Robert Meeks (’06)
In his first ministry experience after finishing the Christian Counselling program at Kingswood, Robert Meeks had the opportunity to do some counselling as the Assistant Pastor of the Community Wesleyan Church in Monticello, Maine. This experience helped to further sharpen his call as a Christian counsellor.
“I realized there was a huge need in the Christian community for well-trained, well-educated counsellors and therapists,” said Meeks, who later pursued further training by earning the M.A. in Counselling degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. “I learned that most pastors don’t have time to really engage in the intensive work that counselling requires. They also don’t have the training needed or the awareness of great referral resources in their communities.”
“God was calling me to be a competent (spiritually and psychologically) counsellor who could work closely with local churches or Christian communities,” continued Meeks.
After obtaining his M.A., Meeks became a Licensed Professional Counsellor Associate and began working at Focus on Relationships, a Christian private practice in Lexington, Kentucky. Last winter, Robert and his wife Kate (Patterson ‘06) moved to Barrie, Ontario, where Kate grew up. As a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, Robert now works for Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County as a “Walk-In/ICF/EAP Clinician.” He is a therapist in three of their walk-in clinics around the region. He is also a counselling resource for pastors in the Central Canada District of the Wesleyan Church or for their families if they are in need of counselling services.
Laura (Hamm ‘08) Schible
Following her graduation from Kingswood, Laura Schible earned the M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and Addictions Counselling degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. During her studies, she worked at IWU as a graduate assistant and was hired as a Life and Career Coach/Adjunct Faculty for the Center for Life Calling and Leadership at IWU. Schible also become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counsellor in the state of Indiana. She holds a national certification in counselling as well.
When Laura and her husband Zach (FS ’08) started to have children, she left her full-time work and pursued a clinical position as a marriage and family therapist and addictions counsellor at Life Center Counselling Services. Wanting to have more interaction with clients, Schible became a behavior specialist in an alternative education classroom for elementary and middle school children and the mental health consultant for Early Head Start through Carey Services. This organization provides advocacy for lower income families in our county and surrounding counties. She also continues her adjunct work at IWU by teaching online courses for the adult studies addictions counselling program.
We asked both counsellors to reflect on the training they received at Kingswood.
Meeks: “Kingswood absolutely gave me a solid foundation for graduate school. I found myself often referring back to research papers I had written or recalling conversations with various professors about a particular topic. I noticed right away that I didn’t need any sort of “catching up” or refreshing. To my delight, I already possessed some of my required texts because they had been required reading at Kingswood. While seemingly a small joy, this gave me a sense of confidence. I knew if I had succeeded in my program at Kingswood, I also had a great shot at doing well at Asbury.”
Schible: When listing the strengths of KU’s counselling program, Schible also appreciated being taught by a professor that not only knows his field but also has first-hand experience. Other strengths included the small class environment that offered her the ability to hone her skills through constructive criticism, and the supervised ministry experience (internship) that provided her first-hand experience.
“Above all, I love that Kingswood has remained true to a Biblical foundation. I am a faith-based therapist, and I have the knowledge of how to integrate my faith with therapy because of my training at Kingswood.”
We also asked, “How does a Kingswood education influence you or make a difference in you as a professional today?”
Meeks: “Getting the quality education I did in the environment in which I did has enabled me to be a person who can practice counselling with integrity, according to my professional college and their standards, and to my spiritual beliefs. I know other professionals who feel unable to integrate their theological and psychological understanding; however, I almost find it to be a non-issue. And, that is easily attributable to the foundation given to me at Kingswood.”
Schible: “Who I am as a professional directly correlates with who I am personally, and so much of the who was formed through my relationships at Kingswood. The staff took an interest in me, in who I was as a person. They loved me the way Christ calls us to love. And because of that, I am better equipped to love others in return and to show them the hope that is available through Christ.”
“I thank God for the blessing of going to Kingswood,” continued Schible. “And, I encourage students who want not only a solid education but also an authentically Christ-loving environment to attend there.”
Learn more about the Christian Counselling program at Kingswood.
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