Premarital

Deciding to pursue marriage is one of the most exciting times in life. Pre-marital counseling will help to build a healthy foundation that is critical for success. Pre-Marital counseling improves relationship skills and establishes realistic expectations within God’s plan for marriage. Some of our therapists use the PREPARE® material which explores communication, conflict resolution, marriage and sexual expectations, financial management, parenting, and family of origin. Several of our counselors are PREPARE® certified. We are dedicated to help couples build a healthy and joyful marriage.

We have designed an eight session premarital counseling package which covers the subjects research states is most important for premarital couples. This package also includes a computer assessment of their relationship. We have a program which includes:

1. Assessing the background of your relationship and how you currently relate to each other.
2. Feedback from the PREPARE® computer assessment and a discussion of the couple’s strengths and
   growth areas.
   • Strengthen communication skills
   • Identify and manage major stressors
   • Resolve conflict
   • Develop a more balanced relationship
   • Explore family of origin issues (In-laws, etc.)
   • Discuss financial planning and budgeting
   • Establish personal, couple and family goals
   • Understand and appreciate personality differences
   • Sexual Intimacy
   • Commitment and Spiritual Intimacy
3. A free follow up session six to nine months after
   the wedding

Contact our office manager or any of our counselors for
more information.

Couples

Healing from infidelity is difficult but not impossible. Trust is broken but can be restored.

Infidelity is common in every community, in every social circle and in every church. It is estimated that nearly 30 to 60 percent of marriages experience the pain of infidelity. No one is above the temptations of infidelity, and no one is incapable of surviving.

The effects of infidelity are destructive, yet infidelity does not have to be the end of a marriage. Professionals at HeartLife are prepared to help couple who want to move past infidelity and heal their relationship.

Many individuals believe ending their marriage is the only option after an affair. We believe this is rarely the right decision, although Scripture gives the betrayed spouse permission to divorce. In Mathew 19:9, Jesus says that
divorce is permitted when there is sexual immorality. It is understandable that an individual who has experienced infidelity feels anger, betrayal and rejection. These are
normal reactions to the loss of trust.

While the journey through healing will be difficult and will take time, the professionals at HeartLife serve a God of reconciliation. We believe trust and forgiveness can be restored with much effort from each spouse. While God reconciles each of us to Himself, he desires to reconcile us to one another. There is no quick fix to the solution, and both partners must make great effort to mend what has been broken.

For all have sinned, all fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23

Recommended Reading:
Torn Asunder by Dave Carder
Not Just Friends by Dr. Shirley Glass

From the beginning, God created man and woman to be one flesh. We were designed by our Creator to be engaged in intimate relationships. Like everything else since the fall, our attitudes, beliefs and actions regarding sexual intimacy have been distorted. There is nothing more sacred and extraordinary than sexual intimacy within the context of God’s design. However, sexual intimacy is one of the primary areas of conflict in marriage.

HeartLife recognizes a need to address this wonderfully complex issue and has counselors who have been trained to help couples have more fulfilling sexual intimacy with their spouses, as well as address and treat sexual dysfunction or past abuse. We also deal with singles who might be struggling with their sexuality.

Defining sex therapy from a Christian perspective is important. Scripture is not silent regarding the importance, blessing, design and purpose of healthy sexual intimacy in marriage.
We consider sexual intimacy to be a sacred, incredible, and fascinating gift God has given husband and wife. Sex therapy guides individuals to realize the spiritual, emotional and physical familiarity God intended.

We realize how difficult and uncomfortable it can be to address these sensitive issues in therapy. But, we also know couples cannot change that which they do not confront. Our specialists are committed to treat these sensitive issues with the utmost respect and care.

Counselors at HeartLife have been trained in the following areas to address sexual intimacy problems:

Low sexual desire or conflict over desire levels

• Erectile dysfunction
• Painful sex
• Inability to orgasm
• Premature orgasms
• Unconsummated marriages
• Sexual addiction/compulsivity
• Sexual abuse
• Sexual Purity with Singles
• Sexual Identity Concerns

Parenting

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
   -Elizabeth Stone

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
   -The writer of Proverbs

Parenting a child or adolescent is a challenging task on our best days. When things aren’t going well, the pressure to respond lovingly and appropriately seem to increase. We have stereotypes that adolescence is the time of wild and rebellious teens; or “the terrible twos” as a period when children just naturally get out of control. What do you do? Where do you find support? Is what you’re experiencing normal? What do I need to change?

At HeartLife our passion is to help you. As our culture continues to spiral downward, children are offered more and more freedom without the maturity to make healthy decisions. How do we protect them?

We need to examine ourselves as well. Our attitudes and actions can often make things worse (see Ephesians 6:4). Our counselors will help you look at changes in yourself and your family system to better address the developmental, spiritual and emotional needs of your child and family.

We always strive to address core issues that affect your family system. Creative biblical and practical solutions help you transform problems into opportunities for growth. Contact us if we can help.