PT Counseling

Counseling
The commitment here is that God's Word is sufficient for our lives. That the Word of God contains God's design for our personal lives and for our relationships. It comes to us as our guide, our challenge, our inspiration and out hope. That we might have a fulfilling and God pleasing relationship. Remember that hope is the one thing we have that separates us from the world....the hope in Christ and His Word. Remember that Christ died for our sins and gives us a new life and a renewed hope. Don't give up. Hope in Him and trust His Word to guide you.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope

Photo: PT and Dr. George Scipione wrestle with the Scriptures on counseling issues.

You and Your Church
I will meet anyone at least once to help assess the situation. But I am a firm believer that Christian counseling should be taken back into the church. This conviction comes from two fundamental beliefs: that the pastor is the shepherd of the flock, and the Word of God is to be interpreted by the pastor (and qualified leaders) to provide a clear direction. But having said that, I recognize and accept that reality does not always match such an ideal standard. And so, if at all possible (sometimes it's not), the counselee(s) should seek the approval of his/her/their pastor before settling down with counseling outside the church. I realize that this is a perspective that is not shared by all. Regardless, this is the perspective I hold. But I also recognize the fact that some Christians are in transition and are not members of any local church. Apart from the issue of the high value of church membership, I accept the reality of Christians in transition and will not oppose counseling them. I also acknowledge the situation of only one spouse being a believer. Such situations bring in a new set of complications and challenges. I am open to counseling in such situations. Again, having said all this, I will meet anyone or any couple at least once regardless of their situation to help assess the challenges.

* Actual policies, costs, and logistics of counseling with Pastor Tae can be obtained via email. In fact, these policies must be read and accepted before any counseling is given. To obtain this, email counseling@pastortae.org

The Urgency
But the Word of God also presents the power of sin and what it can do to our lives. Left alone, sin will only grow. If you choose to procrastinate in dealing with problems, it will only result in complications and discouragement. It is naive to think otherwise. Simply put, sin is alive. Many people view sin as a theological concept. Yes, it can be studied that way. But sin is more than that. It is alive and kicking inside you. It is biological. It will grow inside of you like a disease and take over. All this creates a sense of urgency.
To learn more, click the left icon "the Biology of Sin."

Related to this is the sobering reality that marriage breakdown is inevitable. There was a time when you might have thought you would live happily ever after. But no sooner than crossing over the marital threshold, trouble comes knocking on your castle door. And when the door is opened, you are shocked at the number of problems that walk into your dream life. My counsel to you is "don't be surprised." As long as we are on this side of heaven, relations are going to be hard. Conflicts will arise. And though you love each other, it will be a continual struggle to build a healthy relationship. In fact, marriage breakdown is inevitable. I say this because that's the way it was decreed to be. Yes, God actually ordered that relationships will have conflict. Sounds shocking but it's true. Click the hesitant couple on the right to find out more...

I have gone to Pastor Tae Shin for advice and guidance with issues in my personal life and church life as well as in the ministry I serve. Besides receiving sincere compassion and understanding from him, I received the wisdom of God for each situation. Pastor Tae is excellent at not only pointing you to God’s word for the guidance needed but he is also able to give the practical applications for the situation. He is the epitome of one who is able to give God’s truth in love with encouragement. Dianne Ferrante, Director of Community Outreach, Orange, CA

I’d like to recommend Tae Shin as a compassionate counselor and teacher. He generously practices principles and techniques in counseling that mirror Christ’s grace and the working of the Holy Spirit in and through him. Dr. Doreen Mar, Internal Medicine, Virginia, Career Medical Missionary

Proverbs 18:17
The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

Basic Types of Counseling: Crisis and Prevention

Crisis Counseling
Intensity and drama is part of most counseling cases simply because people often wait until they are at the edge of a cliff...ready to jump...before they decide to call. Unfortunately, most cases become crisis counseling. This type of counseling affects everyone involved, including the counselor. Everyone is on high alert as everything is now centered on the case at hand. Schedules are altered and everyone makes sacrifices to put this matter first.

