In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the complex nature of lingering grief, exploring how it manifests in various ways. They share personal stories and insights on how grief can resurface during life milestones. They emphasize the importance of community support in navigating grief, as well as the need for patience and understanding in the grieving process. Ultimately, listeners will be reminded of God's presence and care during times of grief.

• Am I Doing This Right? What Lamentations Teaches Us about Grieving | Journal article by Todd Stryd
• Someone I Know Is Grieving | Book by Ed Welch
• Helping Your Family Grieve | Minibook by Darby Strickland
• When We Hurt Those Who Are Hurting | Blog post by Ed Welch
• How can I care well for someone who is grieving? | Video by Ed Welch

In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the topic of life transitions, sharing personal stories and insights on common struggles, temptations, and opportunities that arise during these changes. They discuss the importance of recognizing God's presence and providence through both big and small changes, and they share some encouragements they've found in Scripture.

Mentioned in this episode: We're excited about the recent release of a handful of books from CCEF faculty:

• When It's Trauma: A Biblical Guide to Understanding Trauma & Walking Faithfully with Sufferers | Book by Darby Strickland
• A Big Change Happened: Helping Children Through Upheaval | Children's book by Darby Strickland
• Helping Your Children with Change: Holding Fast to God During Upheaval | Minibook by Darby Strickland
• Take Heart for Teens: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith | Book by David Powlison

In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the different ways we can experience loneliness, particularly within church community. They explore the importance of recognizing and addressing these emotions, as well as finding ways to move toward those on the margins. They consider some helpful practices and insights on how to navigate loneliness, such as viewing others as family, taking one step at a time, moving outward, and being honesty before the Lord.

Related resources:

• Pushing through Loneliness to Contentment | Conference session by Cecelia Bernhardt
• Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships | Book by Ed Welch
• Community: A Struggle to Fit | Blog post by Darby Strickland

Alasdair and Darby discuss parenting a disabled child.

Alasdair, Ed, and Myriam discuss Anger.

Alasdair and Todd discuss Power in Counseling.

Alasdair and Julie discuss Play Therapy.

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about Borderline Personality Disorder with David Powlison.

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about Liars with Ed Welch.

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about psychology with David Powlison.

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about pastors with Ed Welch.

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about children and technology with Julie Lowe.

Alasdair Groves talks with Julie Lowe about what happens when you report abuse.

In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the challenges and expectations that come with church relationships. They discuss the importance of clear communication, understanding different personalities, and the role of vulnerability in fostering meaningful connections. They emphasize how our future hope and the steadfast friendship of Jesus are a source of comfort and strength in navigating these relationships.

Related resources:
- Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships | Book by Ed Welch
- Community: A Struggle to Fit | Blog post by Darby Strickland
- Expecting Less from Church | Blog post by Ed Welch

Alasdair Groves sits down with Ric Rodeheaver to talk about Existential Psychology.

Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet sit down and talk about OCD. This is part two of a two part series.

Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet sit down and talk about OCD. This is part one of a two part series.

Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet sit down and talk about Psalm 42 and 43.

Alasdair Groves and David Powlison sit down and discuss how meaningful Psalm 103 has been to them.

Alasdair Groves and Julie Lowe sit down and talk about attachment theory.

Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet sit down and talk about some of the best aspects of psychology.

Alasdair Groves and David Powlison sit down and talk about Gender Identity.

Why podcasts? First, we've had a lot of requests asking us to get back on the air. We care about supporting you in life and ministry, so we're making it happen. Second, the podcast format allows us to touch on topics that can be difficult to cover in other forms of media. Those are two good reasons, but at the heart of why we are relaunching the CCEF podcast is because we recognize that biblical counseling is hard. We want you to know that you are not the only one out there that finds it challenging, and we're committed to coming alongside and supporting you in the process. We're in this together.

On today's show, Myriam, Winston, Cecelia, and Laura discuss legal protection in counseling. 

In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the common struggle of engaging with Scripture, especially during difficult seasons. They consider God's patience and gracious intent for our Scripture reading, what it means to engage with the Word even when we don't hunger for it, and creative ways to engage with Scripture, such as through art or memorization. The conversation emphasizes the long-term nature of engaging with the Bible and the significance of community in fostering a deeper connection with God's Word.

Related resources:

• A Host of Scripture for Every Hardship | Podcast episode by Alasdair Groves
• Restoring Hearts to Scripture: Reconnecting with God's Words After They Were Used to Hurt You | Conference talk by Darby Strickland
• Beyond Devotional Doldrums: Using Scripture and Prayer to Foster Intimacy with God | Conference talk by Mike Emlet

Today on the podcast Winston and Myriam sit down with Cecelia Bernhardt and Laura Andrews. They discuss the dangers of falling into the trap of busyness.

Winston Smith and Myriam Hertzog sit down with Ed Welch to discuss a biblical response to tragedy. They answer the question "Is Why? a biblical question?" in response to tragedy.

