General Session Speakers
Timothy St. John
Jason Kovacs
Pete Potloff
Workshops
Foundational Truths for Biblical Counseling
In these workshops we will focus on essential principles, theology, and the biblical framework for counseling.
Workshop Session 1 – Saturday @ 10:45
Jason Kovacs
Union with Christ: Implications for Counseling
Presented by Jason Kovacs
This workshop explores the profound biblical concept of union with Christ and its transformative role in counseling. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how this doctrine shapes views on human identity, sin, and salvation, providing a robust framework for addressing the heart issues in counseling. Practical strategies for applying the truth of union with Christ in counseling settings will also be discussed.
Union with Christ: Implications for Counseling
Presented by Jason Kovacs
This workshop explores the profound biblical concept of union with Christ and its transformative role in counseling. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how this doctrine shapes views on human identity, sin, and salvation, providing a robust framework for addressing the heart issues in counseling. Practical strategies for applying the truth of union with Christ in counseling settings will also be discussed.
Jason Kovacs
A Living Hope: Understanding the Distinctives & Importance of Biblical Hope
Presented by Pete Potloff
In times of struggle, individuals often seek hope through counseling. This workshop will explore key biblical truths about the nature of living hope and how it sustains believers. Participants will discover practical ways to help others experience and live out this hope and experience it in their daily lives.
Pete Potloff
A Living Hope: Understanding the Distinctives & Importance of Biblical Hope
Presented by Pete Potloff
In times of struggle, individuals often seek hope through counseling. This workshop will explore key biblical truths about the nature of living hope and how it sustains believers. Participants will discover practical ways to help others experience and live out this hope and experience it in their daily lives.
Pete Potloff
Shauna Van Dyke
Sharing Scripture in Counseling with Wisdom
Presented by Shauna Van Dyke
Using Scripture effectively in counseling requires humility and discernment. In this workshop, participants will explore six common pitfalls of mishandling Scripture in counseling and learn practical approaches for intentional thoughts, close observations, and bringing careful discussion to the text. The goal is to equip counselors with the tools to use God’s Word effectively while providing comfort, direction, and hope.
Sharing Scripture in Counseling with Wisdom
Presented by Shauna Van Dyke
Using Scripture effectively in counseling requires humility and discernment. In this workshop, participants will explore six common pitfalls of mishandling Scripture in counseling and learn practical approaches for intentional thoughts, close observations, and bringing careful discussion to the text. The goal is to equip counselors with the tools to use God’s Word effectively while providing comfort, direction, and hope.
Shauna Van Dyke
Understanding Counseling Care in the Church
Presented by Tara Cox & Emily Dempster
This workshop will explore the unique role of the church in providing counseling care. Participants will gain insights into how the local church can create a culture of biblical care and support, including integrating formal counseling ministries with the everyday discipleship and pastoral care of the congregation. The session will address practical ways to equip church leaders and laypeople for counseling and to begin developing a culture of care.
Tara Cox
Emily Dempster
Understanding Counseling Care in the Church
Presented by Tara Cox & Emily Dempster
This workshop will explore the unique role of the church in providing counseling care. Participants will gain insights into how the local church can create a culture of biblical care and support, including integrating formal counseling ministries with the everyday discipleship and pastoral care of the congregation. The session will address practical ways to equip church leaders and laypeople for counseling and to begin developing a culture of care.
Tara Cox
Emily Dempster
Applied Biblical Counseling: Case Studies & Practical Scenarios
These workshops will focus on practical real-life applications, case studies, and interactive problem-solving through God’s Word.
Workshop Session 2 – Saturday @ 1:30
Timothy St. John
Gospel-Centered Strategies for Counseling Shame
Presented by Timothy St. John
Shame is often an invisible barrier in counseling, preventing people from opening up, building relationships and seeking help. This workshop will provide Gospel-centered strategies for addressing shame, exploring its roots and offering a pathway to healing and freedom through Christ. Participants will not only be introduced to the basics of counseling those dealing with shame, but also provided with a vision for how the entire church can work together to remove shame from community life.
Gospel-Centered Strategies for Counseling Shame
Presented by Timothy St. John
Shame is often an invisible barrier in counseling, preventing people from opening up, building relationships and seeking help. This workshop will provide Gospel-centered strategies for addressing shame, exploring its roots and offering a pathway to healing and freedom through Christ. Participants will not only be introduced to the basics of counseling those dealing with shame, but also provided with a vision for how the entire church can work together to remove shame from community life.
Timothy St. John
Biblical Foundations for Trauma-Informed Care
Presented by Jason Kovacs
The church is confronted with numerous stories of trauma, leaving many counselors feeling overwhelmed by the weight of helping. This workshop explores how the Bible presents a powerful narrative of restoration, offering a comprehensive framework for trauma-informed care. Participants will discover how biblical principles can be applied to understand and address trauma, providing practical insights for guiding and supporting those who have experienced deep hurt and suffering.
Jason Kovacs
Biblical Foundations for Trauma-Informed Care
Presented by Jason Kovacs
The church is confronted with numerous stories of trauma, leaving many counselors feeling overwhelmed by the weight of helping. This workshop explores how the Bible presents a powerful narrative of restoration, offering a comprehensive framework for trauma-informed care. Participants will discover how biblical principles can be applied to understand and address trauma, providing practical insights for guiding and supporting those who have experienced deep hurt and suffering.
Jason Kovacs
Justin Greene
Walking Through the Valley: Understanding & Navigating Grief’s Journey
Presented by Justin Greene
This workshop will explore the unique journey of grief, identifying the consistent markers that shape the process. Counselors will learn what needs to be understood and what needs to be said. Drawing from the story of Job and contemporary case studies, participants will gain insights into recognizing these markers. Attendees will learn tools to guide individuals from despair to worship, equipping them to place their hand in the Lord’s and trust His presence through the valley.
