Barnabas Center for Counseling

11/13/2023

Barnabas Center Closing

It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we share the news of the Barnabas Center for Counseling’s closure after 28 years of service.
As we reflect on the countless stories of healing and hope that have unfolded within these walls, we are grateful to each of you who walked through our doors and entrusted us with your struggles and triumphs. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your story!
To our dedicated counselors, staff, board members, and supporters – your unwavering commitment to providing guidance, comfort, and a safe space for healing has been the heartbeat of the Barnabas Center all these years!
Each day, we have seen God’s hand at work and we trust Him in this decision to come to a close. It has been an honor to serve you, and we hold you all in our thoughts and prayers as we embark on new journeys! While it’s a bittersweet season for me personally, I am also very much looking forward to my retirement and spending more time with my grandkids! We know God will continue to use each of us, just in different locations. What a privilege it is to be a part of His plan.
May God Richly Bless You Today and All Days,

Keith Niager, LCSW
Founder / Director

After November 30, 2023
Contact info:
Barnabas Center for Counseling
P.O. Box 30694
Savannah, Ga. 31410

08/25/2023

FINDING LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS: How to Respond to Mental Health Issues

I was so greatful to have the opportunity to speak on this topic recently at our church. The music is fantastic the talk begins at the 30 minute mark. Please call our office if we can be of assistance. Most insurances accepted.

barnabascenter.net

Content from LifeBridge Church

05/26/2023

Here is a great blog from one of therapists, Rebecca Hodge LPC. Check it out!

PREPARE YOUR CHILD

Parenting children and teenagers in today’s world brings challenges that other generations did not have to face until older ages. We see things like drug use under the age of 11, the offer and normalcy of premarital s*x as young and common as 11-12 years old, gang recruitment as early as 8-9. &n

05/02/2023

Check out this great blog from Stacey Mell APC!!

A lot Did Happen In Three Days….

It’s Friday ….

Peter is asleep.

Judas has betrayed him. Mary is crying.

Hope is lost. Death has won. Satan is laughing. Jesus is buried.

A soldier stands guard.

A rock is rolled into place.

…but hold on … Sunday is coming.

This is a popular meme that has been floating around social media for a couple of years. The author is unknown. However, the story is well known. The world at that time must have looked pretty bleak. Jesus was dead, the savior of the world, dead. What was left? Evil. God asked us to have faith. Faith, that he so ever believes in his son will have an everlasting life. For those believers, their faith held strong. A lot happened in three days. Our Jesus was crucified and then he rose on the third day. Alive! Alive! Alive! What a beautiful sight that must have been.

Death had not won, because our Savior, as according to scriptures, rose and conquered the grave. Hope was not lost, but regained. Hope is such a huge component of mental health balance. Hope is a key element needed for the will to keep on living, striving to do more. God’s grace is abundant and is such a blessing to those who claim it. Grab on to the opportunity to experience eternal life with our father in heaven.

Easter Sunday, the day that changed the lives of believers everywhere. Jesus freely came to Earth, knowing the outcome and obeyed his father anyway. He understood what he must do to provide life eternal to all that choose it. I encourage you to walk this entire year with the same faith, love and emotion that many of us experience on Easter morning. The stone was rolled away, do not let “it” become an obstacle keeping you from your heavenly father. Become the vehicle that guides others to life that loves and seeks to follow Jesus.

Stacey Mell Ed.S., APC

04/25/2023

A huge thank you to all who made our golf tournament and silent auction a great success. Thank You!!

04/10/2023

Here is a powerful blog from Skylar Haak
Check it out!

We’ve all struggled to move past our sin and instead choose to sit in shame. In my work with clients, we often sift through the aftermath of their choices. This leaves me reiterating time and time again that God has grace for us in ALL things - even when it’s hard to believe.

