Valley Christian Counseling Center

10/10/2023

It's hard to believe that our first annual FULLY ALIVE event was already a month ago! We are still undone by all that God did and are grateful for each person who came and for those who made the night possible! From Susie Larson bringing a powerful life-giving word to Stephen Glasser, our incredible emcee, to Intentional Worship Ministries & friends leading us in a sweet time of worship...and everyone else behind the scenes (including our amazing staff & volunteers). God used each one in a beautiful way to minister to His Church. He's SO very good! Our hearts are overflowing...and we can't wait for next year!

Our kind and gracious Heavenly Father made space for His people to gather at FULLY ALIVE through the generosity of some really incredible sponsors, too. It wouldn't have happened without them! Thank you to Dakota Medical Foundation Life 97.9, KFNW JDP Electric That's the Dream Farm Bell Bank DJ Colter Agency, Inc. - American Family Insurance - Fargo, ND Zerr Berg Architects Gehrtz Construction Services Rosemary Ackley Enclave Park Christian School Security Insurance & Investments Maple Family Dental David Eggers - State Farm Insurance Agent & a few others who wish to remain anonymous!

10/10/2023

It's World Mental Health Day. 🥳 We encourage you to celebrate with us by doing something intentional today to care for your health...think about something lovely or admirable (Philippians 4:8), journal about 5 things you are grateful for, go for a walk in the woods, grab coffee with someone you love, schedule that appointment you've been thinking about (you can call us at ☎️ 701-232-6224), volunteer for a cause you care about, go to the gym, spend time reading Scripture...whatever you do, remember that Jesus loves you, is for you, and is with you.

10/08/2023

We are so grateful for our pastors! Thank you for encouraging us, praying with us, and speaking Truth to us. Thank you for consistently pointing us to Jesus and helping us, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to understand Scripture. Thank you for showing up, working hard, and being real. We are so thankful for you!

*Let's not let today (or this month) be the only time we show appreciation and love for our pastors! What if we commit to 'overwhelming them with appreciation and love' all year!?

10/07/2023

We hope you can join us for our “Silent Saturday Series.” This is the first of four one-day events hosted by different area churches intended to hold space for the spiritual practice of silence - a good first step toward a slowed-down pace as we journey with Christ together. This first session, hosted by Life Church-Fergus Falls, is open to anyone and is facilitated by Amanda Preston, VCCC Spiritual Director. The cost is $25 which includes lunch. We look forward to having you join us! Register: https://brushfire.com/valleychristiancounselingcenter/silentsaturdayseries1/563275

10/05/2023

We are celebrating Physical Therapy Month! Why!? Well...because God created us as humans with multiple parts - spirit, soul, and body! We can't isolate one part from the other - they all impact each other. Thus, to be more effective in our mission to help people become more FULLY ALIVE, we have added physical therapy to our expanding list of services. This collaborative approach to mental healthcare is WORTH celebrating as we see God use it to help more and more people get better faster! Immediate openings! Call us at 701.232.6224 to schedule today!

Visit our website at valleychristiancounselingcenter.com/

09/29/2023

We 💜LOVED💜 hosting these amazing Play Therapists this week for Theraplay Institute’s Level One Theraplay MIM training! It was truly an honor and we are so grateful to have the space to do it! That’s a shoutout to God’s provision for us through the incredible generosity of our donors. ♥️🙌🏻

📸 Let’s play a game of ‘Where’s Waldo?’ Can you find two of our loving and highly skilled child therapists who are in this picture!? 📸😀🤔

09/27/2023

Help us welcome Amanda who just joined our team as a spiritual director! Stay tuned for upcoming events she will be facilitating to hold space for the spiritual practice of silence - a good first step toward a slowed down pace as we journey with Christ.

09/26/2023

What an honor to be with everyone at the “Understanding, Loving, & Leading the Next Generation” community event with Dr. Kevin Leman tonight, hosted by ! Thank you for helping lead the discussion on how we can best come alongside and lead the next generation. Johanna (LMSW) and Lexi (Pediatric OT) worked the booth tonight and are two of our providers who LOVE working with the next generation! It takes a village and we’re here for it! 💛

09/25/2023

09/10/2023

September is Su***de Prevention Month and today is World Su***de Prevention Day. Join us as we bring awareness and advocate for those struggling with depression and thoughts of ending their own life. We want everyone to know - You. Are. Loved. (John 3:16)

Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is in crisis.

09/07/2023

One of our Care Specialists (among several hats she wears here), , and ‘a few of her besties’ are pulling together a very special surprise for our big Fully Alive gathering coming up on September 12th! We are SO grateful for each one willing to help us!

Do you have your tickets yet!? 🎟️ 👉🏼 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fully-alive-with-susie-larson-tickets-668211868687

08/14/2023

He sees you and is with you every step. Such a beautiful reminder from Susie Larson on this Monday morning!

