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Wellness

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Wellness

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Wellness

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”.

Psalm 34:18

This page contains a list of Christian mental health professionals and counselors that we recommend. It’s important to know that seeking help from one of them does not replace our need to develop our own “spiritual immune system.”

Healthy spiritual formation comes from studying your Bible, developing good habits like daily Personal Worship, remaining connected with a loving community of fellow Christians, and receiving God’s wisdom and guidance from your pastors.

There are times when we need more specialized help, however, and turning to one of these trusted professionals would be a wise choice.

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Children & Teens

If you are seeking counseling services for a child, adolescent or teenager, we recommend the services of our ministry partners at 4KIDS of South Florida. You can learn about their EPIC (Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, and Character) Therapeutic Approach by clicking on the following link:

4Kids of South Florida
psalms

Recommended Viewing

Family Worship is a weekly devotional plan which equips your family to build upon the gospel truths your child learns Sunday in church. We include scripture, questions, and activities for you and your child to engage with throughout the week. It is our goal to give you tools to help model a personal worship practice for your children. 

Take Me there

Recommended Profesionals:

Espe Jacobson, M.A., M.S.

I am happily married for 32 years to my first love and am a mom of 4.  After a career as a teacher for 17 years, I began pursuing a degree in biblical counseling and ACBC certification with the intent of being able to help my high school students navigate the teen years. The more I learned how God’s Word has answers to all of our struggles (He did create us after all!) the more I knew I wanted to pursue biblical counseling full time.  I truly believe “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” 1 Peter 1:3  It is my passion to show women the incredible hope and healing available to them through Jesus Christ.

  • B.A. in Psychology
  • M.S. in Education
  • M.A. in Biblical Counseling
  • ACBC Certified (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors)

Pierina Curran, M.A.

After receiving my Doctorate in Medicine, I worked in the medical field for over twenty years.  Because I am fascinated with, and passionate about, understanding the inner emotional struggles of human souls, I studied and received my Master’s in Counseling Psychology in 2011.  Subsequently I left the medical field to focus solely on counseling, giving guidance to children, adolescents, adults, and couples.  I primarily utilize a multicultural, integrative counseling approach which considers the affective, cognitive, behavioral, physiological, social, and spiritual aspects of human beings. I am always pursuing further education and training in the areas of trauma, grief, and play therapy for children.

Our minds have been created with an inner capacity for healing. Therapy is a learning experience that can change the way people think and remember events that have affected their lives. This process can bring about a great sense of peace and happiness to the human heart.

For as he thinks within himself, so he is. (Proverbs 23:7, NASB)

My desire is to help individuals and families to renew and heal their minds so they can live the abundant, purpose driven life that God has designed for us. I believe that we have been wonderfully and carefully created by God, and He has given us life principles to transform our mind, attitude, character, and actions. As a therapist, I respect spiritual diversity and welcome people of all belief systems.

There is hope for this journey: A renewed mind and a new beginning. If you need help with this, I would love to hear from you.

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor
  • Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology (Trinity International University of Florida)
  • Doctorate in Medicine (Republican University in Uruguay)
  • Certified Family Trauma Professional (International Association of Trauma Professionals)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Trauma
  • Grief
  • Marital counseling
  • Parent-child relational problems
 

Dr. Don McCulloch

I was extremely fortunate to be raised in a Christian home, then attended and studied psychology as an undergraduate at a Christian college before receiving my Master’s in counseling at Wheaton College. Convinced I had more to learn, and to be better equipped to minister to others, I earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Since 1991, my practice of psychology has been my ministry to fellow members of the Christian community. I work with adults struggling with anxiety and depression, sexual addiction, and I have been a provider of marriage counseling for almost 30 years. I have a passion for helping men become better husbands and leaders in their homes. My own experience as a husband of 34 years and the father of four awesome kids influences my work.

“The Gospel changes everything.” This statement guides how I approach the relationship between my faith in God and my practice as a psychologist. It defines the world Christians inhabit, one where the sacrifice of Christ fully forgives all our sins, and where the Father wholeheartedly loves us, yet the effects of the Fall remain. We still struggle to conquer sin in our lives and deal with the pain and suffering that will be with us until we return to our real home, which is heaven.

