Redeemer Counseling Services

No one likes to experience suffering or pain, but living in a broken world makes it inevitable. People face relational wounds, losses, traumas, and illnesses, often using defenses to avoid confronting the pain. In counseling, one of the hardest steps is helping clients access and accept their pain—what we call the process of grieving and accepting, a key part of our Gospel-centered Integrative Framework at Redeemer Counseling.

From our September 2019 archives, this resource guides counselors on how to help clients wrestle with God in their suffering. To access more practical counseling tools, subscribe to our monthly toolkit for resources that connect the Gospel and clinical excellence via our website at: redeemercounseling.com > resources > counseling toolkit newsletter.

Our online Fellows cohort process their personal System of Self-Redemption - how do past experiences influence present emotions and reactions? What is their deeper strategy? The internal work of Fellows helps students grow in grace for themselves and the people they serve.

In the fourth session of our NYC Fellows cohort, Equipping Director Ellen Lee, trains on trauma-informed care and the Fellows' personal "System of Self Redemption."

Interested in the next cohort? Let us know at redeemercounseling.com/fellows and we'll send you the application when registration opens this winter.

Meet Rosalin Brueck, one of our dedicated counselors at Redeemer Counseling. With a passion for integrating psychology and theology, Rosalin specializes in helping clients develop a healthier relationship with their emotions, bodies, and food—especially in the area of eating disorders. Drawing from her medical background, she’s excited to apply new discoveries, like the mind-gut connection, to her work.

Outside of counseling, Rosalin enjoys surfing, snowboarding, reading, traveling, and spending time with her cat, Shuri. Silent retreats are a special way she connects with God.

We’re grateful for Rosalin’s commitment to making professional, gospel-centered counseling accessible through our sliding scale fees. Stay connected to meet more of our amazing team!

Chronic mental illness is a form of long-term suffering, but it doesn't disqualify anyone from redemption in Christ. Here’s how we can support those in need:

Check Your Biases: Educate yourself to combat misconceptions about mental health.

Stay Connected: Offer practical help and check in regularly; remember, symptoms can fluctuate.

Acknowledge Grief: Validate their feelings and remind them of their worth in Christ.

Encourage Acceptance: Help them focus on strengths and celebrate even small victories.

Facilitate Support: Assist in finding professionals and creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

Let’s embody Christ’s compassion by treating each person as a whole and offering love through their struggles. The Gospel provides hope, comfort, and the promise of restoration.

Read more from this month’s toolkit, “Chronic Mental Illness: Loving Those Who Suffer Long,” where we explore practical ways to support those living with chronic mental illness, reflect on biases, and emphasize the hope found in Christ.

Abuse affects intimate relationships across society, regardless of faith. As Christian leaders, our responses can reflect God’s care for victims. We must be prepared with policies that ensure safety and support for those at risk. Here are key strategies from the November 21 toolkit available on redeemercounseling.com:

1️⃣ Take Every Disclosure Seriously.
2️⃣ Build a Trained Response Team.
3️⃣ Assess Immediate Risk and Develop Safety Plans.
4️⃣ Know State Mandated Reporting Policies.
5️⃣ Provide Individual Help, Not Couples Counseling.

Together, we can create a compassionate and safe environment for all.

🔗 Find the toolkit at redeemercounseling.com/resources

Christians can sometimes feel stuck in their daily devotions or scripture reading, feeling like they’ve heard the same verses repeatedly or are distracted by daily tasks. To deepen your time with God, try this simple exercise from our Fall 2022 newsletter, Internalize Scripture in Your Body and Soul by Hilary Chiu, LMFT, Counselor and Supervisor. This practice focuses on slowing down and internalizing scripture in your body, mind, and soul.

Start by picking a favorite verse, such as John 3:16. After taking a few deep breaths, scan the verse and identify keywords or phrases that stand out to you. Slowly recite the verse out loud, emphasizing a different word each time, and notice how your body and mind respond to these shifts. This can help you connect more deeply with scripture and is a powerful tool for managing stress, fear, or anxiety throughout the day.

