Our executive board and conference team—for whom the conference event is mostly a 24-7 blur of activity and problem-solving—took this bi-annual event to a whole new level. Beyond the many dedicated leaders and knowledgeable people we showcased on behalf of the Christian counseling mission, everything from sound and lighting to graphics and logistics was nearly flawless. Dr. Clinton credits the AACC leadership, noting that “I couldn’t have been more proud of our team.” From Saturday evening throughout the trip home on Sunday, the staff celebrated an unqualified success of the biggest event, by far, that is done by the AACC.

People are already registering for our 2011 Celebrate Your Faith world conference—when we intend to celebrate 25 years of fruitful AACC ministry. To simply report that this capstone celebration is happening just “next year” is revving up an anticipation that should exceed that of any conference we have ever done. If you plan to attend—and we sure encourage you to put this premiere event on your calendar now—get the best hotel and event placements by registering now for this grand AACC event.

The buzz at this world conference—and which will be alive and enriched in 2011—is that it is a great time to be part of this dynamic, flourishing movement we call Christian counseling. As world events race toward what is arguably a possible conclusion of history as we know it, could it be that God has raised us up for such a time as this? If so, let us cleave tightly to Him, to fervently seek out His wisdom, and to listen closely to His voice. Pray for us, and know that we are praying for you.

Lilienfeld’s new book, 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology (which actually demolishes more than 250 myths), also written with Steven Lynn, John Ruscio, and the late Barry Beyerstein, is intended for a general audience and psychology students. However, Lilienfeld says therapists should read it, too, and I am glad I did. He argues that when therapists believe in them, even myths refuted by research can take on a life of their own.

In fact, Lilienfeld and his coauthors insist that the volume of dubious, potentially damaging psychological myths is expanding. The self-help industry publishes more than 3,000 books a year, often taking something with a kernel of truth and magnifying it into broader statements. For example, John Gray’s Mars/Venus series flies in the face of a significant line of research demonstrating that men and women have more similarities than differences in their emotional and cognitive styles. Books on self-esteem perpetuate the myth that high self-esteem inevitably leads to psychological health and low-self-esteem inevitably leads to unhappiness and failure. The Internet and popular media are also fertile breeding grounds for myths.

Therapists, says Lilienfeld, have an obligation to stay on top of research and to question and check the supporting data even—perhaps especially—on the things they assume they “know.” The more we hear something, the more we tend to believe it; but just because we’ve heard something doesn’t mean it’s true.

Many myths come from confusing causation and correlation: the correlation between full moons and increased homicides, for example, seems due not to lunar gravitational power, but to the fact that over the periods studied, more full moons occurred on weekends, when assaults increase. Biased samples often breed myths: for years it was thought that AD/HD was much more prevalent among boys, when, in fact, it may be just as prevalent among girls, although girls usually have the inattentive type that leads to quiet daydreaming, while boys more often have the hyperactive kind that draws the attention of parents, teachers, and therapists. Some myths simply reflect outdated knowledge. Twelve-step programs were once the only widely available treatment for alcoholism and, as a result, many people still incorrectly believe they’re the only effective treatment.

Some Christian counselors are further guilty of overlaying these secular myths with a veneer of Christian and biblical sounding mythologies that are reinforced further by teaching them to our clients. Everything we believe must be assessed against the two primary sources of truth that exist in our world—the Scriptures and science—which reveal both the truths of special revelation and of general revelation.

We trolled the Internet for the best article to answer this question: How do you choose a good Christian counselor? (Yes, as the question implies, there are unhelpful Christian counselors.) Congrats to our friends at CBN/Regent. [The following is from CBN.com, and our friends at Pat Robertson Ministries and Regent University]

When you as a Christian realize that you or someone you love is in need of counseling there are several issues that need to be addressed. First is the stigma that seeking professional help may bring. In certain Christian circles professional help is viewed in a negative light, even when it is Christian. One has to see these counselors as a gift from God to bring His healing presence in your life. Second is the task of finding a competent counseling professional who will truly integrate their faith into the counseling process.

Unfortunately, not everyone who claims to be a “Christian counselor” operates with a personal and professional commitment to Christ-centered soul care. In order for a Christian to make a good decision about a Christian counseling professional, there are some important factors that need to be understood as well as the various options that are available to you.

When choosing the most appropriate counselor for you or a family member or friend there are a number factors that need to be addressed:

The individual’s needs — How severe is the problem? Is it life threatening? Is s/he motivated to get help?

The individual’s resources — The person’s finances, medical insurance, time, their family and other support systems all need to be considered.

