“All things are possible with God" a statement we as believers reference quite often when we are faced with a mountain— an issue that seems, well, impossible. These words are written on the walls of the hallway leading to the Lake Avenue Counseling Center because we know that sometimes healing from our past can be so difficult that it feels impossible. You, or someone you love, might be suffering from the loss of a loved one, an unexpected lay off from work, the crippling pain of divorce, or simply struggling silently and alone, not quite sure of what to make of your pain. Times like this can leave even the most devout among us feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or depressed.

A Personal Story

Back in 2020, I felt like life’s pressures were caving in on me. With the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc among the masses, the riots sweeping across the nation in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy, and helplessly watching the wildfires ferociously torch our Monrovia “backyard” (the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains), life felt cruel.

At that time, I was pregnant with my fifth child, drowning in thoughts of inadequacy as I tried to manage “homeschooling” my three school-aged children (as a result of the lockdown), meet the demands of my toddler, and make it to the more-than-usual prenatal appointments expected of mothers of “advanced maternal age.”

Although my husband and I clung to God like Saranwrap during that time and felt His presence ever near, I was still silently suffering from something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

One day, after gazing out the window for what seemed like hours, my husband walked in from work, and I told him with tears welling in my eyes, “Honey, I think I need to see someone.” He nodded and we embraced.

As a pastor’s wife, I wasn’t sure if my admission meant that I somehow lacked faith or was sinfully impatient for God’s timing to heal, but the support I received from my husband, my pastor, was the fuel I needed to move forward. I began therapy with a Christian therapist for the first time in my life. That experience helped me get out of that sense of feeling “stuck.” God had sent me more help. Sound familiar? (See Gen. 2:18 & John 15:26) I look back on those days, a changed woman, and like Jacob in Genesis 28, I think to myself, surely the Lord was in that place, because for me, it was, indeed, holy ground.

At Lake Avenue Counseling Center, we offer a safe space for individuals to explore the possibility of hope, healing, and growth. We prioritize confidentiality and respect to provide a secure space for people to discuss their experiences and challenges without judgment. Our therapists are dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome challenges, develop interpersonal strengths, and cultivate resilience. We provide individual, couples, and family therapy and treat a variety of mental health issues, including grief and loss, anxiety, and depression.

If you or someone you know is in need of a safe place to begin their healing journey, please contact our counseling facility. Our intake line is: 626.844.4794. Or they can fill out a form online at the Counseling website and get in touch with us that way.