Counseling»

Dedicated to Transforming Mind and Spirit

How do you know if you need counseling?
You might need counseling if you:

• feel sad, tired, moody, uninterested in things that usually interest you and suffer from sleep disturbances;
• feel panicked, anxious and fearful most or all of the time;
• are troubled by thoughts and memories from the past;
• are in a relationship in which you are, or have been, abused physically, sexually or emotionally;
• are a caregiver or living with someone who is seriously mentally ill, depressed or dealing with addiction;
• find your family, friends, job, or self-esteem jeopardized by your actions or feelings;
• experience dissatisfaction, lack of communication, or frequent conflict with your spouse or partner;
• experience tension, confusion and anger in your relationship with your children;
• are in the midst of a major life event, such as the loss of a loved one, marriage, divorce, caring for aging parents, work stress, loss of employment or a move to a new location.
• feel directionless, uncertain of what you believe or what life means; or
• feel separated from God and/or your faith community.

If you recognize yourself in any of these profiles, Westminster Counseling Center may be a place to obtain pastoral counseling and experience understanding, professional care that includes respectful concern for your spiritual needs.

What is 'pastoral' counseling?
Pastoral counseling is care of the soul in a holistic context that blends religion and theology with methods of contemporary and traditional psychology. Pastoral counseling is rooted in a tradition of deep understanding from the perspective of faith and the varieties of human suffering, and finds meaning in the complexity and ambiguity of life. In addition to being licensed psychotherapists, pastoral counselors are typically ordained clergy and/or persons with advanced degrees in theology.

What Westminster Counseling Center offers
Westminster Counseling Center’s pastoral counselors are ordained clergy and/or persons with advanced degrees in theology and all are licensed mental health practitioners.

The counselors are committed to a vision of interfaith dialogue and collaboration that provides a healthy environment for education and understanding, for healing and spiritual growth. Our mission is to provide interfaith pastoral counseling, education and consultation to individuals, families, and congregations. Our ecumenical staff of licensed and ordained therapists integrates the spiritual and psychological dimensions of human experience to promote healing and growth.

Whatever the setting, the pastoral counseling relationship fosters a sacred space where you are encouraged to explore your past, look openly at the present, learn more about yourself and your life’s environment, and find hope and healing for the future.

• Individuals. Individual counseling is a process of self-understanding and personal growth, leading to a more fulfilling life and healthier relationships with others. The counseling relationship between you and your counselor is a sacred space where you will be encouraged to explore your past and look openly at your present. Your feelings, life experiences, desires, hurts and fears will be handled in a sensitive and caring manner.

• Relationships. Healthy relationships are vital to our well-being. Spouse, partner, family, friend and co-worker relationships can benefit from mutual pastoral counseling. Old wounds, conflicts, family secrets, communication and reconciliation are areas where relationships can grow and change. Divorce and custody situations also can be significantly improved through counseling. And pre-marital counseling can help couples better prepare for their lives together.

• Families. All families experience periods of stress. Counseling helps family members improve how they interact with one another, relate in more helpful ways, resolve conflicts, problem-solve creatively and grow in areas of strength. The goal is to help family members understand and appreciate each other and live in healthier, more enjoyable ways.

• Groups. The center also offers men’s and women’s groups and occasional groups on topics such as spirituality, divorce, grief, anger and conflict resolution. We also welcome suggestions for new groups.

• Special consultation and education services. The center offers consultation to pastors and church staffs. Westminster counselors are also available to present seminars and workshops (pdf download) for congregations and church groups.

Diversity
Westminster counselors appreciate and enjoy the rich diversity of people in terms of ethnicity, relationships, education, sexuality, sexual orientation, religion, age and life experience. We do not impose our religious beliefs on others, and we respect your view of the world and your place in it.

Confidentiality
All information is treated as highly confidential. Pastoral counselors are bound by the Ethical Code of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and by Minnesota state law.