The church’s resources — Types of counseling that the church offers, what support groups they have, as well funds to assist in paying for professional counseling all need to be considered.

The community’s resources — What resources are available in the community? Are there competent counselors and psychiatrists available? In addition are there community mental health services that are accessible to this person?

Counseling Roles
In order to choose the most appropriate counseling resource, one must understand the variety of roles within the overall field of counseling. Understanding these will assist a person in choosing what is best for them or the individual they are referring.

Pastoral Counselors — This title is used by many who have a whole variety of qualifications. Most of these people are ordained ministers with full masters or doctoral training. However most people who use the term “pastoral counselor” are ordained ministers with additional training and experience in counseling.

Lay Counselors or Caregivers — Many types of helping ministries have been developed in order to mobilize people in the church to meet the needs of people. Many churches are utilizing a training program such as “Stephen’s Ministry” or the American Association of Christian Counselors’ “Caring for People God’s Way.” In most cases these are free services that the church offers to their congregation and people in the community. This is providing a much-needed service for many that cannot afford professional counseling. However, many churches are being careful to train these lay counselors to know when the must refer to a counseling professional.

Support Groups — These groups are playing a vital role in meeting some of the practical needs of people. These are typically issues based such as addictions, divorce recovery, etc. The group itself becomes a critical source of support for many of its members.

Professional Counselors — These professional clinicians are qualified due to their education, experience, licensure and certification. Unfortunately, each state has different licenses with different qualifications and thus there are few national norms. There are some fairly common terms that are used to describe different professionals, their degrees and their licensing.
Licensed Social Workers (LSW, CSW, LCSW) — These individuals have earned a master’s degree in social work (MSW) or behavioral science. They are preferred by many in state institutions and agencies. They are required to take a state exam, and have a certain amount of clinical experience and supervision.

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) — These individuals generally have earned minimally a master’s degree (MA, MS, M.Ed). They have completed 2000 hours of supervised counseling experience and have passed a state exam. Most insurance companies accept LPC but some prefer the LCSW over them.

Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) — These professionals usually hold a minimum of a master’s degree and specialize in assisting families and individuals overcome relational problems. This license usually requires two years of supervised experience after earning one’s degree.

Licensed Clinical Psychologists (LCP) — These individuals have a doctoral level of education (Ph.D, Psy.D, or Ed.D) and specialize in diagnosis, research, and applied counseling. They have the most versatility and may be private practitioners, school psychologists, institutional or hospital psychologists.

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDC, CADAC) — These counselors have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemical dependency. Most of these counselors use 12-Step programming, and may be in private practice but may also work for private hospitals, state or municipal programs, or outpatient clinics.

Board Certified Psychiatrists (MD, DO)– These are medical doctors who have advanced training in behavioral sciences. They are qualified to prescribe medications and supervise mental health treatment

Tips for Choosing a Counselor
There is a vast difference between a Christian who is a counselor and a Christian counselor. Some counselors use the term Christian because they have learned this may expand their practice. There are a number of things you need to consider before choosing a counselor:
• Which type of counselor do you think would be the best? Choosing between a pastoral counselor, lay counselor or a licensed professional is a choice you must make.
• What is the payment structure? Does the counselor accept insurance payment and is he/she accepted by your insurance? Is there a sliding scale based on ability to pay? Does you church assist people who need counseling?
• Is there a trusted person (pastor or friend) who recommends this counselor?
• What kind of licensure or certification does the counselor have?
• What experience does the counselor have in dealing with your specific issue?
• Does it matter to you if you have a male or female counselor? It is also important for you to know some things about what this professing Christian counselor believes and how that applies to the way that he or she practices their counseling. Psalm 1 declares that, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.” You may call the counselors office and tell them that you would like to ask the counselor some questions before you set up an appointment for counseling.

Some of the information you may be able to get from the office worker:
• What is your general approach to counseling?
• How do you integrate Biblical truths into your counseling?
• Are you involved in a church? Which one and in what role are you involved?
• How do you integrate Biblical truths into your counseling?
• What part does prayer play in the way that you counsel? Do you pray with clients?
• What is their perspective on the miraculous?
• What is their view on certain on any key moral/ethical issues of concern for you. Issues such as abortion, divorce, remarriage, homosexuality, discipline of children, roles of husband and wife.

This is an important decision for you and being thorough in choosing a counselor you or someone you trust doesn’t know. Set up a phone interview with the counselor before you start the counseling process and ask some of the questions we have listed. May the Lord bless you as you seek His healing in your life.

