Our Approach
Pathways Counseling is a Christian counseling practice led by Dr. Jeremy Van Dyken, EdD. We help people with anxiety, depression, grief, addictive behaviors, past trauma, life transitions and the effects of spiritual abuse. We work from a Christian worldview and welcome clients of every belief. Sessions honor the place faith holds in your life, whether it is central to you or not part of your life at all.
What a session is like
Each session lasts 50 minutes and is held over Zoom. After a short intake process, we begin with what brought you here, at a pace that feels safe to you.
Counseling at Pathways is a process, not a set of techniques. Depending on what you are carrying, it might include:
Calming and grounding exercises, when talking about painful experiences feels overwhelming at first
Exploring how you understand grief, since grief follows far more than bereavement or a breakup
Walking through grief at your own pace, as you learn to name your pain and give it a voice
Gently looking at what gets in the way, such as resistance or difficult feelings, and where they come from
How faith fits in
Pathways draws on the tradition of Christian Psychology, developed by Dr. Eric Johnson and others. In plain terms, we use the best of what counseling has learned about trauma, grief, anxiety and relationships, within a Christian understanding of the person.
For many Christians, faith is not one part of counseling among others. It is central to how healing happens. With those clients, sessions may explore how Jesus identifies with their suffering, how they can identify with him, and how even deep loss can find its meaning in the love of the Triune God. These are profound questions, and we explore them together, without pretending to have every answer.
For clients of other beliefs or none, faith does not have to be part of the conversation, and no one is ever pressured.
Meeting online
Meeting online makes counseling possible for people abroad, in remote places, or with schedules that don't fit a local office. It also has limits, and we'd rather tell you upfront:
There are no in-person sessions.
Pathways is not a crisis service. If you are in danger or thinking of harming yourself, contact your local emergency services or a crisis line right away.
We work across time zones, so we'll find a time that suits both of us.
Sessions are in English only.
Training and scope
Dr. Van Dyken is highly trained and credentialed. He holds a bachelor's degree with a major in Bible / theology and a second major in social work, a master's degree in counseling psychology, and a doctorate in counseling psychology, all from regionally accredited institutions in the United States. He is also certified by the Association of Biblical Counselors. Pathways is not a licensed clinical practice, because licensure is tied to individual states and countries while Pathways serves clients around the world. We use clinical counseling methods but do not provide formal diagnosis or medication management. When a concern needs licensed clinical care, we will refer you.
Pathways counsels couples and individuals on marriage concerns. If you'd prefer a marriage specialist, we're glad to refer you.
Confidentiality
What you share in counseling stays private, with a few important exceptions:
Risk of serious harm. If you or someone else is at risk of serious physical harm, we will act to keep people safe.
Children. If a child is being harmed or is at risk, we will act to protect them, which may include contacting the authorities.
Legal requirements. We may have to disclose information where we may be legally required to do so, such as by a valid court order.
Because Pathways serves clients around the world, confidentiality can carry different legal meanings and limits from one country to another. We are also mindful that in some places, disclosing information could itself put someone at risk. We weigh every situation carefully, with the sensitivities of where you live in view.
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.
Questions people ask
Do I have to be a Christian? No. Pathways welcomes people of every belief. For many Christian clients, faith is at the heart of counseling, and sessions give it the central place it deserves. For others, sessions focus on what they are facing, with deep respect for their own convictions.
Is this therapy? It is professional counseling that uses clinical methods, without diagnosis or medication. If you need licensed clinical care, we will refer you.
What does it cost? Sessions are $100 USD each, or $400 USD for five paid in advance. See Fees & Cancellation Policy.
Can you help in a crisis? No. If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or a crisis line.