Business Details
10 Years
experience
Christ-Centered Counseling Services in Huntington Beach, CA
The Balm of Gilead Ministries is a Christ-centered counseling, education, and resource ministry dedicated to healing and restoring lives through biblically grounded practices. Founded in 2016, our team of certified professionals integrates psychological insights with scriptural truth to address trauma, addiction, relationship conflicts, and emotional struggles. We prioritize trauma-informed care, recognizing the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit in the healing journey. Our services include individual and group counseling, Christ-centered counseling certification programs, and free community workshops designed to empower individuals to overcome past wounds and live abundantly in Christ.With decades of combined experience among our counselors, we emphasize compassion, transparency, and evidence-based methodologies to foster lasting transformation. Our mission is to equip believers to break free from generational cycles of pain and model Gods grace in practical, life-changing ways.
Services
Biblical Counseling
Addiction Recovery
Trauma Therapy
Counselor Certification
Women's Workshops
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- Our trauma-informed approach integrates psychological expertise with biblical truth for holistic healing.
- Certified counselors hold advanced credentials in addiction, co-dependency, and biblical life coaching.
- Free community workshops address root causes of emotional and spiritual bondage.
- Comprehensive training program certifies counselors to serve globally in church and nonprofit settings.
- Legacy-driven mission rooted in over 20 years of combined clinical and pastoral experience.
What people say
Life-changing guidance
Deep spiritual insights
Supportive community
Effective trauma healing
Biblically grounded wisdom
Services
Biblical Counseling
Our biblically grounded counseling integrates scriptural truth with psychological principles to address trauma, addiction, and relationship conflicts. Certified counselors help clients uncover root causes of emotional pain while fostering spiritual growth. This service empowers individuals to break free from generational cycles of dysfunction through Christ-centered healing.
Addiction Recovery
Specialized recovery programs address chemical dependencies and behavioral addictions through a dual focus on clinical techniques and spiritual transformation. Counselors with state-certified credentials guide clients through detoxification, relapse prevention, and rebuilding healthy life patterns anchored in faith.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma-informed care addresses past wounds causing anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles. Using evidence-based modalities combined with biblical teachings, we help clients process painful memories and develop coping strategies to restore emotional stability and spiritual wholeness.
Counselor Certification
Our 8-month certification program trains individuals to become board-certified biblical counselors through classroom instruction, practicum experience, and fieldwork. Graduates gain skills to lead church counseling ministries, nonprofit programs, or private practices grounded in scriptural authority.
Women's Workshops
Free interactive workshops explore themes like forgiveness, co-dependency, and emotional freedom through video teachings, group discussions, and scripture application. These sessions provide community support and practical tools for overcoming lifes challenges in a faith-based environment.
People
Cecilia Trent
Director of Counseling
Board-certified counselor with expertise in trauma recovery and addiction treatment. Combines clinical experience with pastoral care to guide women toward spiritual and emotional healing through Christ.
Sarah Armstrong
Addictions Counselor
Specializes in Christian co-dependence and addiction recovery. Uses personal transformation journey to connect with clients struggling with substance abuse and emotional bondage through faith-based interventions.
Rudy Swigart
Men's Ministry Counselor
Ordained pastor and trauma healing facilitator addressing men's unique mental health challenges. Focuses on rebuilding identity in Christ while tackling issues like anxiety, shame, and relational conflicts.
Mai Swigart
Women's Life Coach
Overcame war trauma to become a certified life coach helping women heal from abuse and cultural oppression. Blends personal resilience with biblical principles to restore self-worth and purpose.
Patty Molina
Group Therapy Leader
Certified specialist in co-dependency recovery. Leads support groups that combine scriptural teachings with practical strategies for breaking destructive relationship patterns and finding freedom in Christ.
Questions
What types of counseling services are offered?
We provide individual and group counseling for trauma, addiction, relationship conflicts, anxiety, and spiritual growth using biblically integrated approaches.
Are counseling sessions confidential?
Yes, all sessions maintain strict confidentiality within legal and ethical boundaries to create safe, trusting healing environments.
Do you offer online counseling options?
Yes, virtual sessions and self-paced online workshops are available alongside in-person appointments for greater accessibility.
How can I become a certified biblical counselor?
Our 8-month certification program includes classroom learning, practicum experience, and 2040 hours of supervised fieldwork with flexible online/in-person formats.
Are there financial assistance programs?
The James Fund provides subsidized counseling for those with financial needs, honoring our founder's legacy of accessible Christ-centered care.
What workshops are currently available?
Free workshops include 'Hurting Hearts Restored' for emotional healing and 'Rooted Hope' for overcoming life's challenges through faith.
Reviews (6)
Lydia E.
Jul 10, 2018
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The balm of Gilead has been such a blessing in my life. After my experience I believe everyone should go though this healing process of understanding ones past and allowing Jesus to work in your life! While I am still working on finding compete freedom the balm of Gilead has given me the tools to be able to understand how to tap into the lord's grace and understand why I react and feel hi he based on my past! I can not recommend them enough! I plan on retuning for pre-marital counseling with my fianc! This ministry is truly a blessing from the lord! The counselors works well with your
Brianna D.
May 26, 2018
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The Balm of Gilead was instrumental in God's plan to bring me into greater freedom in Him. It was such a blessing working through all that God wanted to redeem with the help of wise counsel. The program is incredibly unique and profoundly life changing should you put in the time to read the assigned scripture, pray, and do the homework each week. I am eternally grateful for Terese and BoG for everything!
Melody E.
May 19, 2018
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Dude, literally been recommending this to EVERYONE who wants to be free from their past and truly made new in Christ. So much is carried around that is unbeknownst to us until we take the time to actually dig through everything and throw out the bad from our lives.
Kira K.
May 16, 2018
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My counselor was Terese. She called me about a week after filling out the interest form on their website. I was kind of nervous when she called, but I was ready to heal. I was ready to go into the nitty gritty with a stranger because I trusted God and Terese built trust with me on that first phone call and our first meeting. She told me on the phone what the counseling was going to be like. It is hard work. And it is all worth it. I have never felt freer than after going through Biblical counseling with Balm of Gilead. My mind began to see the chains and strongholds-lies and deceptions and
Renee F.
May 16, 2018
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I was unfortunately unable to continue attending because my commute was too difficult. However, I did meet with Tereze and was absolutely comforted by the fact that I was being cared for by another Christian. As well as faith, I think this ministry cares for the deepest parts of your healing and does so with purpose and a thought-out method. Loved that there is a storying aspect to the whole process. Wish I lived closer!
Kaitlynn M.
Apr 27, 2018
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When I first came to the Balm of Gilead I didn't really know what to expect. I was a little bit nervous and hesitant because I had not done counseling in years and I had been through so much since then. But I felt comfortable as soon as I walked in! The office is so cozy. It has a feel to it like you are at home. It doesn't really seem like a counseling office at all, it's very welcoming. The building is really easy to find and there's always lots of parking. The counselor I was assigned to was Terese and she was amazing! The first time I met with her she made me feel really