An excellent article in the Journal of Counseling and Development (Summer 2009, v. 87, pp 373-379) considers the application of Christian Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to problems of chronic pain. Noting that pain is comorbid with depression in 54% of all cases, the authors describe the various disabling thought patterns that reinforce pain and chronic pain: black-or-white dichotomous thinking (“any pain at all means I’m having a terrible day”), catastrophic thinking that locks onto the worst possible outcome (“I’ll just die if I go out in this storm again”), and overgeneralizing (avoiding all cars and driving because you were once hurt badly in a car) infect both pain and depression sufferers.

Reviewing the various studies that reduced or managed pain and depression using Christian and religious belief ideas, the authors conclude that religious coping beliefs could have a beneficial impact on chronic pain. The authors noted that seeking comfort from a loving God, religious reframing and distraction, meditation, and prayer all had research support for moderating pain, anxiety, and depression, while improving self-esteem, overall well-being, and life satisfaction. In contrast, religious apathy, religious obsession to the point of apathy, and feeling punished by God were all associated with anxiety, increased pain, and compromised mental health.

The authors, in classic CBT fashion, noted pain-dominated and disabling schemas—especially beliefs about self and God that reinforced attitudes of defectiveness, incompetence, and alienation—and discussed how to dispute those beliefs and substitute religious-spiritual practices for better coping. Prayer, meditating on Scripture, and other individual/internal practices were suggested as well as social activities that flowed out of one’s church relations. The authors also noted religious imagery, visualization, and journaling as effective tools for pain management and control. The authors concluded: “Religiously oriented CBT is a useful framework for addressing dysfunctional religious schemas and encouraging healthy religious attitudes that promote successful adaptation. Such strategies assist with altering core pain beliefs; moderate the physiological experience of chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and fear; and improve self-esteem, self-efficacy, and the perceived quality of social networks.”

If it is true, as much of the punditry world has proclaimed, that the first decade of the 21st century was so bad, then in contrast we have much to excitedly anticipate in this second—this ‘teen’ decade. In 2002 I wrote about the AACC vision, and outlined “Ten Commitments” that I encouraged our entire membership to embrace. At the start of the second decade of the 21st century it is a good time to reprise and upgrade those new millennium thoughts.

The AACC is a professional-ministry organization that God is building—by His design and for His glory—both for the church and for a desperate world. There is simply no other explanation for the phenomenal things that are happening right now in the AACC. We firmly believe that God is constructing a holy, powerful, and radiant church—a beautiful bride fit for the King—and that Christian counseling is called to help complete the construction.

Above all else, this is what we are about—being shaped by God to serve the deepest needs of His church—and we must never lose sight of this divine mandate. Service to His Kingdom must always rise above building the corrupted kingdoms of Self. I believe God is calling every one of us to finish well—to seek Him for the renewed vision and energy to complete with honor what we all have started in choosing this wonderful vocation known as Christian counseling.

Our interconnected, two-part mission at AACC today is exactly the same as it was a decade ago, and when we began this ministry over ten years before that:

AACC exists to bring honor to Jesus Christ by the leading of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father;
And to promote excellence and unity in Christian counseling.

Fleshing out this mission translates to ‘ten commitments’ that we dedicate ourselves and this entire organization to achieving from here on out. These include commitments to:

1. FIDELITY: We worship and are dedicated to the Triune God—to Jesus Christ and his worldwide church, to God the Father, to the Holy Spirit—and to the revelation of this living God in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
2. QUALITY: We will strive for professional and ministerial excellence in all that we do, aiming to produce the highest quality in every product, service, commitment, and ministry we engage in.
3. ACCESSIBILITY: We will strive to be fully accessible to every member in our Association, to the church as a whole, and to a desperate and needy world.
4. SENSITIVITY: We will listen to and strive to respect every varied concern about us in the church and in the world-at-large.
5. INTEGRITY: Ethically, we will strive to always do what is right, to do it honestly and in a timely way, and to admit and correct any problems when we fall short.
6. CREATIVITY: We are dedicated to search for and find the most creative and clear solutions to every need or problem we face in our dedication to serve the church and world community.
7. AUTHENTICITY: We will avoid all triumphal arrogance, and humbly strive to be real—to be sincere and authentic—in all our relationships with our members and with the world around us.
8. ADVOCACY: We are dedicated to promote, advance and defend Christian counseling—and the person of Christ inside the identity—in every legitimate way possible in the church, the professions, government, business, and media.
9. AFFORDABILITY: We will continually strive to keep our costs as low as possible, and to provide you more value for your dollar than any other similar association you may belong to.
10. ACCOUNTABILITY: We will maintain the highest standards of fiscal and ministerial accountability with the church and the world-at-large.