Speaking of Susie Larson, have you purchased your tickets for Fully Alive yet!? We would LOVE to see you for our first ever community gathering. It's right around the corner! Get your tickets today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fully-alive-with-susie-larson-tickets-668211868687?aff=oddtdtcreator

Looking back over the years that I’ve followed the Messiah, I can now see how intimately He’s been involved in my life. Even during those seasons when God seemed silent and life was just a daily grind, Jesus led, interceded, guarded, and guided my way— all while I was unaware.

Preorder link: https://buff.ly/3Nhxqt1

08/01/2023

Exercise is integral to your overall health, but sometimes roadblocks get in the way. Scroll through to learn how we can help!

07/28/2023

Save the date (September 12th), grab your friends and family, and join us for an evening of HOPE and HEALING at our first annual FULLY ALIVE event! 🥳 Here's the link for more info and to purchase tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fully-alive-with-susie-larson-tickets-668211868687?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/20/2023

John is BACK! 👏 It is an honor to have him on our team again as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in our Fergus Falls and soon to be Alexandria locations. He comes to us as an experienced mental health provider who makes it his mission to help others find hope and a deeper (or even new) faith in Christ.

📞 Call us today to get scheduled immediately! 701.232.6224

His areas of interest include: EMDR Certified Therapist (trauma & abuse), anxiety, HeartMath Certified Practitioner (biofeedback), cognitive behavioral therapy, co-occurring disorders, depression, dialectical behavior therapy, PTSD, sex/pornography addiction, spiritual growth, addictive behaviors, men’s Issues, personality strengths and disorders, parent-child conflict. Works with individuals (ages 10 - 15 and 18+), married couples, and families.

Visit our website at valleychristiancounselingcenter.com/

07/19/2023

Each and every appointment at Valley is an opportunity for our providers to walk the journey to healing and wholeness with fellow image bearers, helping them find the freedom that only Jesus Christ can offer.

07/06/2023

Mark your calendars 🗓️ for September 12th for our very first annual “Fully Alive” community gathering! This year, Susie Larson is coming to town and we couldn’t be more excited about what God has in store for this night of hope and healing! There will also be an opportunity given to partner with us on our mission to help people become more FULLY ALIVE in Christ!

🎟️ Admission is $10 and tickets will be available on July 15th! Help us spread the word and watch for more info very soon!

06/05/2023

One of our clients, Casey*, graciously shared this story of working with Jim, "I met with Jim today, and watched him perform a small miracle (large for me). He helped me make strategic payment plans that set me on course to fulfill my financial obligations without conflict with any of the parties. God bless Jim Sanders and Valley Christian Counseling Center."

Jim has immediate openings - please call to schedule -701.232.6224.

05/31/2023

May brought some big changes for Valley! We said goodbye to Lori Rottman as she retired after 30 faithful years of walking alongside people toward healing and wholeness in Christ!

We will miss you dearly, Lori, AND are so excited for you to enjoy this next season of your life. ♥️

05/26/2023

What an honor to partner with .9 for the month of May, celebrating Mental Health Month! Thank you for standing with us to talk about the importance of Christ-centered care and addressing the whole-person in our journey toward mental health! We are in this together! ♥️ Also, thanks to a few of our providers who jumped in on the fun with us! and Crystal Dunham!

05/11/2023

Thank you to the incredibly generous people of who gave so sacrificially to us over the Lenten season this year! ♥️ On behalf of our clients, providers, and staff, THANK YOU for linking arms with us as we care for people in the middle of this national mental health disaster! Because of your partnership, together we are able to help people become more FULLY ALIVE - walking with each one toward healing and wholeness in Christ!

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ…”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

05/02/2023

We are so excited to welcome May for SO MANY reasons☀️💐☀️, but especially because May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Join us this month as we focus on all of the ways our physical 💪🏻 and spiritual ✝️ health impact our mental 🧠 health and vice versa. It’s all connected, so what if we commit to taking one step forward in each area this month!?

Since mental health IS health, what’s your biggest hurdle when it comes to caring for your health?

04/25/2023

Tired of trying every new fad diet without results? Tired of hearing eat less, exercise more? Kari will give you information and tools that go beyond the usual “dieting” techniques and help you adopt a lifestyle that fuels your body. You will gain understanding and be given strategies to kick-start your way to a healthier way of living. This program will include a 7-day meal plan, recipes, an in-season food list, strategies to lower your consumption of gluten, and other resources that will help you achieve your nutrition and weight management goals.

The details:
Come to the FREE Informational Meeting, and then register to join us for this
Six-week virtual course
Tuesdays from 7:30-8:30pm
Begins May 16
$75/participant

Register here:

Tired of trying every new fad diet without results? Tired of hearing eat less, exercise more! Kari will give you information and tools that go beyond the usual “dieting” techniques and help…

03/31/2023

A prayer by Susie Larson to close out National Nutrition Month:
 
"You are a miracle-working God. Give me a vision for what freedom looks like for me. Give me faith to believe You for my miracle. Show me what makes me tired. Show me what masters me and slows me down. Help me to lose my taste for that which weakens me, and acquire a taste for that which strengthens me. Heal me from the inside out! Help me to make the necessary changes. I want to participate with You in my healing process. Awaken fresh life in me! Amen." 
 
