Get Help:  (225) 810-3967
Get Help:  (225) 810-3967
RNLF Counseling Services Caring and Compassionate Counseling. Begin your Healing Today. Call: (225) 924-9164
RNLF Counseling Services    Caring and Compassionate Counseling.Begin your Healing Today.    Call: (225) 924-9164 

Our Approach

Our mission is to approach counseling from a Pastoral Counselor, Clinical Chaplain perspective. This practice is inclusive of a wide range of individuals (children, adolescents, and adults) as well as couples and families that come from various lifestyles. We welcome the uniqueness that each person brings into the counseling relationship. We are fortunate to have experience providing services to very diverse populations in a variety of settings. When working with a client, we are ultimately headed towards creating a trusting environment that is conducive to exploring and decreasing emotional distress, maladaptive behaviors and increasing personal wellness. The instillation of hope is fundamental to clients in order to acquire the motivation needed to make change. We embrace cultural competency, and am committed to understanding the importance of the client's worldview, which we believe is vital to the therapeutic process. We welcome the opportunity to assist children, adolescents, adults (individuals & couples), and families with issues that may surface in the cycle of life. Many things can bring a person into counseling/therapy. 

Biblical Counseling

As a practice, we at RNLF Counseling Services strongly believed that the only place for a Christian mental health professional to begin is to adopt an unwavering confidence in biblical basics. We further suggest that the Scriptural standard is authoritative and final. Developing total confidence in the Bible does not negate the need to study secular systems, nor does such confidence alone render one competent to counsel. What it does do, however, suggests that there is something wrong with the person who is to be confronted biblically. It arises out of the fact that there is a condition, which God desires changed. The fundamental purpose of biblical confrontation then is to effect personality and behavioral change-- conformity to the image of Christ. God wants change. All counseling aims at change. Without this element whatever we might be doing, it is not counseling. In the word, "restore" we had a term which required change. Usefulness was lost. The change must take place because of the Christian who is caught in sin (Galatians 6:1). The change that is contemplated in the restoration to usefulness is a change in life patterns in which sinful beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors are replaced by righteous ones (see Ephesians 4:22-24).

  1. All counseling has to do with changes in beliefs, judgments, values, relationships, thoughts, behavior, and other such moral elements of life, and may be defined in short as….1) meeting the person where he is.... 2) pointing out what is wrong.... 3) and helping him obtain the desirable personality and behavioral change -- based upon Scripture.
  2. Problems are solved by verbal means, that is, there must be some Biblical confrontation of the problem at hand.This implies personal, verbal contact in which the Word of God is applied to the counselee. There is no idea here of nastiness, or harshness, or a know-it-all-attitude, in the concept of confrontation. We will deal with this further a bit later. There is training by the mouth, that is, it is a person-to-person verbal use of Scripture-- sometimes by encouragement and sometimes by reproof. There must be a "speaking the truth in love" a truth telling which pleases God (Ephesians 4:15, 25).
  3. There must be the element of concernor otherwise confrontation will be sterile, lifeless, cold, professional, harsh, and probably out of a critical spirit. In this care for another there ought to be strong desire and untiring effort to relieve the person of the misery that sinful life patterns have brought upon him. This is true biblical counseling.

What is Pastoral Counseling

Pastoral counselors are clergy and others who have received graduate training in both religion and behavioral science for a clinical practice that integrates psychological and theological disciplines. A typical program includes a three-year professional degree from a seminary and a master's or doctoral degree in pastoral counseling, with supervised clinical experience and one's own personal psychotherapy. Many pastoral counselors are certified by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), which also accredits pastoral counseling centers and approves training programs. Pastoral counselors also practice in other institutions and in private offices, and they do consultations for community clergy. In most states, no license is required to perform pastoral counseling, and many persons practicing under the title are parish ministers, priests, or rabbis who are not affiliated with AAPC. A national licensing examination is being developed by AAPC, whose members are also accountable to their faith communities.

 

What is distinctive about pastoral counseling as a form of psychotherapy? Most pastoral counselors believe there is a God or divine power in whose image we are created. They believe that we yearn for a transforming connection with the divine and that psychotherapy can mediate the loving and healing nature of being itself Some AAPC members believe in a therapeutic role for spiritual values but not in a divine being. Pastoral counselors may also make therapeutic use of traditional religious resources such as prayer, Scripture reading, and participation in the worship and community life of a congregation. They often pay special attention to the religious history of the client and the client's family, noting how it may contribute either to the pathology or to the resources needed for coping.

 

 


Specialized Pastoral Care/ Clinical Chaplaincy

As part of our Specialized Pastoral Ministry, we reach directly into the primary social structures and institutions
of our world. As they encounter people in the midst of these everyday settings, those who serve in chaplaincy, pastoral counseling and clinical education seek to extend the love of God in Jesus Christ to all people at the point of their deepest need. Specialized pastoral ministers are witnesses of the Gospel in a context of mercy.

 

We extend into such settings as health care, long-term care, mental health, corrections, pastoral counseling, clinical education, rehabilitation and physical medicine, hospice, substance abuse, developmental disability, emergency services and workplace ministry.


Our specialized pastoral ministers assist persons in their relationship to God, to others, and in understanding themselves in the midst of need. Those involved in these ministries declare and demonstrate Christ’s love by providing spiritual and pastoral care, advocacy and opportunities for service.

 

As part of our continuing outreach to our community, to request a visit, feel free to contact us.

 

Our Cognitive Based Counseling Model

From my observation from working with various people over the years in a counseling ministry, I think that people are motivated by three basic dynamics or controlling factors in their lives. There are those who basically are 1) behaviorally motivated. 2) For most people their thought life, (beliefs and misbeliefs) is the controlling dynamic which brings about their behavior. Still others are 3) motivated predominately by their emotions as they react emotionally and then think about their sinful behavior later.