In crisis situations, this is the right thing to do, especially when a relationship is broken.You must move quickly to fix it. Consider the example of driving down the road hearing a siren. You look in your rear view mirror and see an ambulance coming up fast. Would you continue on your way and ignore it? No, the law states that you must pull over and let the ambulance pass no matter how busy you are or how late you are to your next obligation. In the same way, a broken relationship is to receive priority. The spiritual law states that you must pull over and acknowledge that the emergency situation has the right of way. To learn more, click the ambulance.

Prevention Counseling
There are those who exercise God-given wisdom and pursue preventative measures for their personal life and relationships. It's always a pleasant surprise when people approach me with such a desire. No serious matters are pressing, but there is this motivation to check and learn more about the Christian life and marriage in hopes to continue on being faithful to God. I welcome that and wish that more Christians would do this rather than wait until a major crisis hits. Waiting 'til the gas tank is empty is always a high risk. Where will you be on the road of life when it happens?

Such preventative measures can be done through the following 3 examples:

1. Pre-Marital Counseling
Pre-marital counseling is on the mile-long checklist of things to do for engaged couples. They come highly motivated with the desire to learn about marriage in hopes of preventing relationship breakdowns. The upside is their movitation. The downside is the scheduling....and cancellation of that very schedule as they have to go "taste the wedding cake" or take pictures or everything else that must be done at the last minute before the big day. And so, pre-marital counseling becomes a rushed situation. The checklist is too long and daunting! Quite honestly, it's difficult to relax and learn when the heavy cloud of wedding prep hangs over everyone's heads! Not only this, there is a slight defect to the whole process simply because the couple is not yet married and has not yet experienced all the challenges of marriage. Many engaged counselees cannot imagine half the problems I bring up. The level of optimism is very high. It seems that the grass is much greener on the other side of the wedding chapel! Because of all this (and more), I personally feel that pre-marital counseling is a bit over-rated. I will still do it, but I don't consider it the best set of circumstances. Actually, I personally prefer pre-engagement counseling as couples explore even the very possibility of a life long commitment. Through the study of God's Word and without the pressures of a wedding date, couples are able to think and pray more clearly about God's direction for their relationship. I wish more couples would do this.

Pre-marital counseling for the parents: marriage brings changes to the parents as well. What if the parents actually got counseling to prepare for their children's marriage? Such counseling would deal with the major changes that even the parents must make...with the biggest change being the new adult relationship that they must now have with their married children. Contact PT for more information.

2. Periodic Checkups: i.e. Six Months or Annual Checkups
Everything written above under "prevention counseling" could be cut and pasted here (read above). Unfortunately, most people wait until they need 10 shots of novocain to have a root canal! It's human nature to wait until you absolutely cannot wait any longer. But some will rise above nature's call to procrastinate and go for an annual checkup. And by the way, you need to go see the dentist too!

Six months or annual checkups involve inventory style tests on every aspect of one's relationship. It is a revisiting of all the basics of a marriage and evaluating how things have changed for the better or worse. The assumption is that change has occured. No relationship stays the same. It is part of God's design for us to go through different times, situations, and chapters in our lives. One year can result in major changes. Checkups are times to evaluate those changes. I am always pleasantly surprised when couples initiate this.

3. Church-sponsored Marriage Workshops
The general motivation is prevention. And that's good! Click the photo to learn more...

Cost for Counseling
* Actual costs for counseling with Pastor Tae can be obtained via email. In fact, these policies must be read and accepted before any counseling is given. To obtain this, email counseling@pastortae.org

For the Leaders" Small Group Leaders Training:
Real life ministry teaching specific areas of small group development and sanctification issues (personal growth challenges). The goal here is the equip the leader with a clear strategy for spiritual growth so that he/she can monitor and help in the personal growth of the group members. In this sense, the counseling skill of leaders will be developed. Practical resources in specific areas of growth will be presented.
Contact Pastor Tae for more information.

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Special counseling resources found at:

For private counseling, email counseling@pastortae.org