Welcome
When life feels heavy—emotionally, relationally, or spiritually—you don’t have to walk through it alone. At The Rooted Soul, we're here to help you find healing and hope by anchoring your life in the truth of God’s Word.
The Rooted Soul is a ministry of First Church dedicated to Biblical counseling and spiritual formation, walking alongside individuals as they pursue healing, growth, and wholeness in Christ.
Through Christ-centered care, we create space for people to process life’s challenges, deepen their faith, and experience transformation rooted in God’s truth.
We approach life issues differently. We don’t use the Bible as a weapon or a quick fix. Instead, we listen well, walk alongside people, and gently bring Scripture into the conversation, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the deep work in the soul. Our Biblical counselors are trained and certified to apply God’s Word to life’s struggles with wisdom, compassion, and care.
Whether you are navigating a difficult season, seeking guidance, or simply longing to grow deeper in your relationship with God, The Rooted Soul is here to support you every step of the way.
Why Biblical Counseling?
Life is often more complex and heavy than we expect. You may find yourself:
- Carrying anxiety, grief, or disappointment
- Struggling in relationships or navigating life transitions
- Feeling stuck in patterns you don’t understand
- Wrestling with identity, purpose, or worth
Biblical counseling offers something deeper than quick solutions, it invites you into lasting transformation.
Through Biblical counseling, you can:
- Understand your heart in light of Scripture
- Learn to replace lies with truth
- Gain insight to the whys behind your struggles
- Experience the healing presence of God in your story
- Grow in spiritual maturity and emotional clarity
Our goal is not simply to help you cope, but to help you become rooted and established in the love of Christ.
Inquire About an Appointment
Taking the first step can feel difficult, but it is also an act of courage and hope.
If you’re interested in meeting with a Biblical counselor or learning more about spiritual formation opportunities through The Rooted Soul, we would love to connect with you.
269-983-1524
2612 Niles Ave
St. Joseph, MI 49085
info@therootedsoul.org
You don’t have to navigate this alone. There is a place for you here.
Learn More
Sessions focus on walking alongside individuals as they apply the truth of Scripture to real-life challenges. While not clinical therapy, they are intentional, relational, and rooted in truth. The goal is not simply insight, but transformation—helping people experience lasting change by being deeply rooted in Jesus. Sessions last 50–60 minutes, and the number of sessions varies based on individual needs, the scope of care, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Biblical counseling and pastoral counseling share a common foundation in Scripture and a commitment to spiritual care. Pastoral counseling is typically more informal and arises within an ongoing shepherding relationship. Biblical counseling, by contrast, is more structured and consistent, focusing on specific issues over time through the intentional application of Scripture. It also includes personalized homework to support growth between sessions. In this way, biblical counseling builds on pastoral care by providing a more focused setting for deeper, sustained work.
Individuals are thoughtfully matched with counselors based on their needs, life experience, and, when possible, areas of specialization, helping foster trust, understanding, and effective care.
The cost of each session is a suggested donation of $60, which is less than half the cost of a typical professional counseling appointment. No one will be turned away, we will work with what each person can afford. However, everyone is asked to contribute something, even if it is as little as $5. This approach maintains dignity while encouraging personal investment in the healing process and honoring the time and preparation of our Biblical Counselors. These donations also help cover the center’s costs so we can continue serving our church family and community.
Biblical counseling and professional counseling both seek to bring healing and change, but they differ in foundation and approach. Biblical counseling is grounded in the authority of Scripture, viewing God’s Word as sufficient for addressing spiritual, emotional, and relational struggles, with a focus on heart transformation through a growing relationship with Jesus. Professional counseling is typically based on psychological theory, clinical research, and state-regulated practices, often emphasizing diagnosis and evidence-based treatment. These approaches are not in competition and can be complementary. Christian professional counselors may often blend this scope of care with some scripture when they are not limited by the state in which they practice.
In situations when needs extend beyond the scope of Biblical counseling, we refer to, or collaborate with trusted, biblically grounded professionals. Our Biblical counselors are trained to recognize when this is necessary, including situations involving medication, abuse, addiction, or complex clinical concerns.
Historically, counseling was part of the church’s discipleship and pastoral care. Modern professional counseling developed later as a clinical discipline. Our desire is to work with Christian professionals when needed, while faithfully offering Scripture-centered care within the context of the church.
Every Biblical counselor at The Rooted Soul is intentionally selected through prayer, personal invitation, or recommendation by a campus pastor, and each has been personally vetted. Counselors come with prior experience, often including areas of specialization.
They then complete nearly two years of training, which includes a 10-week online cohort, extensive video-based instruction, required readings, background checks, and a written exam featuring over 50 theology essays reviewed by our certifying board at Relational Impact Ministries in Texas. In addition, they complete approximately 150 hours of observed sessions, along with preparation and follow-up work.
Biblical counselors at The Rooted Soul operate within a clear structure of accountability, not independently. They receive ongoing support, guidance, and collaboration as needed, along with monthly training and continuing education to maintain certification. An advisory team of individuals includes a licensed professional counselor (LPC) along with other professionals with medical and legal expertise, which provides additional oversight.
The Rooted Soul does not seek to replace licensed professional counseling. When needs fall outside our scope—such as complex mental health conditions, medical concerns, crisis situations, or cases involving certain medications, active abuse, or addiction—we refer individuals to trusted professionals. These considerations are addressed during the intake process, where individuals are carefully assessed and matched with a counselor. We also follow HIPAA guidelines and use a secure system to protect personal information.
Our role is to come alongside individuals, helping them apply Biblical truth to real-life challenges. When appropriate, we connect them to additional support within the church such as spiritual formation directors, DivorceCare, GriefShare, Celebrate Recovery, and to trusted community resources trained for needs beyond our care.
Simply send an email to info@therootedsoul.org and our intake specialist will contact you soon.
