy from secular counseling, in most cases. Some counselors are Christians who work as professional counselors without mentioning God or the Bible unless the client initiates the topic. At Vero Beach Christian Counseling we use the Bible as the foundation of our counsel.   We believe God gave us his word (the Bible) 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”).  In other words, God’s truth is an everlasting resource that we should apply to our lives on a daily basis.  Failure to do so and to ‘go on our own way’, is basically the road map that much of the world has chosen and the results speak for themselves.

At times, we will specifically address biblical teaching, read a passage of Scripture in session, or give a passage as a homework assignment. Prayer may be used after asking how comfortable they are with prayer. We strive always to meet our clients where they are, just as Jesus did when he was walking on the Earth.

 

COUNSELING SERVICES IN VERO BEACH

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING IN VERO BEACH

If you are considering obtaining individual counseling services and live in the Vero Beach area, it is likely you are at the end of your rope and need assistance. Many individuals seek assistance in learning how to cope with a multitude of problems in their lives including anxiety, depression, relationships, self-identity and worth. We will act as a facilitator to help you understand from a biblical perspective the root cause of the problems you are struggling with.

MARITAL COUNSELING IN VERO BEACH

You remember being in love. When it just felt right. But lately, you’re disconnected, and it’s been so long since you’ve felt that way about each other. Perhaps you feel misunderstood, hurt, or lonely. Maybe you’re struggling with something that recently happened–or that happened a long time ago–and your relationship never really recovered. Or it’s been a long, slow drifting apart. Whether you’re fighting all the time, or you never even talk anymore, you just keep falling back into the same dysfunctional pattern, and you just don’t know how to change it. You’re determined to have a better relationship than your parents, and their parents. You love your partner, and you’re determined to find lasting life transitions, loss, infidelity, or simply feeling disconnected.  Choosing to get help by seeing a counselor can be difficult, but it can be the first step towards creating a better relationship.

FAMILY COUNSELING IN VERO BEACH

Families are ever growing and changing. It is not uncommon for a family to get caught in a rut. They feel as if they are caught in the same destructive patterns day in and day out. We can provide the family the insight and understanding which will allow them to regain order and balance by working on communication challenges, aging parent issues, single parenting issues and the difficulties of a blended family.

TEEN & ADOLESCENT COUNSELING IN 

VERO BEACH

Today’s adolescents are growing up at such a young age. The messages they receive from the media and society are constant and confusing. Very rarely is a teen willing or happy to receive counseling. They do not have the skill set to verbalize the multitude of emotions they feel. We work with them to help address communication issues, drug interventions, relationship bonding, peer conflict resolution, self-identity and independence issues.

PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING IN VERO BEACH

We offer pre-marital counseling for couples who are considering engagement and marriage. This can be a very important investment towards developing a long-lasting, healthy, and fulfilling marriage.  Includes gaining an understanding God’s plan for marriage; learning how to keep God at the center of your relationship; identifying past family backgrounds that may create challenges. Most premarital couples counseling lasts approximately 6 sessions. 

DIVORCE COUNSELING & RECOVERY IN 

VERO BEACH

Considering divorce is likely the biggest decision of your life, or close to the top, for sure. Facing the possibility of a divorce can trigger a range of intense and confusing emotions. During this difficult period, you are certainly not at your best, and neither is your spouse. While you may think divorce is the only option for you given all that you’ve been through, we have seen divorce intervention counseling work many times. Marriages that have been written off or wounded by infidelity can be saved. Strained or broken family relationships can be restored. However, damaged relationships won’t get better on their own, much like a broken arm won’t heal properly unless the injury is treated.

We are sure you feel you have tried everything. May we suggest you have tried everything you can think of, yet other possibilities do exist?   We can help you identify and address negative feelings so that you can release the pain and disappointment that has built up.   Being open to and learning how a relationship with God can bring healing and direction to you is an important part of our counseling process with you.

If you have already experienced divorce and want to pick up the pieces and move on, we can help you deal proactively with the past, understand your part and learn how to understand and build relationship skills that will help you in a new relationship.

 

SPIRITUAL COUNSELING AND ENRICHMENT IN

VERO BEACH

Learning how to grow in your relationship with God. Develop a plan for understanding the Bible.  Dealing with specific spiritual issues or challenges. 

JOB & CAREER COUNSELING IN

VERO BEACH

Support in finding a new job, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, job search, resume preparation, developing a plan for a new career path, learning how to maximize the return of your work efforts, dealing more effectively in difficult employee/boss relationships.

IT’S EASY TO GET STARTED. CALL 480.822.9164

Getting Started is Easy

Free 20 Min Phone Chat

We will discuss your situation and decide if Vero Beach Christian Counseling is the right fit for your situation.