Romans 5:20 reads, in part, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” We know there is no limit to God’s grace. So why is it hard for us to accept and live in His grace? Why do we instead choose shame? A few reasons are below:

1) Misunderstanding the character of God

Believers and non-believers alike have a warped view of God. In order to move past shame we must first understand who God is. He is forgiving, just, kind, and understanding (amongst many other things). God stands ready and waiting for us to receive His grace. Out of perfect love, grace, and mercy God sent Jesus to allow us a way out of our pattern of sin. It is not within God’s character to desire that we remain ashamed.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:17

2) Believing the lie that Christians must be perfect (works-based faith)

There are many Biblical examples of Christ followers who had previously messy pasts. Paul murdered Christians before he knew God! Instead of sitting in shame over his past, Paul began radically sharing God’s message. Imagine Paul’s ministry (or lack thereof) if he sat in the shame of his past sins. Chasing perfection will only leave us feeling more and more broken. Perfection is an unrealistic goal and God knows this. That is the beauty of Christ’s death and resurrection- we can recognize our sin, accept the gift of Christ, and move forward.

3) Trying to forget our sin without addressing the root

Good ole’ avoidance. This is a crowd favorite, but it’s ineffective. Sometimes healing is more complex than we’d like it to be which leads to avoidance or distraction. It's necessary to work through our feelings about all things, including our own mistakes and sin. Distraction and avoidance often further this cycle of shame.

You are loved and known by the creator of the universe. He did not intend for us to live shame-filled lives but to instead live like we are covered in the blood of Jesus (because we are)!

Skylar Haak, LAPC

If you would like to schedule an appointment or donate to the Barnabas Center for Counseling, please call our office at (912) 352-7638. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts please call the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

barnabascenter.net

11/07/2022

27 Years!

We just celebrated our 27th anniversary for the Barnabas Center for Counseling . It is hard to believe it has been 27 years! The Barnabas Center has been blessed to have so many incredible men and women support us over the years. I have had a wonderful board of directors and incredible staff over this season. Our desire over the years has been to show the love of Christ to all who are hurting. A humble thank you to all who have loved, supported, and prayed for us over the years. We thank God for the opportunity to serve Him each and every day.
God Bless

10/23/2022

One is the Lonliest Number

In a recent 2016 Harris poll survey 72% of the individuals surveyed stated they had an intense feeling of loneliness. Insurance company Cigna has a loneliness index and in a 2018 study they shared that loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 ci******es a day, making it even more dangerous than obesity. I know pretty sobering right! The first question many of you may be asking is why? For others this may be no surprise at all.

In Genesis chapter 3 there is a reference that God literally walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. He created us for connection and fellowship. When we isolate or withdraw we are literally going against our wiring. We have more enticements than ever before with social media, movies etc. We have seen a significant drop off from church attendance since the pandemic. If you only look at the numbers this is concerning! It is no coincidence that there also a rise with reported cases of individuals dealing with depression and anxiety. The CDC is now encouraging all Physicians, as part of their routine checkups with individuals, to ask if there are any issues with depression and anxiety. If you are like me it's easy to be worried about where this is heading!

So what can we do about this? We can connect! Make efforts to find a church home. One of the good things about social media is it does allow you to check out a Church online and watch one of their streaming services to see if perhaps you would like to attend. Another step is to look at your world. By that I mean who do you meet with on a regular basis? Do you have anyone in your life you pray with or for? Are you connected in any activity where you are giving to others? There are many opportunities at the local church whether you visit regularly or not. Just make a phone call and see if there are any needs the church is addressing in the community. As the studies reflect it is not only good for your mental health but your physical health as well.

If you feel stuck and in a routine you just can't seem to get out of we are here to help. If we can be of service call us at 912-352-7638.

Keith Niager LCSW

07/15/2022

Here is a great blog from Suzanne Stangland! Check it out!!

Before Life Gets Hard, Reach Out and Reach Up!

There are lots of ways to prepare for the unexpected. You can save money in the bank for a rainy day. You can create a Plan B in case the original plan falls through. But, how do you prepare for the mental and emotional strain when life takes a difficult turn? But how many of us have a mental file that tells us what to do when a difficult situation ensues such as a layoff, a natural disaster, or a medical problem? What becomes the plan in that split second that nobody prepared for? What is the plan when that dreaded possibility becomes your reality?

The bottom line is nobody knows!