Walking Through the Valley: Understanding & Navigating Grief’s Journey
Presented by Justin Greene
This workshop will explore the unique journey of grief, identifying the consistent markers that shape the process. Counselors will learn what needs to be understood and what needs to be said. Drawing from the story of Job and contemporary case studies, participants will gain insights into recognizing these markers. Attendees will learn tools to guide individuals from despair to worship, equipping them to place their hand in the Lord’s and trust His presence through the valley.
Justin Greene
The Heart of Bitterness: Confronting Self-Righteous Attitudes in Counseling
Presented by Michael Van Dyke
Bitterness, often rooted in deep wounds, can become a stronghold that distorts relationships and hinders healing. The temptation is to remain in that hurt with an embittered heart. In this workshop, participants will examine the story of Jonah as a case study in addressing bitterness and self-righteousness, observing his progression from presumption to prayers, from petitions of self-righteousness to his attitude toward God’s providential grace.
Michael Van Dyke
The Heart of Bitterness: Confronting Self-Righteous Attitudes in Counseling
Presented by Michael Van Dyke
Bitterness, often rooted in deep wounds, can become a stronghold that distorts relationships and hinders healing. The temptation is to remain in that hurt with an embittered heart. In this workshop, participants will examine the story of Jonah as a case study in addressing bitterness and self-righteousness, observing his progression from presumption to prayers, from petitions of self-righteousness to his attitude toward God’s providential grace.
Michael Van Dyke
Specific Issues in Counseling: A Deeper Understanding
Workshops on counseling related to specific challenges will deepen attendees’ understanding of these relevant issues.
Workshop Session 3 – Saturday @ 2:45
Timothy St. John
Gospel-Centered Strategies for Counseling Church Hurt
Presented by Timothy St. John
When church leadership fails, it can leave deep scars. When unrepentant sin is accepted in the community because of the leadership’s silence, support, or even participation in the sin, where do someone go? This workshop will focus on how to counsel those hurt by their church, providing Gospel-centered strategies for helping individuals process their pain and restore their relationship with Christ and His body. Counselors will learn how to walk alongside those who have been betrayed or wounded by the very community meant to care for them.
Gospel-Centered Strategies for Counseling Church Hurt
Presented by Timothy St. John
When church leadership fails, it can leave deep scars. When unrepentant sin is accepted in the community because of the leadership’s silence, support, or even participation in the sin, where do someone go? This workshop will focus on how to counsel those hurt by their church, providing Gospel-centered strategies for helping individuals process their pain and restore their relationship with Christ and His body. Counselors will learn how to walk alongside those who have been betrayed or wounded by the very community meant to care for them.
Timothy St. John
Coping Strategies: Replacing Our Flawed Strategies by Understanding the Character of God
Presented by Kristin Silva Linder
Throughout Scripture, the Lord consistently uses imperfect means to point to His greater, redemptive purposes. In this session, participants will explore how God’s character guides us to understand the limited strategies we often rely on to navigate pain and suffering and will unpack the profound hope that Christ offers, rooted in His perfect love and care. As counselors, participants will discuss practical, gentle, and meaningful ways to reflect God’s grace and guide counselees toward the fullness of hope found in Him.
Kristin Silva Linder
Coping Strategies: Replacing Our Flawed Strategies by Understanding the Character of God
Presented by Kristin Silva Linder
Throughout Scripture, the Lord consistently uses imperfect means to point to His greater, redemptive purposes. In this session, participants will explore how God’s character guides us to understand the limited strategies we often rely on to navigate pain and suffering and will unpack the profound hope that Christ offers, rooted in His perfect love and care. As counselors, participants will discuss practical, gentle, and meaningful ways to reflect God’s grace and guide counselees toward the fullness of hope found in Him.
Kristin Silva Linder
Beth Claes
Counseling Children & Adolescents
Presented by Beth Claes
This workshop addresses the unique dynamics of counseling children and adolescents, focusing on their developmental needs and common challenges. Participants will explore effective approaches to counseling young people, the importance of parental involvement, and practical tools for fostering engagement during sessions. The workshop will emphasize how we can help younger counselees connect with Christ and the hope we have in the Gospel through counseling.
Counseling Children & Adolescents
Presented by Beth Claes
This workshop addresses the unique dynamics of counseling children and adolescents, focusing on their developmental needs and common challenges. Participants will explore effective approaches to counseling young people, the importance of parental involvement, and practical tools for fostering engagement during sessions. The workshop will emphasize how we can help younger counselees connect with Christ and the hope we have in the Gospel through counseling.
Beth Claes
Pursuing Peace in Marriage Conflict: A Gospel-Centered Approach
Presented by Aaron & Angi Greene
As counselors, it’s common to encounter couples with conflict and disunity in their marriages. This workshop is designed to provide Gospel-centered strategies to guide couples through the challenges of marital discord. The session will explore how the Gospel offers a framework for peace, providing practical tools to help couples resolve conflicts in ways that honor Christ.
Aaron & Angi Greene
Pursuing Peace in Marriage Conflict: A Gospel-Centered Approach
Presented by Aaron & Angi Greene
As counselors, it’s common to encounter couples with conflict and disunity in their marriages. This workshop is designed to provide Gospel-centered strategies to guide couples through the challenges of marital discord. The session will explore how the Gospel offers a framework for peace, providing practical tools to help couples resolve conflicts in ways that honor Christ.
Aaron & Angi Greene
