We delight in sharing Stories of Hope, a series of updates about the work that God is doing through HCS. We’re thankful for this front row seat to see God’s transformation taking place in his people. Read on to hear stories of how the Lord is at work in our counselees — and counselors too!

One way that we have been richly encouraged with hope in our ministry has been through meeting with children and teens. Did you know that in 2021, 21% of teens reported symptoms of anxiety, and 40% reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness within the past year.

At Hope Counseling Services, we desire to reach all of creation with the love and hope that Christ provides. We want our services to expand and adapt to meet the needs of those around us, including children and teens, who so often feel misunderstood. Hope Counseling is pleased to offer teen and child counseling through our wonderfully skilled counselors.

If you or a family you know are in a season where child counseling would be helpful, please reach out on our Counseling page!

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A story of hope, by Miriam Garner:

We have all struggled to put words to our experience at times. It could be for a few brief seconds as we “gather” our thoughts, or a few hours after our emotions have calmed. Or perhaps it might take a few years to put the unspeakable into words. Reasons for this can vary, from differing learning styles to different languages, speechless beauty to unspeakable evil. Yet in every case, we have a God who hears all heart cries, not based on a standard of articulation.

One of the greatest joys that I have had in counseling children and adolescents has been to see them grow in putting words to their experiences – from their thoughts about a book, to their emotions at any given time – it is always a delight to hear or see what is on their heart or mind. One little boy that I had the privilege of getting to know struggled to share if he ever got hurt, yet would fall into uncontrollable crying in other situations. Often identified as “emotional dysregulation,” this was understandably concerning for his parents.

We slowed down and spent time learning the names of emotions and feelings, connecting them to ways we can experience them (with the help of puppet friends!). I saw a living testimony of God’s heart for even little children to experience His presence in their places of need, when this little boy first asked for a Band-Aid from his parents and told them of a scrape from the playground.

“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

Psalm 62:8