The primary sources of help for our journey are God’s word (the Bible) and Christian community. When we suffer and struggle with mental confusion, temptations, marital strife or addictions, we should look to these sources of help first, not second. However, it requires wisdom to know what helps and what can harm. This need for understanding is why seeking a Christian psychologist, or Christian mental health professional is a decision of paramount importance.

 

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  • Professor of Psychology and Counseling, Palm Beach Atlantic University
  • Dealing with later life transitions (issues with adult children and late in life losses)
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Pornography addiction
  • Perfect Circle:  A Husband’s Guide to The Six Tasks of a Successful Contemporary Christian Marriage by Don McCulloch (Available at Amazon.com)
  • Spanish River Counseling Center (website)

Dr. Heather Clark

If I had passed organic chemistry as a pre-med student, I would likely never have learned of Health Psychology, a field within Clinical Psychology that focuses on the interplay between the physical body and the mind. From that point on, my bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, internship, and residency were all focused on Health Psychology and all completed at secular institutions. Along the way, God blessed me with a wonderful and supportive husband and our first child. Then, thoroughly trained and ready to leap out into the world, God put another perfect turn in the road for me–my second pregnancy. I was delighted to spend our second child’s infancy at home, dive into a church home again, and reignite my faith-walk alongside other women. It was during this work hiatus that God revealed I was to couple my lifelong faith with my education and experience in psychology. God made it abundantly clear that my desire to come alongside people in their hour of need would be limited if I relied exclusively on what I learned from a dozen years of training. If I wanted to give people lasting hope, I would need to point to the One who offers eternal hope. It is my humble privilege to use both empirically supported psychological science and truths of scripture to help Christian clients conquer their struggles and make lasting healthy changes in their lives.

The focus of Christian counseling is care of the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Therefore, I utilize truths found through scientific research (e.g., behavioral and health sciences) and scriptural truth to help Christian counselees live healthy lives in accordance with biblical values, Christian beliefs, and eternal hope

 
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Licensed Psychologist (PY 7620)
  • Visiting Professor of Christian Counseling, Knox Theological Seminary
General Psychology
  • Life Transitions/Adjustments
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Anger
  • Trauma
Health Psychology (This is the understanding of how biology, behavior, emotion, cognition, and social context influence health and physical illness.)
  • Chronic Pain Management
  • Coping with Chronic Illness
  • End-of-Life Care
  • Grief and Loss
  •  
  • Website: drheatherclark.com
  • “Minister Well,” a monthly newsletter for ministry leaders, can be viewed and subscribed to through her website.
  • Community Resources: Grief Share, Trees of Hope, Celebrate Recovery

Dr. Richard Faulk, M.D.

  • Board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology in Psychiatry
  • B.A. in Philosophy, Wheaton College
  • M.D., Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine (Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society)
  • Psychiatric Residency at UNC Chapel Hill
Treating Children, Adolescents, and Adults
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Social Phobia
  • Panic Disorder

Jason Beaupied, M.A., M.S.

  • M.S. in Counseling
  • M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies
  • Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (IMH 16239)
  • Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (IMT 2756)
  • Adjunct Professor, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Psychology
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Life and Career Transitions
  • Couples and Marriage Counseling
 

Ashley Kirkman, M.S.

Making the decision to begin therapy is not an easy one. I understand the inner tension between the desire for healing and the fear of being vulnerable and exploring the dark unknowns of your story. My true passion is walking alongside those that choose to walk into the darkness of their story in search of light. During our time together I will provide a safe space for you to share your burdens, heal, and experience renewal.

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Student Education from the University of Central Florida. After college I worked as a middle school teacher to students with emotional/behavioral disabilities. This work made me realize my passion for helping teens and those who have experienced trauma. I returned to school and received my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Through my Master’s program I had the privilege of counseling survivors of medical trauma, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. I also worked with teens who were at risk for entering the juvenile justice system.

I have lived in Fort Lauderdale for almost 10 years and have a heart for this city and its people. I look forward to starting this journey with you. 

  • M.S. Counseling, Palm Beach Atlantic University
  • Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (#16749)
  • Trauma
  • Children/Teens (ages 9+)
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Narrative Therapy