Counseling Services
1 - 18 of 50 articles
Olga Harris joins Texas Baptists as new director of Counseling Services
Dec 19, 2024
The Texas Baptists Center for Ministerial Health welcomed Olga Harris as the new director of Counseling Services. Harris transitioned to the role from her prior position as a private practice LPC. She assumed the new position on Aug. 19.
MinistrySafe helps provide churches with awareness and education on sexual abuse prevention
Jun 15, 2023
“Providing education and awareness is so much better than having someone contact us after the fact,”
Mental Health Check-Up
May 20, 2022
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I think this is a good reminder for us all to pause and do a quick systems check-in.
Filling the tank
Oct 21, 2021
You know that feeling when you’re exhausted?
Pastor Appreciation Month: Take time to show how much you care
Oct 6, 2021
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. It is a great time to go above and beyond to make sure that your pastor is blessed and loved on by the church.
Los principios bíblicos al denunciar el abuso sexual
Sep 9, 2021
La Biblia toma el abuso sexual en serio. Debemos denunciarlo 1) porque es la ley (en el caso de menores) y debemos someternos al gobierno que Dios ha puesto sobre nosotros para ejercer Su justicia; 2) porque como pueblo de Dios se nos pide que defendamos al oprimido y vulnerable; 3) porque al hacerlo desanimamos a otros posibles ofensores; y, 4) porque al denunciar al ofensor le proveemos la oportunidad de ver su pecado por lo que es y arrepentirse.
The Biblical principles behind reporting sexual abuse
Sep 9, 2021
The Bible takes sexual abuse seriously. We should report it because it is the law (in the case of minors) and we must submit to the government God has placed over us to execute his justice, because as God’s people we are charged to stand up for the oppressed and vulnerable, because doing so discourages other would-be offenders, and because reporting the offender provides them with a chance to see their sin for what it is and repent.
Providing rest and support through Counseling Services
Jul 27, 2021
Read how two pastors and their spouses were impacted by Counseling Services provided through Texas Baptists.
Texas Baptists offers resources and support to churches and ministries during Child Abuse Prevention Month
Apr 16, 2021
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In Texas, 175 children are victims of abuse each day. As the body of Christ, churches and Christians have a responsibility to proactively protect children from dangerous or abusive situations.
Improving your mental health during stress-filled times
Oct 27, 2020
Katie Swafford, director of Counseling Services, provides helpful information on staying healthy during a time of stress and uncertainty.
Surviving the secret
Apr 1, 2020
Surviving the secret of abuse is hard, and everyone has a different way of processing their experience.
Children’s Ministry with an abused child
Jan 16, 2020
It is in this safe place within the family of God that the child is seen, heard, known and understood.
Caring for abuse survivors
Apr 23, 2019
Katie Swafford, director of Counseling Services, discusses ways leaders can care for survivors of sexual abuse within the church.
The increasing need to protect children in church
Apr 23, 2019
Tim Watson, director of Area Representatives, shares about the important regional MinistrySafe church training workshops offered to reduce the risk of sexual abuse within the church.
Grief: A unique reaction to death or loss
Nov 11, 2017
Grief is a unique, personal natural, normal, necessary reaction to death and loss. Death is a universal part of the human experience. Grieving is the internal reaction following a loss while mourning is an outward or public expression of thoughts and feelings regarding a loss.
How to care for trauma survivors Q&A
Nov 10, 2017
Unfortunately, in our very broken world, we all too frequently hear about tragedies at home and abroad. These events can have significant impact on the mental and emotional health and well-being of those involved and, in fact, have an impact on you and me.
The Truth No One Wants to Hear or Talk About
Oct 11, 2017
It’s been 48-hours since the knock on the door, and yet it seems a lifetime ago. It was a persistent knock that would not go away.
Pastors & Ministry Dads: 5 Things Your Kids Need From You
Jun 26, 2017
As a pastor’s kid, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of church life. Like many PK’s, I struggled through rebellion and making my faith my own.