Sliding fee scale
Westminster Counseling Center has an accessible sliding fee scale based on income and general ability to pay. The center can accept some third-party payments. You and your counselor will discuss the fee at the first visit.

Psychiatric consultation
The counselors consult weekly with a psychiatrist concerning treatment issues, including the use of medication.

How to make an appointment
If you think counseling through Westminster Counseling Center would be helpful to you, please call 612.332.7743 to make an appointment, which is 50 minutes. (We encourage you to review more information about each counselor listed below.) A counselor will return your call and answer your questions. If you have need of further or other professional help, we will make an appropriate referral.

How we are organized
Westminster Counseling Center is a private, non-profit organization staffed by pastoral counselors and guided by a board of directors that includes representatives from Westminster Presbyterian Church and numerous other congregations and organizations throughout the Twin Cities area. The center accepts contributions, which are tax-deductible.

Where we are located
Our offices are located within Westminster Presbyterian Church at 1200 Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Free parking is available in the church lot off Marquette between 12th and 13th streets. The church and parking are handicapped accessible.

Meet our counselors
You are welcome to see any of our counselors. You do not need to belong to a faith community to receive pastoral counseling, but please feel free to share your beliefs if you feel that would be helpful during the counseling sessions.

For additional background on the counselors, click on the links below.

Leta Herrington Licensed Professional Counselor Doctor of Ministry, Presbyterian Church USA E-mail Leta 612.332.7743 x221 For more on Leta and her recommended readings

   Stephen K. Lander
   Licensed Psychologist (M.A., LP)
   Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
   Ordination, Episcopal Church (USA)
   E-mail Stephen
   612.332.7743 x235
   For more on Stephen and his recommended readings

Email policy
Email is not an appropriate medium for personal counseling;
therefore, we do not offer online counseling.

The staff of the counseling center welcomes your contact; we also
value your privacy. Although we prefer to schedule appointments by
telephone, you may email us for appointment scheduling if necessary.
However, we cannot guarantee confidentiality when using email. If you
are concerned that your email may be read by someone other than you
or the person you are contacting, please contact us by telephone.
Also, email is not always checked as readily as phone messages, so
telephone is best for the most timely response.

Counselor's Corner
Each month, one of our counselors pens a “Counselor’s Corner” column for the Westminster News. Past columns are posted here as pdf downloads. Feel free to take a look!

Using Prayer in Pastoral Counseling
February 1, 2008 - Rev. Stephen Lander

A New Thing
December 7, 2007 - Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

To Be or Not to Be Known
November 2, 2007 - Dr. Will Larson

Narrative Therapy
September 7, 2007 - Rev. Stephen Lander

A Royal Road
August 3, 2007 - Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Play Therapy
June 1, 2007 - Rev. Steven Lander

God Created…and it was very good
May 4, 2007 - Rev. Dr. Leta Herrington

Living Your Values
April 6, 2007 - Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

A Bolt of Winter Light
February 2, 2007 - Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
January 1, 2007 - Rev. Dr. Leta Herrington

The Pesky Truth
December 1, 2006 - Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Sacred Encounter
October 6, 2006 - Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Loss
August 4, 2006 - Rev. Dr. Leta Herrington

Loosed From Our Moorings
July 7, 2006 - Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Cyber Musings
April 7, 2006 – Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Reflections
March 3, 2006 – John D. Heefner, M.D.

What is EMDR?
February 3, 2006 – Rev. Dr. Leta Herrington

Are We a Christian Counseling Center?
December 2, 2005 – Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Where Two or More Are Gathered in My Name
October 7, 2005 - Rev. Dr. Leta Herrington

Sighs Too Deep for Words
August 5, 2005 - Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Follow the Drinking Gourd
July 1, 2005 – Rev. Dr. Leta Herrington

Healthy Couples
May 20, 2005 – Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Welcome
March 18, 2005– Rev. Dr. Margaret McCray

Readings and Resources
Readings and resources recommended by our counselors are available here.