At Karis Counseling Services, our mission statement is “Transforming Hurting Hearts by a Gracious Hope.” That mission is to bring hope in the struggle - whether this be the internal struggle of depression and self-doubt that rages inside many of us, or the relational struggles that often divide marriages and families, or even larger structural issues that make living with the necessities of life difficult. We seek to bring hope and healing to all of these realities. And through this hope, help our clients live their lives through lenses of beauty and grace—thus becoming more fully human.
Our name “Karis” is from the Greek word that means “grace”. Whether it be the heart of our counseling approach, how we seek to serve our clients, or our overall approach to our work, grace is a key component of Karis Counseling Services.
"I have known Michael and Sherry Coggin for over twenty years. In that time, I have observed the wonderful impact they have had on people they counsel and on other counselors they work with. And in that time, I have observed that Michael and Sherry do the best counseling because of who they are as people. They are grace focused, caring, knowledgeable, skilled, and respectful of all.
If you are looking to be involved with a counselor, Karis Counseling is a solid choice, because Karis counseling counselors are safe, helpful, growth enhancing people."
Daniel W. Zink, Ph.D.
Director of Counseling, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO.
OUR APPROACH
"What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like."
— Augustine of Hippo
It is in the context of the therapeutic relationship that the client’s story is explored, the roots and consequences of problems uncovered, and restoration takes place. In the exploration of our client's stories, beautiful and painful places are discovered, celebrated, and grieved; wholeness and integration becomes possible, and individuals begin to find their story woven into a grand Story of hope and redemption. At Karis Counseling we seek to provide a place where clients can know that they are not alone as they engage their stories.
The process of counseling can take many different forms and a variety of theories and techniques may be employed. Though we have been trained and influenced by various writers and thinkers, both inside and outside the Christian tradition, we are primarily and ultimately guided by the wisdom and truth found in the Christian Scriptures.