Schedule Appointment

We will schedule your first appointment. After your first session we will discuss the recommended frequency of your visits.

First Session

We will meet with you at our offices and begin your private and confidential counseling session. Our goal is to provide immediate help.

David Parker, MA, BS

Professional Christian Counselor

David holds a BS from Southern Illinois University in Psychology and a MA from Florida State University in Counseling.  He is a licensed mediator and member, American Association of Christian Counselors.  

David has provided over 25 years of biblically based, Christian counsel to couples and families in the areas of marriage and parenting, and to individuals for issues of depression, anxiety, spiritual growth, and, career development.   

David was previously Director, Family Ministries and Director of Counseling for the NE Florida Baptist Association and Amelia Baptist Church.  He has served as a counselor at Northridge Church, Highlands Church, Riverside Church, Shadowbrook Church, Scottsdale Bible Church and North Phoenix Baptist Church. 

He also provides seminars on marriage, divorce recovery, parenting, and, grief recovery.  David is an ordained deacon and master Bible teacher.  David is married, has one son and two grandchildren.  He and his wife are currently members of Kings Baptist Church in Vero Beach.

"Without counsel, plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."

Proverbs 15:22

"All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;"

Proverbs 1:1-3

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of should and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Hebrews: 4:12

Statement of Faith

GOD

GOD is Sovereign, Creator, Sustainer, Personal, Self-existent, Tri-unity, Holy, Loving, Good, Infinite, Unchanging (Immutable), All-Knowing (Omnipresent), All- Powerful (Omnipotent), and Everywhere-Present (Omnipresent). (Genesis 1:1 /1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19-20; John 4:24 /10:30; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

JESUS CHRIST

JESUS CHRIST is God incarnate; born of a virgin; our Substitute; bodily Resurrected; sole Mediator between us and God; Returning again (John 1:1-14; Romans 3:23-25; Acts 2:24-27; 1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 2:13)

The HOLY SPIRIT

The HOLY SPIRIT is the third person of the Godhead who convicts the world of their sin and need for God’s righteousness; He regenerates, indwells, and seals all believers at the time of conversion, and fills and gives Spiritual Gifts to all believers who are yielded to God for the maturing and work of the body of Christ, that is, the Church. (Matthew 28:19; John 2:3-7; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2;12/ 6:19/ 12:7-13; Ephesians 4:30)

The BIBLE

The BIBLE is God’s Word to us. Thus, it is inspired of God, complete, unified and without error (inerrant and infallible), the final standard of faith and practice for all believers. (Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)

HUMANKIND

HUMANKIND is created in the Image of God and designed to be like Him in character and conduct; sinned in Adam and is now a sinner by nature and choice; remains the bearer of God’s Image even in mankind’s fallen state, and will face Judgment one day. (Genesis 1:26-27 /3:16; Romans 3:10-18 / 5:12-14; James 3:9; Luke 2:52)

SALVATION

SALVATION is solely by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ; it is apart from merit, ceremonies or works. The sharing of the Gospel, that is, evangelismis at the very heart of God, and central to the purpose and growth for all followers of Christ. (Acts 4:12/ 16:31, Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 8:35-39)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a session?

I offer a sliding scale fee, for special financial circumstances. If necessary this will be taken into consideration at the time your appointment is scheduled.

What sort of payment is accepted?

Cash, check or credit cards are accepted.

Does couples counseling have to be done on a weekly basis?

No.  While is the approach most couples take, some couples, especially busy professionals, prefer to work with us for an entire day.  We offer “Intensive (marathon) Counseling” for couples who want a quicker process.  Each intensive session is tailored to your specific situation and needs.

What if one of us has a lot of personal issues to work on?

Sometimes, individual counseling is helpful for one or both partners who are participating in couples counseling.   This is determined on a case-by-case basis as the counseling progresses.

 

What is your Cancellation Policy?

If appointments are not cancelled within 24 hours and you do not show for your appointment, you may be charged the entire cost of your session. 

Can I schedule my appointment online?

Yes! Please review standard appointment times available and email with your request with the form below.

More questions?

If you have further questions or would like to discuss scheduling an appointment please contact me with the form below.

How many sessions will it take to solve our problems? 

Each couple is different and unique, so of course, there is not an average number of sessions. Couples counseling begins with a background and assessment process. This assessment provides us with the foundation–a kind of road map–for our work together. Once the assessment is completed, all three of us (you, your partner and your counselor) will decide the frequency and duration of your sessions. The goal of our work is not to make you dependent on the counselor. Instead, we want to provide you as a couple with the resources, skills and tools you will need to become competent at building a healthy relationship in your daily lives.