Mark your calendars for September 12th & make plans to join us for a night of WORSHIP, HOPE, & ENCOURAGEMENT with Susie Larson!

03/30/2023

We had the honor of hosting a Silent Retreat last weekend along with . Thank you to Karen Moore, who did an excellent job of facilitating, and to the planning team & spiritual directors who put so much time and effort in to helping each one connect with Jesus in such an intimate and powerful way. We can’t wait to do this again soon! ♥️

03/24/2023

Kiwis, bananas, and cherry juice are packed with melatonin (plays a role in your body for helping you sleep) and serotonin (helps stabilize your mood). Amazing how God has created fruits that will help us calm down and sleep!

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety."-Psalm 4:8

03/15/2023

"I wasn’t sure what to expect when I decided to participate in a silent retreat. By committing the entire day of focus on God and not talking to others, I found myself depending on Him for companionship more than usual, which was beautifully unexpected. The sessions and questions were incredibly helpful for focus on specific areas, and I left the retreat wanting to continue these reflections. Allowing intentional space to pour out my feelings and silence to listen for God’s reply left me with an amazing sense of comfort and peace. The leaders addressed the times that might have been awkward (such as cell phone interruptions and mealtime) and I found myself richly blessed instead of feeling like something was missing. It was a great experience, drawing me closer to God and comforting in the way that I know God’s love to be, but don’t always make the time to experience. I am looking forward to participating in another silent retreat soon!"

Register here: https://fargohopeweb.myshelby.org/default.aspx?page=3481&occurrenceId=274872&profile=6599

03/08/2023

Why did Jesus ask the questions He did and why does it matter to us today? Come find out!

There will be time to spend with Jesus, quietly contemplating what He has to tell you about these questions for your life now. You'll come away having had the opportunity to listen to both your heart and Jesus, helping you grow closer to Him!

Register here: https://fargohopeweb.myshelby.org/default.aspx?page=3481&occurrenceId=274872&profile=6599

03/07/2023

~Take 🤍 Tuesday~

03/02/2023

March is National Nutrition 🍎🥬🥕 Month! Call us today (702.232.6224) for more information on how you can schedule with Kari and learn more about how nutrition and overall wellbeing has a direct impact on your mental health. 

See 👀 below ⬇️⬇️⬇️for details about Kari.  

Kari is a nutrition and wellness coach. She is passionate about empowering and instilling hope in women that are suffering from the effects of stressful lifestyles. She has firsthand experience seeing the miracles of physical healing through nutrition from her work at a mission hospital in Cameroon🇨🇲, Africa.

02/16/2023

We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the people in our community. Thank you for partnering with us so that, together, we can continue to journey with people toward healing and wholeness in Christ. On behalf of our clients and staff, THANK YOU for helping us reach our goal this Giving Hearts Day! ♥️

02/09/2023

This has been an incredible Giving Hearts Day ♥️ so far! We are so grateful for the generosity of each and every one of our donors! Thank you for your ongoing love, prayer and support! And the day’s not even over!! 🙌🏻🤗

Together, we are helping people navigate the journey to healing and wholeness in Christ.

02/07/2023

One last TAKE HEART ♥️ TUESDAY before Giving Hearts Day! Check out this client’s story:

“I came to counseling after learning that my husband had been involved in multiple affairs throughout our marriage. I was raw, shattered, betrayed, and alone. It felt like my entire life had been a lie. In my counselor’s office, I found a safe place to unravel, to examine the pieces. Slowly she helped me to remember who I was, and through a miraculous work of Spirit, I was also able to remember who my husband was, and who God was. As I worked through my own trauma, by God’s grace, I was able to come to a place of forgiveness and hope. My husband and I continue in marital counseling as we learn new ways to respond to God, life, and each other. I am so thankful for the healing we have experienced.”

Your partnership helps restore broken marriages. Join us for Giving Hearts Day! Link in bio/comments.

02/01/2023

❤ Giving Hearts Day ❤ is only 8 days away! Will you partner with us? Schedule your gift now!! 👇👇

https://app.givingheartsday.org/ #/charity/203

01/22/2023

One way you can partner with us for Giving Hearts Day this year is by nominating us for Gate City Bank’s 100 year celebration give away! Just clink the link below and nominate us as one of your favorite charities!!👇🏻👇🏻❤️

01/17/2023

It’s another take ❤️ Tuesday! God has been using the professionals here at VCCC to inspire hope, change, and healing. Here is a story from a client who experienced just that:

"I was struggling a lot with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and financial stress. Not much was helping, so I decided to give counseling a try. When I first met my counselor at VCCC, I was extremely nervous and did not know what to expect. The counselor was able to see past my insecurities, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I began to make healthy changes in my life. I learned how to reframe my thoughts, and the importance of praying against unhelpful thoughts. I added activities that promoted growth to my daily routine, and started sharing this new understanding of life with friends and family. I am so happy I gave counseling a chance!"