Religious counseling is a growing movement towards integrating secular therapy with a religious worldview. The two most common forms of religious counseling are pastoral counseling , practiced by ordained clergypersons (by any religious body) also accredited by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), and the more conservative Christian counseling , in which the therapist works from a Biblical Christian worldview but may or may not be ordained or licensed. Also included are practitioners of religious science , which is a non-denominational approach integrating religion and science, and emphasizing the importance of prayer and positive thinking.
AAPC Certified Pastoral Counselors:
SIMMONS Harry E., D.Min.
5914 Brookfield Road Richmond , VA 23227
804-264-8458
American Baptist
SMITH Marjorie (Margie) C., D.Min.
P.O. Box 9335
Richmond , VA 23227
804-467-1150
Baptist
BOWERS Christopher C., M.Div.
9001 Patterson Avenue, Apt. 6
Richmond , VA 23229-6114
804-784-6428
804-784-5331
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
WHITE Garnett L., Ph.D.
1908 LeSuer Road
Richmond , VA 23229
804-732-1527
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
VOORHIES Nedra, D.Min.
3000 Stone Arbor Lane, #725
Glen Allen , VA 23059
804-502-9111
Episcopal
TURNBULL Malcolm E., M.Div.
8700 Rockcrest Court
Richmond , VA 23235
804-272-0158
Episcopal
JACOBS James F., M.Div.
10807 Sterling Cove Drive
Chesterfield , VA 23838
804-586-7017
National Association of Congregational Christian Churches
GREENE Bancroft F., D.Min.
3501 Wicklow Lane
Richmond , VA 23236-1325
804-745-3245
Presbyterian
ROSSELL Doris Ann, M.Div.
Dialogue Pastoral Counseling Center
4906 Fitzhugh Avenue, #105
Richmond , VA 23230
804-377-1184
Presbyterian
HUMPHREYS Janet L., D.Min.
9170 Ivy Springs Place
Mechanicsville , VA 23116
413-596-5329
Presbyterian
LANE Mark Richard, D.Min.
8401 Patterson Avenue , Suite G-102
Richmond , VA 23229
804-740-1829
Roman Catholic
DOWDY Melvin D., Ph.D.
2902 Garrett Street
Richmond , VA 23221
804-281-8117
Roman Catholic
HITTEL Karen B., M.Div.
4101 Poplar Grove Court
Midlothian , VA 23112-4743
804-763-1478
United Methodist
Non-denominational Christian
The Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care
2000 Bremo Road, Suite 105
Richmond, VA 23226
804-282-8332
http://www.vipcare.org/
Founded in 1967, VIP is an AAPC-certified Service Center and Training Institute for pastoral counseling. Services offered include individual, couple, family, group, and substance abuse counseling. All pastoral counselors on staff are professionally licensed and also hold Master of Divinity or Doctor of Ministry degrees. Need-based financial aid is available.
Counseling and Wellness Services of Central Virginia
4100 Brook Rd. , Suite D
Richmond , VA 23227
804-218-1855
http://www.counselwell.com/
Provides counseling which focuses on the interrelatedness of emotional health, healthy relationships, and good nutrition. Emotional problems, addictions, biochemical imbalances, and health issues are among the issues for which support is available. An intensive program for couples is also available. CWS serves clients throughout Central VA.
Christian Counseling Associates
4914 Radford Avenue, Suite 207
Richmond , VA 23230
1901 Huguenot Road, Suite 201
Richmond , VA 23235 ( Chesterfield County )
9283 Atlee Station Road Mechanicsville , VA 23116
(804) 257-9392
http://www.christiancounselors4va.com/index.htm
Provides individual and family therapy incorporating “ traditional therapy fortified with scripturally-based counseling”. Specialists are licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia ‘s Board of Health to practice in their particular area of expertise. Many are also members of the American Association of Christian Counselors and/or the Christian Association of Psychological Studies . In practice since 1985.
Center for Less Stress, Inc
2933 W. Leigh St
Richmond , VA 23230
804-354-0990
Individual and group therapy, specializing in anger and stress management. Licensed psychologist uses cognitive-behavioral and mind-body methods in conjunction with Christian principles.
Full Circle Ministries
2221b E Clay St
Richmond , VA 23219
804-643-3845
Offers Christian counseling in mental health, health care, and substance abuse.
Rose of Sharon Counseling Services
4100 E. Parham Rd , Suite B
Richmond , VA 23228
804-382-0293
Provides Christian counseling based on biblical principles as well as clinical interventions. All ages. Also provides consultation, supervision and training services to parents, health professionals, schools and churches.
Bethany Christian Services
5001 West Broad Street, Suite 140
Richmond , VA 23230
804-360-0466
804-726-2762
http://www.bethany.org
Provides free pregnancy and adoption counseling. Primarly known as an adoption agency, but also extends Christian counseling services to others who are struggling. Founded in 1944.
Shepard’s Staff Ministry
7521 Comanche Drive
Richmond , VA 23225
804-327-0707
http://www.shepard-staff.org
Offers Christian counseling to families, groups, couples, individuals, and clergy. Also offers consulting services to churches and other organizations.
Commonwealth Christian Counseling
1805 Monument Ave
Richmond , VA 23220
804-254-7643
Rapture Time Assembly Of God
2413 Jefferson Davis Highway
Richmond , VA 23234
804-233-6158
Father’s House Healing Center
11925 Centre St
Chester , VA 23831
804-748-7444
Religious Science
Spiritual Mind Center of Richmond
12594 Patterson Avenue ,
Richmond , VA 23233
804-784-9830
Founded in 1994, the SMC offers classes in Religious Science or Science of the Mind. Students learn how to change their lives by changing the way they think.
Inner Peace
3201 Skipwith Rd
Richmond , VA 23294
Offers classes in Science of the Mind. Credentialed counselors offer help with grief, inner child work, past/future life regression, and chakra working.
A normal Sunday service begins with a prelude and entrance of the light of Christ, welcome, and announcements. This is followed by a call to worship, responsive prayer, hymn, children’s message, burdens and concerns and the Lord’s Prayer, first scripture lesson, a second hymn, a second scripture lesson, a message by the pastor, and a presentation by the choir. The services usually end with Doxology, a closing hymn, recessional, and Benediction and sung response. The worship services are held Sunday mornings after Sunday school, and a nursery is offered during the worship services. There are over 200 members of Christ United Methodist Church, with about 75 attending on any given Sunday. The members are mostly Caucasian and residents of the Crestview community in Richmond.
There are a number of internal groups and activities at Christ United Methodist. Gadabouts is a group of about twenty senior citizen members who meet monthly for breakfast. There is also a men’s covenant group that meets on a weekday evening. The Christ United Methodist Women hold their meetings on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoons once a month. There is also a youth group at Christ United that meets twice monthly and consists of junior and high school students. Christ United Methodist is also involved in community outreach projects. Every other year Christ United sends a mission team to Redburg, Kentucky. In the years the volunteers are not in Kentucky they conduct a “backyard mission,” which involves cleaning yards, painting houses and making repairs in the community. There are about 30-35 volunteers for each mission. Christ United supports Crestview Elementary with school supplies and volunteers. The church also collects and donates food for the Lamb’s Basket food bank regularly as well.
