Counseling

Counseling is available through the Center  by Rev. Dr. Mark Lee Robinson.  Mark is the Director of the Center and the developer of Creative Conflict Resolution.  He is a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.  He maintains standing in the St. Louis Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ through a four-way covenant through Pilgrim Congregational Church.  

While his church is an important part of his life and he is happy to discuss matters of faith with his clients, religion will not be a feature of the consultation unless it is raised by the client.  Clients of diverse faiths or no established faith have comfortably and profitably worked with Dr. Robinson during the twenty-five years that he has been in practice.  

People seek counseling for many reasons.  Some have a general sense of discomfort in their lives and come looking for some spiritual guidance.  Others have specific problems in their personal or professional lives for which they want counseling.  And some are aware that there are deeper issues in their life experience that persistently get in the way of more satisfying relationships and they come for psychotherapy.  

As there are many reasons why people seek help, there are many modes of working that may be appropriate.  Dr. Robinson was trained in psycho-dynamic psychotherapy through a joint program of Eden Seminary and Care and Counseling.  He is well versed in cognitive behavioral therapy and is trained in the use of EMDR for addressing trauma.  He is trained in the use of Internal Family System therapy having completed the Level Two training.   

Whatever the tools for therapy, the most important feature in a successful counseling experience is the quality of the relationship between the client and the therapist.  You are encouraged to interview any potential therapist before beginning a course of therapy.  Initial consultations with Dr. Robinson are available at no charge.