“It was a way to add another puzzle piece to further the Kingdom – there are lots of ways to carry out ministry.”

After 18 years as an early childhood and elementary school teacher, Theresa found herself nudged to something new, an opportunity to share the Gospel in a new way. She recognized a growing need for mental health support in the ministry. During her education at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN she was always interested in staff ministry with a counseling and support emphasis to help overwhelmed pastors and teachers. She felt there was a gap to fill. Nearly 20 years later, the opportunity came to do something with that interest.

After years of supporting her husband in his teaching career, raising their children, and gaining experience in Christian education, Theresa obtained her master’s degree in Licensed Professional Counseling through the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. The secular culture of the university was sometimes hostile. Theresa prayed that God would use her as a witness in the field and help her stand firm in her faith. She then joined Christian Family Solutions as a graduate level intern to pursue a career in Christian mental health counseling.

Theresa’s years in the public university setting equipped her to sit in a room with almost anyone and work to find common ground. She found windows to people in spaces where she might not normally have had access.

“Our CFS ministry is modeled after Jesus’ ministry,” she says. “Jesus was genuinely curious to get to know people and shared compassion with everyone. He talked to them, really listened to them, and met them in their struggle without judgement. Therapeutic relationship is the key.”

Many people come to Theresa because she is Christian and they want faith-integrated therapy. Other clients find their way to Theresa simply because their insurance is accepted, and CFS offers convenient access to evidence-based mental health treatment. If and when the opportunity comes, she shares grace with these clients and gives them hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Theresa says that her understanding of people and the trials they must navigate has been broadened, her sense of empathy has deepened, and her passion for making the love of Jesus known to this broken world increases all the more as time passes.

“Not only do I get to help others transform their lives, but the calling to Christian counseling has also transformed me.”