Counseling & Retreats
Whatever you are looking for, we are here to help.
Freedom & Life Services
We offer these services as Concentrated Counseling Intensives and local hourly counseling at our Buena Vista, Colorado location or online through secure video.
Why Choose Us
What Makes Freedom and Life Counseling Different?
The Freedom and Life Counseling approach is a full integration of clinical and spiritual tools and techniques. We believe psychology offers a number of proven tools that can greatly aid the healing process. We also believe that when Jesus said He came to “heal the broken in heart” (Luke 4:18), He meant what He said. By integrating both clinical and spiritual, much more insight, healing, and progress can be achieved in a shorter period of time. This is no “over promise.” Our process of integration involves extensive and ongoing training for our counselors on the latest effective clinical psychology methods of treatment. It also involves their personal faith journey to grow in healing prayer, listening prayer, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We like to think of this concept as having a toolbox of diverse tools, but allowing the Holy Spirit to determine which one to use, when to use it, and even how to use it. If this is coupled with a willingness to allow God to speak, reveal, and heal in the ways only He knows best, the benefit to overall mental health is significant.
It is not unusual for someone to come to one of our programs having already tried traditional hourly counseling over many months (or years), and yet find far more insight and healing here. To be clear, we are firm believers in hourly counseling attended weekly, and we almost always recommend it as part of a plan for returning home. The breakthrough you are looking for often requires a concentrated retreat format, and our program has proven effective over hundreds of clients and many years.
What We Offer
Our Intensives
In-Person and Online (video)
Each of our programs provides 25 total hours of counseling. They are designed to help you find breakthrough while also providing ongoing support as you reenter life back home. The focus, structure, and healing of a retreat format allows greater movement towards freedom and life and is often the equivalent of several years of traditional, hourly counseling.
Five-Day Program
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Three hour sessions each day with a Licensed Professional Counselor.
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25 Total counseling hours.
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15 counseling hours face-to-face
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10 follow up sessions (phone or video) after you return home.
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Psychological assessments and testing, as needed or requested.
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Confidential environment (special accommodations can easily be made for those with a celebrity or fame status requiring special care).
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Healing prayer and listening prayer specifically for you.
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Renewed spiritual connection with God and the help to continue to experience His closeness after you leave.
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Deep understanding of root causes and core beliefs affecting your mental health.
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Skill development (as needed) in areas such as communication, conflict resolution, and addiction recovery.
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Equipping for the journey home and forward in life, including daily habits, walking-out in freedom, and resiliency against future issues.
2. Monday through Friday begin at 9am or 1pm (you will be given an exact time at registration).
3. Participate in session for three hours (breaks included!).
4. Remainder of day is yours to enjoy or complete any extra tasks. We consider the beauty, recreation, and relaxation of the Buena Vista area part of the therapy!
5. Your program ends on Friday at the conclusion of your final session.
The Freedom and Life Counseling Method
Over many years of clinical and spiritual experience, we have developed an overall approach to integrated mental health treatment. This model provides an explanation for how most of us find ourselves in need of healing, and it also provides a framework for moving forward in freedom and towards the life you long to experience.
How You Got There
What To Do With It
Where It All Leads
- Wounds/Trauma Happened ->
- Messages Received ->
- Agreements Made ->
- Core Beliefs Established ->
- Behaviors Changed ->
- False Self Created ->
- Find & Acknowledge Them ->
- Identify and Clarify Them ->
- Break the Agreements ->
- Replace False with True Beliefs ->
- Change What You Do ->
- Grow in True Identity ->
- No Longer Holds Negative Power
- Becomes a Powerful Testimony
- Things to Watch Out For
- Refined and Strengthened Over Time
- Grows Into Christ-Like
- Produce Fruit for His Kingdom
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
At this time, participants are required to arrange their own housing. The Buena Vista, Colorado area is a vacation destination for people from all over the world and has a plethora of hotels, AirBNB, camping sites (RV and tent), cabins, and other vacation rental options. The town of Salida is about 20 minutes south and lodging options there can help during the busy season. We are currently arranging a permanent housing option for our attendees, and the lodging page will be updates immediately when these are available. If you encounter severe difficulty in finding affordable (or available) lodging, contact us and we may be able to help.
The easiest and quickest way is by rental car. We are approximately 2.5 hours from the Denver Airport and 2 hours from the Colorado Springs Airport. While some shuttle options exist, they are expensive and very time consuming. Most people prefer to rent a car and make the drive themselves. Having a car allows you the option of experiencing more of the area and gives you the flexibility to travel to/from the airport at your convenience. If a rental car is not an option, an internet search of shuttles from the Denver or Colorado Springs airport will provide you with companies that provide that service. They change frequently and so do their prices. If you choose a shuttle or bus, please be aware it can take 4-6 hours to reach Buena Vista or return to the airport.
If you have anything, such as a journal, that you feel would be helpful to carry with you, you are free to do so. If your counselor has any specific request they will let you know. Otherwise, arrive as rested and ready as you can.
Yes, especially with the five day program. Outside of the sessions you may have some exercises or reflection to complete, but your free time is considered part of our program and we encourage you to experience what the area has to offer. In the three day program there is less time outside of sessions, so if you want to spend time on a local activity, we suggest planning an extra day before or after your program.
We understand things can happen (especially in a COVID world). Last minute notifications will likely result in a non-refundable registration fee. The earlier you can notify us, the more options we have to reschedule or otherwise work with you to find a better option. Our heart is to accommodate and enable you to be here, so we will work with you as best we can to avoid difficult situations. Getting in touch as soon as possible is your best option. The closer to your arrival, the harder it is to make accommodations.
Life can and does happen to our counselors as well, and while their disruption to your schedule is extremely rare, things may happen. If this occurs, we will make every effort to accomplish your retreat. If we simply cannot, we will work with you to find a way to reschedule, discount, or refund your registration on a case-by-case basis.
When you register, you will be notified which session you are scheduled to attend. Sessions are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis unless you arrange for something in advance. Keep in mind there may be another participant in the other available session and it may not be possible to move session times.
We typically recommended coming alone if you are coming for individual counseling. However, in some cases it may be beneficial to have your spouse come with you for support. We would leave this decision to you.