Overview
Washington Street United Methodist Church offers professional counseling, spiritual direction, and support groups for adults, children, adolescents and families regardless of race, religious affiliation, or economic status. A sliding fee scale is available for those with financial need.
Some of the situations that bring people to counseling are:
• ADD/ADHD
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Career transitions or difficulties
• Coping with separation and divorce
• Depression
• Grief and loss
• Illness
• Improving self-esteem
• Life stage changes
• Parenting
• Physical/emotional abuse
• Relationship difficulties
• Sexuality
• Stress
Sense of Mission and Ministry
God is love and therefore works tirelessly to help us lead lives of physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness. Together with God, we discover our path in life and the courage to travel it.
Even though we believe that a vital spiritual life is as important to wholeness and well-being as good mental health, those seeking mental health counseling are not pressured to embrace Christianity, or to engage in spiritual reflection. These services are provided separately from mental health counseling, or in concert with it depending solely upon the needs and wishes of the client.
We believe that the services we provide are of benefit to anyone undergoing a stressful, difficult or confusing time; wrestling with difficult decisions or possible changes in their life; burdened by unresolved issues that interfere with present relationships and daily life; or feel “stuck” in repetitious, unhealthy patterns and cycles.
Discussing these issues with a qualified professional in a confidential setting helps identify goals and create solutions, improves communication and coping skills, enhances self-esteem, and facilitates behavioral changes that improve mental health.
Classes, groups and spiritual direction vary according to interests and needs and cover such topics as: parenting, grief and loss, managing stress, improving self-esteem, health and wellness issues, traveling our spiritual journeys, coping with separation and divorce, and others upon request.
Our therapist is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (with ten years experience serving adults, adolescents and children), and a Certified Spiritual Director. Counseling sessions occur at the church, 115 South Washington Street, Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314. Contact the church office, 703-836-4324.
The pastors are also available to meet with individuals or groups upon request.
Spiritual direction, sometimes referred to as spiritual friendship, is an on-going relationship in which one person (directee) meets with another person (director) on a regular basis, in order to become more attuned to God’s Presence.
The primary focus of the session is the directee’s relationship with God as it is reflected and challenged by all aspects of that person’s life. Anyone who is hungry for deeper meaning, who feels there must be something more to life than is being experienced now, all those who find themselves touched deeply by the events of their personal lives or the events of our world, all those who have a lot of questions and very few answers may be helped by this spiritual friendship.
The directee assumes responsibility for his or her life with God. This means that the person coming for direction is trying to be serious about some form of intentional prayer and reflection on the God-currents of one’s everyday life and prayer.
Meetings usually last for about one hour. Frequency of meetings is determined by the directee, but at least monthly is the minimum. There is a charge for these sessions which can be worked out individually.
Confidentiality is of utmost importance and will be upheld in all circumstances. Brenda Lyle is a certified spiritual director and a Licensed Professional Counselor. For more information, contact Brenda Lyle or call the church office at 703.836.4324