These commitments are doable because of the people we have as members and those who are on board our AACC team. We want to thank each and every one of you for your involvement in AACC, especially the Executive and Advisory boards, and our dedicated staff. Your ideas and support, your contributions and prayers, have been a great encouragement to us and our team. We believe that Christian counseling is transforming into a mature 21st century ministry-profession because of you. You are genuine pioneers in a great work of God’s own doing.

As the newest and most immediate member information resource service of the AACC, the eJournal is dedicated to honoring and glorifying the Triune God as revealed in the Scriptures and Who comes alive in our hearts. We also want to deliver the best and most up-to-date information-a dynamic mix of useful articles and news bits-to be used for improving your own walk with God and your Christian counseling practices and ministries in whatever form they take.

This eJournal is an electronic information service designed to give you and your practice a decided edge as you work out your life and your ministry day-by-day in the 21th century. Please let us know of the impact of this new eJournal-what you like and don’t like-and what we can do to improve it more to your liking-cleaving as closely as possible to the Mission that we note above.

Dear Colleague:

Another year… and another decade. Now that’s hard to believe.

It seems like just yesterday that we were all anxious about the potential for a Y2K crisis. It is amazing how the pages of our lives journey so quickly! As a team, we marvel at God’s blessings on AACC over the last 10 years and are filled with faith-saturated anticipation for what He has in store for this New Year and new decade.

In this President’s Report, I want to review in no particular order some of the wonderful accomplishments of 2009, share some of our leadership and personnel additions, and take a look forward to 2010.

As President of AACC, it is my responsibility and great privilege to share with you how God has blessed the expansive scope of our work and ministry. It is no less than amazing that literally tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of individuals have been blessed through the multi-faceted, counseling-related strategies and initiatives radiating from our national headquarters here in Virginia.

1. On mission: Keeping AACC membership our core focus. Our membership has held strong despite the prolonged economic crunch and continues to hover around 50,000 active members annually, making AACC one of the largest mental health organizations in the world. Our executive team has been working tirelessly to develop and execute a new membership growth and development strategy with a goal of increasing membership to more than 100,000 over the next five years. I am pleased to announce that Dr. Josh Straub has transitioned to become the Director of Membership Relations. He has been tasked with member care, prospecting, renewals, divisions and increasing member benefits and satisfaction. He is already working on a Silver Membership in preparation for the 25th Anniversary that I believe many of you will want to quickly enroll in. Please welcome Joshand feel free to share your ideas and thoughts with him.
   I think you will be very pleased with the upcoming issues of the award-winning Christian Counseling Today magazine:
   • Love, Sex and Romance
   • Law and Ethics
   • Elevate: The New Psychology of Leadership
   • Cancer and Life-threatening Illnesses
2. 2010 National Christian Counseling Conference in Branson, Missouri, a sure sellout. On September 23-26, 2010, we will be taking over the stunning Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa and Convention Center for our biennial National Christian Counseling Conference. Featuring 12 different professional and clinical counseling tracks, three-hour and all-day pre-conference workshops, dynamic keynote sessions, wonderful praise and worship, life-changing workshops, and more, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to network, grow and be encouraged in your counseling ministry. The Chateau on the Lake Resort is almost sold out, so if you plan to attend and stay on-site, make your hotel reservations now by calling 888.333.5253. Overflow hotels are being added right now, so don’t delay. Be sure to ask for the AACC conference discount. If you can only attend one event in 2010, come to Branson!


Click Here to Register!