In this podcast Winston and Myriam sit down with Pastor Bill Smith. They discuss what it looks like to love others in your life, especially when it's hard.

John Applegate joins Winston and Myriam and discusses typical questions in psychiatry. They discuss the some issues and hesitations that Christians usually run into around the topic.

Today on the podcast Winston and Myriam sit down with Dr. John Applegate.

David Powlison answers the question, "How does the Bible connect with everyday life?" in this secend of four sessions at the "Changing Hearts" conference in the UK.

Dr. Tim Lane explores the question, "who needs to change?" in this first of four sessions delivered at the "Changing Hearts" event in the UK.

Yesterday, Alasdair Groves, assistant faculty at CCEF, preached a sermon on Exodus 16. In that passage, the Israelites are wandering in the desert and question God about their lack of food. They fear for their survival and are upset. Likewise, after the shootings in Newtown Connecticut, many of us are fearful and upset. We hope you will be blessed as Alasdair draws on this passage to point us to the goodness of God who continually cares for us. As we cast our anxieties on him, we are more able to trust him for the future and be a people of joy in the midst of a dark world. 

In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss discouragement and its various dimensions. They emphasize the importance of language in articulating discouragement and how honest expression can lead to deeper conversations with God. The conversation also delves into scriptural insights that provide hope and encouragement, highlighting the role of endurance and prayer.

Mentioned in this episode: Looking for biblical counseling training? Check out Westminster Theological Seminary's Master of Arts in Counseling, offered in collaboration with CCEF faculty. You can learn more at wts.edu/mac.

Related resources:
- "Blessed are those who are weary of the struggle." (Matthew 5:3) | Journal article by Esther Liu
- When Life Feels Disconnected from Faith | Blog post by Lauren Whitman
- An Open Letter to a Discouraged Saint | Blog post by Mike Emlet

Today on Help & Hope, Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet discuss the value of the emotions of the counselee in the moment of the counseling session for the process of walking with them to heal from past hurts.

In another "In The Counselor's Room," Alasdair Groves and Julie Lowe discuss how to help a child counselee to build relational bridges with their parents.

Life in a fallen world is painful and broken. As Christians endure hardship and suffering, it is common to feel angry at God in our hearts. Our job as counselors is to help people face the reality of the anger they feel, express it, and repent of it so they can move forward.  Listen as Alasdair Groves and Cecelia Bernhardt discuss how to come alongside and help those who struggle in this way.

This week on Help and Hope, Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet discuss how to take seriously those statements of counselees that might imply intent to harm themselves.

This week on Help & Hope, Winston Smith, Bryan Munnings, Mike Emlet, and Myriam Hertzog discuss the issues that are involved in showing tough love to adult children.

This week on Help and Hope, in a special series called "In The Counselor's Room," Alasdair Groves and Michael Emlet talk about physical issues in counseling.

This week on Help and Hope we continue our special series "In the Counselor's Room" with guest host Alasdair Groves and Dr. David Powlison, who are discussing the importance of helping people find the watershed moments.

This week is a special edition of Help and Hope entitled In the Counselor's Room and is hosted by Alasdair Groves who is joined by Mike Emlet to discuss note taking in counseling.

This week on Help and Hope our host Winston Smith visits with CCEF President Dr. Tim Lane and Myriam Hertzog to discuss the pastor's role as counselor.

This week on Help and Hope our host Winston Smith sits down with Dr. Mike Emlet, Myriam Hertzog and Brian Munnings to discuss a biblical perspective on competition.

In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the interplay between anxiety and the body, discussing personal experiences and insights. They consider the impact of past experiences on anxiety responses, the significance of community, and practical strategies for navigating anxiety in the moment.

Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about our upcoming conference: To Live Is Christ: The Life & Ministry of Paul, where we'll consider not so much the content of Paul's theology, but rather how he did ministry. We'll ask the question, What does it look like when someone does ministry with Jesus at the center of everything? Register before the price increases after March 31. Learn more at ccef.org/2025.

Related resources:
- Anxiety & the Body | Conference talk by Mike Emlet
- "Take a Deep Breath"—How Counseling Ministry Addresses the Body | Journal article by Todd Stryd
- When Your Mind Gets Stuck | Blog post by Ed Welch
- "How do I get over or deal with certain anxiety triggers?" | Video by Todd Stryd
- God & Anxiety: Turning to Him for a Deeper Connection | Podcast episode by CCEF Faculty

This week our host Winston Smith sits down with CCEF president Dr. Tim Lane and Myriam Hertzog to discuss how to love needy, fearful people.

This week our host Winston Smith sits down with Dr. Mike Emlet and Myriam Hertzog to discuss boredom.

This week our host Winston Smith sits down with Dr. Tim Lane and Myriam Hertzog to discuss what makes CCEF cross-cultural.