After 5 years of counseling (1 1/2 years as a student, 3 1/2 as an intern), I'm now officially a Licensed Professional Counselor here in Austin. My focus is on relationships - pre-marital, marriage, divorce - with a Christian aspect. I'm seeing clients in the Southwest Austin (BeeCave / Oakhill) area on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Looking forward to what 2018 holds!
Monday, December 25, 2017
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Taking Captive Every Thought
Paul writes to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2nd Cor 10:5)" But HOW exactly? Every hour we have hundreds of thoughts popping into our head. How do we take them captive? How do we win the battle of the mind? I've found recently that one way to take ground mentally is to start CATEGORIZING your thoughts. For instance, is this another money worry? Am I thinking about that one person in the world again that can get me upset? Am I thinking about my eyes getting bad, again? Ok, pick one category, let's say money. Every time you realize you're thinking about a money item. STOP! Take captive that thought and give it to God. You get every other category. You can worry your heart out over those. But not money. That one is God's. Trust Him. Grow your faith in Him. It is the first step in becoming a master of your own thoughts and living as Paul directs us.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Graduated! On to the Licensing Exam
This past week I graduated from Liberty with my Masters in Counseling. Over the next month I'll prepare for the Texas licensing exam. This past year I've counseled at nites and on Saturday mornings. What an amazing journey.
It helped me learn where my passion is and where my passion is NOT. I feel quite adept at walking with men and women going through marital conflicts, separation, or divorce. I am less comfortable with adolescents. And have not counseled any children. Nearly all of my clients have shared that they are Christian. This opens up SO much possibilities in the counseling session.
My supervisor Leslie Smith was phenomenal, teaching me along the way. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a counseling supervisor in Austin.
As for me, besides the studying, my mentor Dave Carolan, Luci Garza, and I will be leading Discovering Intimacy at LakeHills church in Austin. It'll be the fourth time Dave and I have teamed up to teach this great material.
Shoot me a note if you're interested!
It helped me learn where my passion is and where my passion is NOT. I feel quite adept at walking with men and women going through marital conflicts, separation, or divorce. I am less comfortable with adolescents. And have not counseled any children. Nearly all of my clients have shared that they are Christian. This opens up SO much possibilities in the counseling session.
My supervisor Leslie Smith was phenomenal, teaching me along the way. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a counseling supervisor in Austin.
As for me, besides the studying, my mentor Dave Carolan, Luci Garza, and I will be leading Discovering Intimacy at LakeHills church in Austin. It'll be the fourth time Dave and I have teamed up to teach this great material.
Shoot me a note if you're interested!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Rest Well!
I just finished my last class at Liberty and now will be counseling under the supervision of Leslie Smith here in Austin, Texas. A wonderful feeling to start this leg of the adventure.
If you are interested in free counseling, contact me at pgrosch@liberty.edu or by phone at 512-565-1029.
In this last class, the professor Dr. Jenkins shared the story of the disciples becoming afraid as they crossed the Sea of Galilee in a storm. Dr. Jenkins made the point that it was the storm itself that brought them to the other side. Sometimes in life, our best act of faith is to stop paddling and to rest, letting the storm take us to a new shore. Let’s live this next week with that kind of faith. Rest well!
In this last class, the professor Dr. Jenkins shared the story of the disciples becoming afraid as they crossed the Sea of Galilee in a storm. Dr. Jenkins made the point that it was the storm itself that brought them to the other side. Sometimes in life, our best act of faith is to stop paddling and to rest, letting the storm take us to a new shore. Let’s live this next week with that kind of faith. Rest well!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Forgetting Your Source
Those going through separation or divorce often grow closer to God during this season of life. They can feel God and depend on Him throughout the day. That is, except when that text, email, or call comes from the other person. Then, for some inexplicable reason, they totally forget about leaning on God. Instead, they must read the text or email or listen immediately to the voicemail.