 

The  acrostic- P R E A C H has traditionally served as a great  model.

 

  1. PHYSICAL ASPECTS INVOLVED.
  2. RESOURCES AVAILABLE--Family, Friends, Church.
  3. EMOTIONAL FACTOR--Depression, Anger, Bitterness, etc.
  4. ACTION OR BEHAVIOR--Directive Counseling--Adams' approach-Based on Behavior As The Basic Motivating Dynamic.
  5. COGNITIVE ASPECTS OF BIBLICAL COUNSELINGRecognition of Thoughts and their Effect on the Life.
  6. HOMEWORK-- AN AID TO HELP THE COUNSELEE

 

 

Our System's Steps and Sequence Of Implementation

The Bible-believing pastor must make certain that their counseling is either directly based upon Scripture or is in harmony with it. One's theological tenets will greatly affect his counseling. Thus, the following general presuppositions are very important to RNLF Counseling Services:

 

1.  System’s Guiding Principle’s

  • All counseling has to do with changes in beliefs, judgments, values, relationships, thoughts, behavior, and other such moral elements of life.
    • The Bible is the inspired, inherent Word of God, the final authority regarding faith and practice (II Timothy 3:16,17). It thoroughly equips for living.
    • There is a God before whom we live and to whom we must give account of ourselves. It may be said that more consequences for thought and action follow the affirmation or denial of God than from answering any other basic question.
    • Man's basic problem is a sin problem (Romans 1, Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 51). If we begin with any other basis or foundation, we will not truly be able to bring about the behavior and personality change that God requires of man which is possible only through the work of the Holy Spirit. We must believe that the basic problem is sin and therefore the remedy is Jesus Christ.
    • Man is responsible for his actions. God created man to make responsible choices. God does not excuse man's behavior. Each person is responsible for his or her actions. God does not look for reasons or excuses, so called. He judges man squarely on his response to Jesus Christ and the Word of God (James 4:17; II Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12; 21:8).
      • Pastors have a God-given responsibility to teach, warn, rebuke and admonish the sheep of their flocks (Colossians 3:16; II Timothy 4: 2).
      • Biblical counseling is directive in nature. The Bible is a directive book. Counseling is not just acting as a "sounding board", but it is warning, challenging, giving advice, guiding, admonishing and even rebuking
      • All problems fall into three categories-- organic, satan, or spiritual. One's emotions are not an entity in themselves, rather they are connected to one's thinking and behavior. Change one's thinking and behavior and one will change the emotions.

2.  Goal’s

  • Our primary goal is task of assisting the counselee in becoming mentally and spiritually whole in a manner which will facilitate cognition and actualization.
  • Any problems or maladjustment will evidence itself in improper thinking or improper behavior, and doubtless both are involved, although the thinking is not as apparent.

3.  Steps and Sequence of Implementation

  • Determinative Profiling:
    • Determinative Profiling is a biblically focused "examination" or "testing" of the individual's past and present state of being.
  • Comparative Silhouetting:
    • Comparative Silhouetting is the process of using the data gathered during Determinative Profiling in such a way as to obtain an outline of the individual's past and present state of being over against that of the biblical norm.
    • From this "comparative silhouette", a revealing picture is developed which, when assessed, will provide the counselor a base from which to determine counseling need and potential.
  • Redemptive Confrontation involves both explanation and possible demonstration of how the individual's present state of being may be the result of the failure or success of having lived in accordance with the standards of God's Word.
    • Redemptive Confrontation may also involve pointing out what may be expected in the future because of obedience or disobedience to the standard of God's Word.
  • Individual Commitment:
    • Individual Commitment involves bringing the counselee face to face with the need to make a commitment to follow the biblical direction necessary for healing, spiritual rest, and individual wholeness.
  • Personal Conditioning:
    • Personal Conditioning involves assisting the counselee in the initial process of putting into actual practice the biblical principles necessary for healing, spiritual rest, and personal wholeness, and confirming verification of this initial process.

 

Treatment Planning

Counseling is a planned, coordinated process where clients can learn new ways of thinking and behaving. The information gained from the case study is used to establish a behavioral baseline from which both the counselor and the patient can measure future progress to the presenting problems identified earlier in the chapter. This plan contains the client's treatment objectives, goals and measurable outcomes, all laid out in a clear, detailed process.

Marriage and Family Counseling

It is important to recognize the family system. The family system is organized for stability, when its structure is threatened; the family’s sense of stability is threatened. Societal norms and expectations governing behavior and attitudes regarding marital and family life in the U.S. have shifted significantly in the last several decades. These shifts have resulted in several well documented trends during the last half of the 20th century including: decreases in the rate of marriage, increases in unmarried births (especially among minorities), young adults waiting longer to marry, more couples deciding not to have children, and increases in divorce. Unfortunately, the negative aspects of these trends (e.g., economic hardship, single parent homes, etc.) have been felt disproportionately among minority and low-income populations.


It is therefore our approach to focus on relationship and marriage education programs intended to help couples form healthy relationships that lead to marriage and reduce divorce rates. Because we believe, marriage is a divine institution established by God for man’s good. 

Schedule an Appointment

Private Practice

7569 East

Industrial Dr.

  Baton Rouge, LA 70805

 

 Ph: (225) 924-9164    Cell:(225) 508-8319 

  Fax: (225) 924-5479

Email:   

info@rnlfcounselingsvs.net; 

dr_ltennart@rnlfcounselingsvs.net

Online Scheduling

https://live.vcita.com/site/chaplain.l.tennart

 

 

Business Hours

Mon-Fri

9:00am-5:00pm

Sat

(Appt only)

 

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