Counseling for Christian Cross-Cultural Ministry Workers
Pathways Counseling offers online counseling for Christians in cross-cultural ministry who are living and working intentionally outside their home culture, and for their families. Many serve through churches, business, education, healthcare, aid and development, or faith-based organizations. Sessions are with Dr. Jeremy Van Dyken, held over Zoom in English, at a time that works across time zones.
What people often bring to counseling
Culture stress and the fatigue of always adapting
Loneliness, and distance from family and familiar support
Burnout after giving more than they had
Conflict within a team or organization
Strain on a marriage or family living abroad
Grief over repeated goodbyes, and the losses that come with every move
The stress of living with insecurity, unrest, or a crisis they witnessed
The weight carried by those working in international human rights advocacy: exposure to injustice, risk to themselves or the people they help, and outcomes they can't control
Re-entry: returning home and finding that home no longer feels like home
Questions of faith when the work abroad hasn't gone as they hoped
Adult third-culture kids making sense of growing up between cultures
How counseling can help
Life abroad can be meaningful and hard at the same time, and the hard parts are often difficult to talk about with colleagues, supporters or family back home. Counseling gives you a confidential place to slow down, name what you're carrying, and find a sustainable way forward, whether you're staying, moving on, or returning home.
Why Pathways
Dr. Van Dyken was a professor of psychology in the Middle East for ten years. He has worked internationally for much of his career, including in sensitive human rights work, so he knows from experience the pressures of building a life and doing difficult work far from home. Pathways is built to work across borders and time zones. Read more about Our Approach to Counseling and Dr. Van Dyken's Background.
Privacy, wherever you live
What you share in counseling stays private, with a few exceptions explained on our Our Approach page. Sessions are held on Zoom. No online platform is completely private, so if you live somewhere sensitive, we'll talk through the safest way to meet.
For organizations
Pathways is open to partnerships and collaborations with churches and organizations whose people serve abroad. Because Pathways is an independent organization, separate from any U.S.-based organization, partnering with us means you don't need to hire counselors as your own staff, along with the home-country employment and labor-law obligations that hiring would bring. For partner organizations with significant counseling needs that refer clients regularly, we can offer a reduced rate. Individuals can also contact us directly through our Scheduling Page.
Questions people ask
Can sessions fit my time zone? We strive to be available when you are, and we offer session times that work across time zones for clients around the world.
Will my faith be part of counseling? If you want it to be, yes. For many Christians living abroad, faith is at the heart of what they are carrying: their calling, their questions, and their relationship with God when things are hard. Sessions give it the central place it deserves, never as a quick fix. Pathways also welcomes people of other beliefs living abroad.
Can you help in a crisis? Pathways is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or a crisis line.
What does it cost? Sessions are $100 USD each, or $400 USD for five paid in advance. See Fees & Cancellation Policy.