3. AACC/Premier Live 2 Love Royal Caribbean Cruise set to sail in October 2010. More than 500 AACC members and friends set sail last year on the first ever AACC/Premier Live 2 Love cruise to Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and we had a blast! Attendees enjoyed praise and worship, comedy, times of romance, rest and relaxation, great food, incredible sights and earned continuing education while on board. The response from attendees was so positive that we have booked Royal Caribbean for October 9-14, 2010, and nearly 300 have already secured their cabins. We will set sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and visit Key West, Cozumel and CocoCay Island as a part of our five day journey. New York Times best-selling author, Gary Chapman (The 5 Love Languages), along with world-renown relationship expert, Gary Smalley, Greg and Erin Smalley, and Dan Seaborn, will be our featured speakers. Make plans now to come and learn, relax, and enjoy an incredible week together. Visit www.live2lovecruise.com for more information.
4. 2009 AACC "Grace and Truth" World Conference a Huge Success. A sellout crowd of nearly 7,000 attendees packed the Opryland Hotel once again for the "Grace and Truth" World Conference. Keynote speakers included Christian leaders like: Chuck Colson, Jim Cymbala, Joni Eareckson Tada, John Piper, Richard Foster, and John Ortberg, along with special musical guests, Charles Billingsley, Mandisa, and country music superstar band, Diamond Rio. Comedians Chonda Pierce and Tim Hawkins were also in the house, along with an army of Christian counseling leaders from all over North America and around the world.
5. The 2009 Grace and Truth "Call for Papers" was a resounding success. The response for the "Call for Papers" was simply amazing! More than 500 academic, pastoral, research and clinically-based proposals were submitted. That is more than we have ever received. Our 20 different track leaders and coordinators fielded the best program ever, with over 140 different professional workshops. The 2011 "Call for Papers" will be launched in late summer/early fall 2010.
6. 2011 "Celebrate Your Faith" 25th Anniversary World Conference already underway. A very exciting forthcoming event is the 2011 "Celebrate Your Faith" World Conference. AACC will be celebrating her 25th Silver Anniversary in 2011. Let me say right now that you don’t want to miss this event. Write the date into your calendar now and get ready for the best World Conference ever—one of those down home grand celebrations. If you haven’t made your Opryland Hotel reservations for September 28- October 1, 2011; do it now. The direct line to the Opryland is 1.888.777.6779, and be sure to ask for the special discounted AACC rate. The Opryland Hotel could very well sell out by end of 2010. While I can’t promise everything, I do know you won’t be disappointed. It’s time to celebrate and get ready for the next 25 years.

 
7. Light University ONLINE adding more courses. More than 150,000 students—from all 50 states and all over the world—have now enrolled in Light University’s video-based certificate programs. August 1, 2008, was a historical day for Light University. Four core counseling courses were launched online with fully integrated video, featuring, what I believe to be, some of the best faculty/instructors in the world. That’s significant because most online programs don’t offer the core of the course as video-based, so often the passion and expertise of the professor is lost. Since then, we have seen enrollment continue to climb. This new transition to online education opens the door to reaching our mission of training one million leaders worldwide. All 10 of our core courses are now online. Watch for our new programs on addiction and recovery, pre-marital counseling, life coaching specializations, and more to be added soon. To learn more, check out www.LightUniversity.com.

 
8. Challenging Cancer series to launch April 2010 in partnership with Letters to God theatrical release. Seven different cancer-related programs are set for release this spring, including the Hope Coach Certificate program and small group curriculums for survivors and caregivers. Project Director, Jennifer Cisney, claims it is by far the very best counseling-related product ever produced by the AACC. Pray that God will bless those whose lives have been touched by cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first faith-based cancer project available.Click here to visit the Challenging Cancer web site.
   

   Programs Include…

   • Survivor Project:
     When You have Cancer – 8 Lessons
   • Caregiver Project:
     Offering Contagious Hope & Care – 8 Lessons
   • Tyler Project:
     When Your Child has Cancer – 3 Lessons
   • Papa C. Project:
     When Your Mom or Dad have Cancer – 3 Lessons
   • Barnabas Project:
     Deep Spiritual Wisdom to Fight Cancer – 3 Lessons
   • Grief Project:
     When You Lose Someone to Cancer – 1 Lesson
   • Hope Coach:
     Certificate Training Program – 12 Lessons
9. Continuing Education and Professional Development Available ONLINE Soon. Watch early this year for the release of all continuing education programs ONLINE 24/7. If you need continuing education for professional development, certification or state licensure, you can study at home or the office… and at your convenience.
10. National AACC Headquarters expanding. Our goal in 2008 was to firmly establish a home for the AACC that would offer the technological and media support for 21st century ministry impact. I am pleased to announce that the AACC headquarters moved to our new location in Forest, Virginia, a year ago last November. Expanding from 8,000 to 30,000 square feet of office and warehouse space at the InService America complex, we have localized our entire team and warehousing. In this newly constructed leased space, we have "smart classrooms" for professional on-site trainings, a television and recording studio, a 10,000 square foot warehouse, increased phone and Internet capabilities, and more. This carefully designed progressive step allows us to continue to expand the reach and scope of the good work God has called us to do. We will also continue to push toward the development of our own national campus and AACC headquarters in the near future.
11. Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors (BCPPC) gaining momentum. Nearly 4,000 counselors are now nationally certified through the BCPPC according to Executive Director, Dr. Ken Nichols (Psy.D.), formerly the Dean of Behavioral Sciences for Southern California Seminary. Ken also served as Associate Pastor for Family Ministries at Shadow Mountain Community Church with Dr. David Jeremiah in San Diego, California. The BCPPC offers credentials for professional, pastoral, and lay counselors. Go to our Web site at www.bcppc.net for detailed information or to download your application. As an AACC member and BCPPC credential holder, you qualify to be listed in the Christian Care Network. Don’t miss your opportunity to become a Board Certified Christian Counselor.
 