Pause for a second. Or two. Only read the text or email after you’ve had a chance to connect to your source. A short prayer to your Father. A great verse to keep in mind when you finally are ready to read or listen to the message is 2nd Corinthians 10:5 “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Read or listen to the message with Him at your side. He wants you to lean on Him.
Pause for a second. Or two. Only read the text or email after you’ve had a chance to connect to your source. A short prayer to your Father. A great verse to keep in mind when you finally are ready to read or listen to the message is 2nd Corinthians 10:5 “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Read or listen to the message with Him at your side. He wants you to lean on Him.
The Son of the Return of the Blog
It’s been quite a while since my last blog. I’m now wrapping up my 13th of 15 counseling classes and starting to look for my internship. Denise and I are finishing up the latest DivorceCare at our church LakeHills. This year we were joined by Kerry and Diane Pollard of Westlake Hills Presbyterian, a terrific couple with so much experience with couples and those going through this tough season of life. Two alumni Danelle and Greg have been great assistant leaders.
Next session I’ll likely teach Discovering Intimacy, a class to help single adults develop healthy, intimate relationships. The class is based on David Ferguson's (2002) definition of intimacy as to know someone, to be known by someone, and to have a mutual caring for each other.
From the personal side, we now have one son driving (Ian) and another with his permit (Hayden). My library has expanded to include books on raising adolescents. Currently, I’m reading Get Out of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager , But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager by Anthony Wolf. Funny and calming.
Here’s to a great holiday season to you!
Ferguson, D., Ferguson, T., Walker, B. & Walker, J. (2002). Discovering intimacy: Relating to God and others as single adults. Austin, TX: Relationship Press.
Next session I’ll likely teach Discovering Intimacy, a class to help single adults develop healthy, intimate relationships. The class is based on David Ferguson's (2002) definition of intimacy as to know someone, to be known by someone, and to have a mutual caring for each other.
From the personal side, we now have one son driving (Ian) and another with his permit (Hayden). My library has expanded to include books on raising adolescents. Currently, I’m reading Get Out of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager , But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager by Anthony Wolf. Funny and calming.
Here’s to a great holiday season to you!
Ferguson, D., Ferguson, T., Walker, B. & Walker, J. (2002). Discovering intimacy: Relating to God and others as single adults. Austin, TX: Relationship Press.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Judgment Day
The thought of Judgment Day for many of us makes us nervous, even fearful. This past weekend I had the opportunity to be at Manresa, my yearly respite, my silent retreat. Located in Convent, Louisiana along the Mississippi River, the quarters used to be Jefferson College. Now they are home to Manresa Retreat House, a silent retreat from Thursday evening to Sunday noon led by the Jesuits, a Catholic order of brothers. The 150 year old trees with the moss swaying in the wind are one of my favorite memories of the weekend.
Now, back to Judgment Day. I have become an avid journaler, usually just about every day now, during quiet times in the morning. This past weekend I reviewed my journal entries of 18months truly feeling Jesus’ presence at my side. Some entries I winced in memory. Others brought tears. The journaling consists of the day’s highlights and also my prayers and conversations with God. As Jesus and I reviewed these pages, I became passionate about how I would live 2011 for Him.
On the plane back to Austin, I laughed. I realized that Jesus had given me some extra tutoring. Seems like he knows I wouldn’t have done well cramming for Judgment Day if I didn’t review my work more frequently.
Now, back to Judgment Day. I have become an avid journaler, usually just about every day now, during quiet times in the morning. This past weekend I reviewed my journal entries of 18months truly feeling Jesus’ presence at my side. Some entries I winced in memory. Others brought tears. The journaling consists of the day’s highlights and also my prayers and conversations with God. As Jesus and I reviewed these pages, I became passionate about how I would live 2011 for Him.
On the plane back to Austin, I laughed. I realized that Jesus had given me some extra tutoring. Seems like he knows I wouldn’t have done well cramming for Judgment Day if I didn’t review my work more frequently.
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