As a mental health counselor it is an understood part of my responsibility to help people learn how to cope with situations that arise. This would be considered a reactive type of coping. A trigger happens and then you must figure out how to handle it. Do you read, take the dog for a walk, or go swim a mile in the neighborhood pool? These are all great questions to ask and everybody needs a list of positive coping skills that will help them calm down in a pinch. But a frequently missed question to ask is “What am I going to do when things are calm to prepare myself for when something unforeseen arises?”
Proactive coping is an idea we often take for granted. If reactive coping or, as I call it, in-the-moment coping occurs after a trigger happens then, naturally, a proactive coping skill would not require a trigger at all. With proactive coping you are making an intentional effort to engage in positive self-care to develop a high level of emotional fitness and capability, which then helps you adjust when the unexpected happens.
Most people probably think proactive coping consists of activities like jogging or baking that one might do to take their mind off the typical stressful culprits. And these would be good possibilities for proactive coping; however, there are also other activities that can be included in proactive coping. Distracting yourself for long enough to give yourself a mental break is great and needed. But have you also taken the time and steps necessary to build a social support system that can assist you through the storm?
Social support is a significant coping strategy. How often have you thought to yourself, “I need to talk to my friend about that,” or called your mom and said, “Hey mom, do you have a minute?” Having somebody there to talk to is a huge relief and benefit. But do these relationships just happen? NO! Relationships that are strong enough to weather the difficult seasons in life require proactive thinking. Now we are not likely to go around thinking, “Oh let me make friends so I have a fallback plan if something goes wrong.” However, building healthy relationships in the calm times and continuing to build on them creates a critical support network for when life is falling apart. You don’t want to be in a situation where you have a need, but no one to turn to. So, if you tend to find yourself resisting the thought of getting out there and meeting people, perhaps think about what you might be missing out on in regards to your own proactive coping.
Another proactive coping strategy is building a strong spiritual life. Do you have a solid relationship with God? Is your walk with Christ one that is tried and true that you have been able to see stay strong and constant in the midst of strife? Work on it now! Get yourself engaged in bible studies or small groups. Serve at the church service you attend and spend daily time in prayer and scripture to learn how God truly works. Creating spiritual habits when things are going well will help you stay connected to God when life takes a turn for the worst. And if you develop a faith that is assured and deeply seated in you then when disaster hits—you will be the rock that stands firm because you are anchored to the Lord Almighty!

I was talking to someone the other day about some things in my life, and they commented, “I guess your faith is getting you through it.” I responded, “Well, yeah.” You see, it is because my faith is strong this unexpected thing just is what it is. In a manner of speaking, life just kept rolling on after the unexpected thing happened. Sure, it was hard. Life is hard, but I know through everything I have already faced that God has always been there. I did not suddenly lean more on Him when times got tough. He is woven into the fabric of my day-to-day life proactively so that I am able to stand firm and resolute when the time comes where that is needed. I also have a strong network of family and friends I lean on for support and wisdom. If you are able to build a strong social network and nurture an unshakable faith in God, you will have what you need to help you navigate the difficult times in your life.

Suzanne Stangland MA, LPC
Barnabas Center for Counseling
Therapist

If you would like to schedule an appointment or donate to the Barnabas Center please email us at barnabascenter1@gmail.com, or call us at 912-352-7638. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts please call the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline Call 1-800-273-8255.

www.barnabascenter.net/blogs/before-life-gets-hard-reach-out-and-reach-up

            There are lots of ways to prepare for the unexpected. You can save money in the bank for a rainy day.  You can create a Plan B in case the original plan falls through. But, how do

05/09/2022

Do You Want to Be Healed?

www.barnabascenter.net/blogs/do-you-want-to-be-healed-1
Check out this blog on our website

Have you ever thought about how difficult it is to change? Sometimes, even if it is a situation we do not like, it can be hard to make the desired changes. When our daughter was 5 years old, she was in trouble (she's been in trouble since then). When my wife and I began talking to her about her beha

04/27/2022

Click the link below to read part 2 of Suzanne Stangland's great blog on how to deal with bullying
www.barnabascenter.net/blogs/bullying-part-2-a-step-by-step-guide-for-parents

04/16/2022

I want to thank all of you for your wonderful prayers and support for our recent golf tournament and silent auction. Many doors will be opened to help others because of your support. Thank you!!