12. Extraordinary Women (EW) conferences and ministry reaching national prominence. In 2009, EW had its best lineup of speakers ever and held 16 events all over America, including a national simulcast. We held conferences in Tampa, Tulsa, Greenville, High Point, Baton Rouge, Pensacola, Johnson City, Birmingham, Raytown, Roanoke, Ft. Wayne, Ypsilanti, Tupelo, Columbus, Rockford, and Charleston. The EW leadership team is pleased to announce that in addition to the carefully designed platform messages to encourage and minister to women, counseling-related preconference workshops focusing on relationships, emotions, sex and a deeper faith are also being added. Counseling experts Diane Langberg, Mark and Debra Laaser, Cliff and Joyce Penner, Sharon Morris May, Catherine Hart Weber, and many more will lead the way. Pray for God to do a powerful work in 2010. You can learn more at www.EWomen.net.

13. AACC Action: Advocacy Plan and Leadership Team developed. The interplay of culture, faith and government is of crucial importance in our society today. Every major mental health organization in America is involved in protecting (or in many cases—limiting) our freedoms, including, but not limited to, access to mental health care, civil rights, values and more. We have been challenged by our colleagues to develop and implement an effective strategy to influence the Church, state and the greater world community in these areas and intend to do so. We will launch our first efforts this year.
14. Grief, Crisis and Trauma Response Training and Mobilization plans being solidified. Our mission to date has focused on training, educating, equipping, resourcing and mobilizing and army of faith-based "first responders" when tragedy of any sorts arises nationally and internationally. AACC has professionally trained more than 10,000 leaders in all forms of Crisis Response. We are working now with national and international organizations to further develop a more effective faith-based Crisis Response and Mobilization program. AACC helped lead the "faith-based" way in numerous situations over the past few years, including 9-11, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and more.
15. eCounseling.com project exploding into the fabric of everyday life for those seeking Christ-centered care and counseling. Packed full of professional faith-based mental health information, insight, inspiration and access to Christ-centered care, eCounseling.com is quickly becoming the portal for Christian help worldwide. If you are a state licensed mental health provider or small group leader, you need to be a part of this incredible outreach. Visit eCounseling.com to find out how to get started today. At eCounseling.com, you will find topics like depression, anxiety, and affairs addressed, as well as short and long feature video on each topic from some of the world’s leading experts. In addition, recommended resources and services are provided, including access to small groups and Christian counselors from around the world.

16. Radio and Television Ministry expanding. Turn it Around can now be heard every Tuesday (12:05 – 1:00 p.m. ET) on American Family Radio Talk in 143 markets all over America. Built around counseling-related topics and themes, TIA is a live-talk, call-in program and features America’s leading Christian counseling experts. We would love to have you tune in. We will also be delivering prime-time television programming starting in 2010. Our mission is to educate the Church and greater world community on counseling-related issues and connect those who hurt with those who offer the best in Christ-centered care.
17. Wildfire Weekend for Men expands to Six Cities—Partners with Men at the Cross. Last October, 4,000 men attended the Wildfire Weekend (www.Wildfireweekend.com). Featuring special guests, Kyle Petty (Former NASCAR driver and current Fox Sports commentator), comedian Dennis Swanberg, Norm Miller (Interstate Batteries), General Bob Dees (Campus Crusade) and a host of professional athletes and men’s ministry leaders, 4,000 guys showed up—with many father-son teams. Stunned once again by the encouraging response, Team Wildfire is considering six different locations for 2010.
18. Teen Mania Relationship continues. Ron Luce, Founder of Teen Mania and the Acquire the Fire conferences all over America, cares about today’s generations, especially the issues of their hearts. I am very pleased to announce that we are, and will continue, sharing in Ron’s mission to reach out to teens and youth leaders across America. As a result, nearly 3,000 youth leaders became members of AACC last year.



