Focus on Faith: Christian Counseling

You're about to meet an Abilene counselor that loves assisting people of all ages regardless of race, background or denominational preference.

In his sessions, difficulties are identified and resolutions are discovered; resulting in true change.

Meet, Patrick Heard he has been a counselor for the past 18 years.

Heard says, "It is always a different kind of experience, learning about a person and where they are on their journey and just trying to be a part of it and helping them, you know in their life."

He says that his job brings new challenges and that is why he continues to thrive.

"Being able to teach a client in terms of a skill or technique and when they get it and they start to implement it and they use it in their life and their life improves, then that is very rewarding."

At Turning Point Counseling Center, Heard is joined by a group of independent counselors that all have Christianity in common.

He says faith is really the framework in which he views people.

"I don't always say this to every client that I see, but it is something that I believe; that every person is created in God's image; therefore we are unique and we are special. He has a purpose for us and it is a part of that person discovering that for their life."

Not all clients share the same beliefs, and that is why he takes in all people no matter how they worship.

"We have to be open to responding to that type of person, so that their needs can be met and their goals in counseling can be accomplished."

Patrick believes that the true testimony of a christian person is that there is always a solution and that is the reason he wants to continue to be a counselor, so he can share his wisdom with others.