04/05/2022

We understand there was a glitch in accessing our online silent auction site. This has been corrected

02/23/2022

Deep Listening

“Deep listening is miraculous for both listener and speaker. When someone receives us with open-hearted, non-judging, intensely interested listening, our spirits expand.” Sue Thoele

In many ways a therapist’s job can be described as practicing deep listening to other people’s stories. The value and impact of listening is 70% of the healing process according to Christian Psychologist Diane Langberg . Listening without interrupting, without offering a fix, and without quoting scripture or offering platitudes can be challenging, even for therapists. Whether you are a therapist or not, the gift of deep listening to others is an overwhelming need in our fast-paced, busy culture today.

Start with learning to listen more deeply by asking these three questions: What happened? How did you feel? What was the hardest part for you? Then show you are listening by responding in appropriate ways. This may be by looking at them, or by saying words of agreement like “Mmm.” Don’t look out the window or at your watch. Don’t seem impatient for them to finish. If they become overwhelmed give them time to calm down before continuing to listen to their story. Relationships bring us joy, laughter, pain, sadness, the entire realm of emotions but relationships also bring treasured memories and riches that no material object can offer. Deep listening is a gift, and it strengthens relationships.

On a short-term mission trip in Uganda, I experienced this truth profoundly. I spent a day at a boys’ detention center. We (my translator and I) saw twenty-three boys throughout that day. As each came, we invited them to tell us their story. They shared as we listened intently. After they would share, we would ask if we could pray for them and each one let us. We also shared scripture verses or parables that were relevant to their stories at the end. We did not offer these prayers or scriptures before listening to their stories. The impact of being the hearers of those stories was a life-learning experience for my translator and myself. We both walked away changed. Deep listening is an expression of love for the people in our lives, whether they are known to us or people to which we are ministering.

Cathy Clevenger LCSW

To learn more about the Barnabas Center check us out @ www.barnabascenter.net

1. “Suffering and the God of Love” Diane Langberg, Ph.D.

2.“Healing Wounds of Trauma” American Bible Society

02/04/2022

Erin Adams has written an excellent blog on the growth that can come out of being still. Click the link below to check it out!

https://www.barnabascenter.net/blogs/be-still-and-know

Erin Adams, LPC, MAMFT, NCC   I recently watched an episode on PBS of Samantha Brown’s Places to Love: Genesee River Valley, NY. While there, the beloved travel journalist met with Father Isaac from the Abbey of the Genesee which is located in rural New York. They spoke about the isolatio

12/22/2021

Christmas Blog 2021:

Be Present, Be Intentional

Be Still and Know that I am God is a verse found in Psalms 46. This verse personally speaks to me. It tells me not to be so busy, not to be overloaded with thoughts, not to be preoccupied by lingering tasks, but to be still and know that my father is God. My Father is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords is with me always and desires for me to be present with him. In his presence I am awed. However, if one does not take the time to pay attention and be present in mind and heart one could easily miss all of this.

My focus word this Christmas season is intentional. Be present and be intentional with all of my words, my actions and my deeds. This is the time of the year I need to slow down and let those around me know how much I really love them and how my life is so blessed by their presence. And just as I appreciate the time my grown children take out of their busy schedules to be with me, I need to do the same for my Heavenly Father.

My husband asked me the other day what I wanted for Christmas, I replied I have all I need. Through my life I have grown, matured and I am happy (most days) with the person that I have become. Even just a few years ago I would have voiced a lengthy list with all the “must have gifts.” Please do not misunderstand me, I enjoy gifts and love the appreciation and the meaning behind those gifts. What I truly desire is for all my family to be together, laughing, remembering, watching our favorite movies and football bowl games, keeping our rich Christmas traditions alive and making new ones. That is what brings and keeps meaning and joy in my life.

In today’s world there are so many distractions, so many roadblocks. Please do not let that interfere with the real meaning of Christmas. Our Father wants us to spend time with him, and we need to honor Jesus for his earthly sacrifice that brought us eternal life. Take some time, read a meaningful devotional and open your heart and talk with your Father. He provides such amazing peace and will remove such heavy burdens. He tells us his load is light, unburden yourself and truly enjoy the birth of our Savior during this special Christmas season.

Merry, Merry Christmas!
Stacey Mell Eds APC

12/22/2021

Barnaby the Elf winding down!!