Christian Lay Counseling Service

The Counseling Service offers short-term confidential counseling to individuals, couples, families, and children from the congregation and the community who may be facing stressful issues or decisions. Marriage, pre-marriage, and parenting counseling is also available. The Counseling Service is staffed by trained lay counselors and interns working on professional licenses; services are short-term (12 sessions) and low-fee (based on ability to pay). We are also happy to provide referrals to licensed professional therapists.

In conjunction with New College Berkeley, the Counseling Service offers a Para-Professional Counseling course at First Pres. Taught by licensed therapists and scholars, the two-semester course is designed to combine practical counseling training with theory which integrates psychology, biblical theology, and spirituality.

The Counseling Service also sponsors workshops, groups, and classes on topics such as marriage, pre-marriage, anger, grief and loss, anxiety, and chaotic relationships. One such offering is One Year Either Side of the Wedding, a workshop offered once or twice a year. Please click here for a list of all the educational opportunities currently available at First Pres.