For longer meditations, you can emphasize every word in the verse to explore new layers of meaning and impact.

Director of Equipping, Ellen Lee, joins the online Fellows cohort to train on Embodied Souls and the genogram.

Our 2024-25 NYC Fellows learn about what it means that we are 'Embodied Souls.' How does that help us, as ministers and caregivers, serve people better? Director of Equipping, Ellen Lee, also teaches the Genogram—a family history tool many counselors use.

We were honored to join for an RCS spotlight this Sunday, where shared our story with the congregation.

We’re excited to introduce our new series: Meet the Counselors. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the amazing team of counselors at Redeemer Counseling Services. Each week, we’ll feature a different counselor, sharing what drew them to RCS, their areas of expertise, and some insights into their hobbies and interests.

Our goal is to help you get to know the faces behind the care and support we provide—because mental health is a journey we take together. Stay tuned to meet the incredible people who are passionate about blending the Gospel and clinical excellence to help you heal and grow.

Redeemer Counsling joined the Community Group Leadership Summit this weekend. Associate Director of Equipping, Josue Calderon, taught on finding the entry gate to foster deep conversations as well as how to listen with empathy and reflection.

Looking for a cozy spot to grab a coffee in the heart of NYC? ☕️ Check out Culture Espresso, an independent and locally-owned coffee shop with three convenient locations. Open since 2009, their brews are top-notch, but don’t leave without trying their famous chocolate chip cookies—they’re the perfect pick-me-up! 🍪✨

📚 On the topic of ➡️ Embodied Souls... Our counselors recommend “You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit” by James K.A. Smith 🔄

Walking with a loved one through years of pain and suffering can be a deeply isolating and exhausting journey. https://www.redeemercounseling.com/august-2024

Many caregivers provide decades of care, facing emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges with little recognition from the wider community. Yet, their role is crucial, and understanding their needs can help us offer the support and hope they desperately need.⁣

This Toolkit is dedicated to addressing how we can come alongside caregivers, offering practical, emotional, and spiritual support. Whether it’s through providing respite, a listening ear, or spiritual encouragement, we can be a lifeline to those quietly carrying the weight of caregiving.⁣

Explore more on our website to learn how you can better serve caregivers in your community. 💙

Our online Fellows learn about our counseling approach, the GIFT, which integrates both theology and psychology. We are excited to host both an NYC and virtual cohort this year. redeemercounseling.com/fellows

Our NYC Fellows learn about Redeemer Counseling's unique framework, The GIFT. 🎁 This lesson provides a foundation for the rest of the year.

September is su***de prevention month. "Su***de Prevention Resources" by Counselor Angela Adour has helpful guidance to address these concerns. Read the Fall Update at https://www.redeemercounseling.com/fall-2024/. ***deprevention

We are excited as this course and partnership launches.

"Finally, an accredited course in Queens focused not just on friendships, but covenant friendships—a crucial area of life where many of us lack clear guidance."

Finally, an accredited course in Queens focused not just on friendships, but covenant friendships—a crucial area of life where many of us lack clear guidance. Unlike marriage, the workplace, or even parent-child and teacher-student relationships—where established roles and rules are in place—friendships often unfold without any roadmap. This course is an opportunity to provide the direction we’ve been missing.

Dr. Paul Jeon is not just an incredible professor, but also a captivating storyteller. He had our students fully engaged from start to finish, leaving them eager for more by the end of the first night!

Don't miss out on this life-changing group at Redeemer Counseling. redeemercounseling.com/aapi

One of our favorite : Keviana, our front desk receptionist, says, "I personally love PLNT Burger. It's a vegan spot! They have a Bryant Park location on 42nd. Great burgers and shakes! My go to order is the Mushroom BBQ Bacon Burger w/ fries and their Vanilla Oatasty Shake. They're also dedicated to saving natural resources and being eco-friendly."

How do you make NYC your home?

Our 2024-25 NYC Fellows Program kicked off last night. Ministry leaders from around the area connected and learned about two counseling skills: Entry Gate and Reflective Listening. redeemercounseling.com/fellows