The Episcopal Counseling Center

Volume I; Issue 1; Jan.2008

Words That Heal

Dale D. Eshleman, M.S., LMFT

Our focus in 2008 is on the words that bring healing into relationships.  Caring words spoken by those we love – words that heal the wounds brought about often by words of cruelty and pain.  Scripture tells us how powerful the words we speak can be – “from the same mouth come blessing and cursing” (James 3:10a).  At The Episcopal Counseling Center, our ministry is one of words.  Our prayer is similar to the psalmist, May the words of our mouths and the mediations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord. (paraphrase of Psalm 19:14)

Help us to continue to speak words of blessing into our community of faith, and Central Florida as a whole.  We ask that during this year you take the time to share words that have brought healing into your life whether they were spoken to you by a pastor, a friend, a spouse, a parent, a therapist, or a stranger!  If you have a story to share, please send it to us at the address on page two – or e-mail it to ecc@ecc1021.com Stories will be shared in future issues of this e-newsletter.

Parenting without Pressure

Parenting Without Pressure offers an innovative approach for behavior management that teaches children the concepts of accountability, responsibility, good decision-making, and the correlation between behavior and consequences. Its win/win format helps parents formulate fair rules, establish specific guidelines, and determine appropriate boundaries. Additionally, PWOP equips parents with practical techniques to defuse escalating situations and improve communication in the home. More important it offers an important balance between discipline, self-esteem, and unconditional love.  

Dates: Tuesdays, January 15, 22, & 29 2008,  7 – 9 p.m. each evening Cost: $70. per family
Location:  Diocesan Office 1017 E. Robinson Street, Orlando, FL  32801

 MEET OUR NEW STUDENT INTERN

Deb obtained her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University – Orlando Campus December 2007.  Her undergraduate degree (BS) is from University of Oregon, Eugene (1981). Deb is a Peace Maker conflict mitigator since 2003 for her church in Winter Springs, FL (New Covenant) and is in the process of starting a youth ministry/outreach in honor of her son Luke’s death. For the past six years Deb has worked as a Team Lead / Project Manager with a Fortune 250 organization; prior she worked for nearly five years with a not-for-profit youth organization and prior to that she owned her own art business for ten years. Deb is a trained conflict resolution mitigator (Peace Makers) for her church community. Deb has enjoyed coaching or counseling individuals at work or in personal relationships – Counseling has always been a part of her relationships with people.  Yet when Deb lost her youngest son she decided to go back to school to be prepared to counsel professionally. Deb is married and has two surviving college age children. She enjoys spending time with her husband, her husband’s (4) children and her young adult children. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, bicycling and kayaking when she is not reading or searching for a good deal.  They also have a big brown dog and two cats. Sessions with our Student Intern are $5. each and can be scheduled by calling (407) 423-3327.  Deb will be working under the supervision of  Dale Eshleman.

Thank you for your contributions

We want to thank all of you who took the time in 2007 to make financial contributions to the Episcopal Counseling Center.  Your gifts to our general fund and to our Barnabas Fund this year have made it so our professional Christian Counselors are available to do what they do best — offer a safe space where clients’ thoughts and heartfelt needs can be expressed and words of healing can be heard.  Without your contributions we would not be able to continue in this ministry.

 We are also grateful for the in-kind contributions we receive from the Diocese of Central Florida in the way of office space at our Orlando location, and from the many churches throughout Central Florida that provide us a home:  Holy Trinity, Melbourne; St. Luke & St. Peter, St. Cloud; St. David’s, Cocoa Beach; Gloria Dei, Cocoa; St. Gabriel’s, Titusville; All Saint’s, Lakeland; St. Thomas’, Eustis.  

  In addition to the financial gifts we receive, we are also very much aware that approximately 50% of all our referrals come from churches of many denominations in Central Florida.  If you know someone who might benefit from Christ-centered mental health or marriage & family counseling, please pass on our phone number and website address to them.   Again—Thank you!