19. AACC Foundation making a difference: Grants $50,000 in student scholarships for 2009-10 academic year. Our primary mission through the foundation is to advance the cause and reach of Christian counseling both here in America and around the world. A number of primary issues include: research and scholarship; crisis training and response efforts to natural disasters and acts of terror; and offering student scholarships, resource development, and making counselor training programs available to those who can’t afford it, especially nationals in third-world countries. AACC must also become a champion for more global issues, such as sex trafficking, the AIDS pandemic, and the persecuted Church.
20. Awakening Movement: Our new initiative for the Student Chapter Division was launched at the 2009 World Conference at an event called Awakening: No Labor in Vain. The huge success of the event was anchored by nearly 1,000 students and over 200 colleges and universities represented. In addition, a portion of the $50,000 in scholarships was given away to the top three Master’s and Doctoral Level students who submitted materials for the poster competition. The winners included Amy Billingsley (1st place, Master’s, Liberty University), Gina Hansen (2nd place, Master’s, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary), Tiffany Hartin (3rd place, Master’s, LU), Mindy May (1st place, Doctoral, SWBTS), Greg Mears (2nd place, Doctoral, LU), and Mark Westin (3rd place, Doctoral, SWBTS).
21. Project Tuza (Rwanda) underway. In June 2009, our executive team traveled to Rwanda, a country traumatized by genocide, to listen and learn from its people. Led by AACC Board Chairperson, Dr. Diane Langberg, the ultimate goal over the next several years will be to teach, train, establish counseling ministries, and provide trauma-based support and resources to counselors, pastors, educators, and the medical community as they struggle to assist a traumatized population. Our hope is that Project Rwanda will become a pilot program that can be replicated in other developing countries around the world.

    Click here to donate to Project Tuza.


22. AACC Publishing and Resource Division. Very few important and needed counseling-related books get published anymore. After much discussion and preparation, we are excited to announce a new series of workbooks, pamphlets, and professional books that are in progress:
    • The Counselor’s Bible
    • The Silver Anniversary "Best Practices" Monograph Series
    • Choosing Effective Treatments in Christian Counseling
    • Competent Christian Counseling (revised edition)
23. "Counseltalk" Professional Video-based Online Counselor Trainings to begin Spring 2010. To help keep our membership abreast of new developments and trends in an economical fashion, we are moving to monthly clinical trainings featuring leading experts "live" via teleconferencing and/or online. Our team is really excited to be able to bring the "best of the best" right to your front door. Watch for more coming your way soon.
24. Increased Leadership. Our primary mission is to help champion a robust counseling movement that is biblically sound, theologically solid and clinically excellent.
    • Board Chairperson — Dr. Diane Langberg
    • Executive Vice President and COO: Mr. Jimmy Queen
    • Vice President and Academic Dean — Dr. Eric Scalise
    • Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors — Dr. Kenneth Nichols
    • Black African-American Division — Dr. Mark Crear
    • Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation Division — Dr. Ron Hawkins and Ian Jones
    • Society for Christian Psychology — Dr. Eric Johnson
    • Marriage and Family Network — Mr. Leo Godzich and Dr. David Stoop
    • Membership Director — Dr. Josh Straub
    • Spiritual Director — Dr. Larry Crabb
    • Leadership Director — Dr. Henry Cloud
    • Clinical Director — Dr. John Townsend
    • International Director — Dr. Archibald Hart
    • Law and Ethics Committee Chairman — Mr. George Ohlschlager
    • AACC Action — Drs. Matt and Anita Staver
    • eCounseling.com — Dr. Anthony Centore and Mr. Ryan Neace

    God is continuing to bring together an incredible team of Godly men and women to help solidify and shape the future of the AACC and Christian counseling.

25. Child Sponsorship programs reach over 8,000 kids now. Without question, one of the most significant AACC efforts to date is that through our excellent partnerships, we have secured approximately 8,000 monthly sponsors for children around the world. That’s nearly three million dollars a year from the AACC family being donated to needy children all over the world.

26. Haiti Crisis and Trauma Response: Our executive response team has been aggressively working to determine a best strategy for trauma response to the disaster in Haiti. Some of the initial phases of the program include debriefing for first responders, probably State side in southern Florida. Pray for wisdom and for God to help bring all the pieces together quickly. To donate to the Project Haiti Trauma Relief Fund through the AACC Foundation, click here.

    Click here to read more about the Project Haiti Trauma Relief Fund.

As we move full force into this new year, let’s pray for God’s clear leading, protection and blessings. He is still on the throne, and it is a wonderful time to be in the "HOPE" business. Let’s come to Him with a "spirit of expectation" this year. Your "Team AACC" has been working and praying feverishly to that end.

Blessings,

Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT, BCPCC
President
American Association of Christian Counselors

Depression is a distressingly common problem in our contemporary setting. Advertisements for anti-depressant medications bear ample testimony to this reality. Statistically, one in four individuals will suffer its pain at some point in their lives. Because of the frequency and prominence of this problem it is incumbent upon those who are committed to the use of Christian Scripture in ministry and counseling to apprehend the practical relevance of biblical resources for the care, and cure (sometimes!) of depression.

Psalm 88 provides a vivid description of depression, much more graphic than the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-IV TR. The Psalmist cried out in the midst of his troubles, from the bottom of a pit (88:1, 9, 13-14). He had been pummeled by unrelenting waves and felt as good as dead—weak and doubting that deliverance would ever come (88:3-7). He was isolated and alone, “shut in” by himself (88:8). Feeling helpless and afraid (88:15), he concludes that “darkness has become my only companion” (88:18, ESV margin).

Depression can be summarized as “an introverted form of suffering that obscures hope.”

Sam Williams, Counseling Individuals with Addictions: Unpublished Class Notes (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Spring 2006). Martin Luther believed that at the root of his depressive moods was, “the loss of faith that God is good, and that he is good to me.” Care and counsel of the depressed begins by encouraging them to express themselves graphically, and then directing them up and out into conversation with God who understands and speaks the (sometimes incomprehensible) goodness of the Good News into their situation through many passages in Scripture.

As an introverted and morbid form of suffering, depression entails an inward focus. Such a gaze finds little hope, as they are discouraged by what they find inside. This is consonant with Romans 3 and 7, which provide a sad but true catalogue of the human state. The problem under consideration there is not isolated to fallen, unredeemed humanity; it extends to those who trust in Jesus Christ. In Romans 7:18, Paul the Apostle writes, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh” (ESV). He concludes the chapter with a desperate cry, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (v. 24). According to Scripture, the deeper one peers into oneself, the worse the situation appears, and of course the deeper the despair. Depression (as hope obscuring and introverted suffering), can be a result of persistent introspection.

So as far as depression is concerned, the most important solutions cannot be found within. Where then is the solution? The first step here is crucial and involves a fundamental change in focus and direction, up and out. There is no light in the pit. Where shall we direct their attention? There are many ways to divert their depressive energy and attention away from themselves. But not all paths are equally worthy of our attention. And at the end of the day, there is only one who can both pull us up and out of ourselves, bring to us true hope, and promise genuine change. Paul’s answers his own desperate question in Romans 7:24 (above) like this: “Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)

It is to Jesus that we must direct the gaze of our depressed brother or sister. This makes good sense. The uniform testimony of Scripture is that we do not have the resources within to solve our deepest problems. We need help from outside. We need someone other than ourselves to step into our lives and rescue us. The Bible teaches that God has done this through Christ (e.g., Romans 3.21-28; 1 Corinthians 1.30). The Protestant Reformers described this as an “alien righteousness:” One that comes from outside of us, not intrinsically our own. Hope and our joy are located not in what we can do, but in what Jesus Christ has done (e.g., Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:13).

By turning attention away from ourselves, and onto Jesus Christ, we begin to break out of the grip of depression. When, like Luther, we forget that God is good to us, we remember the one in and through whom God proved that he is so good to us! When we are drawn into the dark labyrinths of our own souls, light can be found. But such light is outside ourselves, in the one who has redeemed us, pledged himself to us, and given us a living hope! The author of Hebrews urges, look “to Jesus, the founder and finisher of our faith,” and teaches us to “consider him… so that you may not grow weary and fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Some may be inclined to dismiss this solution as simplistic. But pointing depressed people to Jesus Christ, the Gospel of God, is more than simple—it is profound. In 1 Peter 1:12, Peter tells us how angels consider the gospel. It is an inexhaustible wellspring of good news for the depressed. In the gospel of Jesus, they find a solution that apprehends the nature of their problem and supplies simplicity and a type of hope that never ends.

Although this solution is simple, it is by no means easy. The Bible is replete with calls to endure and persevere (e.g., Romans 5:3; 2 Peter 1:6). We don’t have to “endure” things that are easy. In a very real way, the entire Christian life is spent learning to believe the gospel—to look outside ourselves to Jesus—well. And in this struggle, both the depressed and non-depressed walk side by side as companions in the fight that is worth fighting: The fight for faith in God, hope in God, and love for God.

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