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The mission of our Counseling Ministry is to glorify God and help others remove barriers that prevent a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

We provide Lay Counseling, Stephen Ministry, outside professional referrals, and a variety of support groups. This outreach of God’s love is for any individual who is hurting, both in the congregation and in the community.

The Scottsdale Bible Counseling Ministry provides care to our church family and community in times of need. We are a confidential, no-fee facility. We do not consider our Counseling Ministry to be a crisis center, but rather, a short-term biblical counseling ministry.

If you have any questions regarding our services, please call the Counseling Ministry at 480.824.7239, Monday through Thursday.

Get Directions

David Walther

PASTOR OF COUNSELING
counseling@scottsdalebible.com

Request for Services

To apply for services (age 18 and over), please submit both forms below, and you will receive a call within 5 business days. For marriage counseling, each spouse must submit both forms.

Office Policies & Privacy Notice Request Form

If this is an emergency, please dial 911 or Mercy/Maricopa County Warm Line at 602.347.1100, Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 602.222.9444 or Empact at 480.784.1500


 

Our services for those 18 and older include:

Stephen
Ministry
Lay
Counseling
Marriage
Counseling
Support
Groups
Community
Resource Referrals


Upcoming Events


Lay Counseling

What is Lay Counseling?

Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

The Scottsdale Bible Lay Counseling Program equips volunteers to provide distinctively Christian counseling at a lay level. Lay Counselors, using basic counseling skills such as active listening, empathic responding and questioning skills, meet with their assigned counselee on a weekly basis for 10 weeks at the Scottsdale Bible Counseling Office.

 

Lay Counselors are committed to:

  • Bible-based compassionate care
  • A goal-focused approach
  • Confidentiality
  • A maximum of 10 meetings with a counselee
  • Supervision by a Professional Counselor or Social Worker
  • Continued education opportunities and skill-building

Lay Counselor training provides:

  • 60 hours of initial training over six months
  • Interaction with peers to practice the new skills
  • Extensive training in empathy, life challenges, mental health, ethics, and confidentiality

To become a Lay Counselor, the commitment requires:

    • Application forms during summer 2024
    • A screening process that includes an interview and background check
    • $160 fee, which provides books and training materials
    • Weekly class attendance for six months

 


Are you a Licensed Professional Counselor willing to serve in our Counseling Ministry as a supervisor for the Lay Counselors?
We’d love to hear from you!

Get Started


Stephen Ministry

Do you need someone to pray with?  Are you going through a crisis and need encouragement?

Stephen Ministers are a team of lay people who will come alongside you during a life crisis. They provide one-on-one, Christ-centered care to people in need. They will walk with you through grief, divorce, a spiritual crisis or other life difficulties.

Stephen Ministers have been trained to support and encourage anyone who needs comfort and care – for as long as needed. You can be assured that your identity, the caring relationship and the conversations you have with your Stephen Minister will remain confidential.

Watch a video about Stephen Ministry at SBC Apply Now

Stephen Ministers are committed to:

  • Distinctly Christian and compassionate care
  • A process-focused approach
  • Weekly meetings with a care receiver
  • Bi-monthly peer supervision

Stephen Ministry training provides:

  • 50 hours of initial training over six months
  • Interaction with peers to practice new skills
  • Extensive training in listening, empathy, confidentiality, and more

To become a Stephen Minister, the commitment requires:

  • Completing an application (please contact Megan at 480.824.7327 or mmeyers@scottsdalebible.com)
  • A screening process that includes an interview and background check
  • $100 fee, which provides books and training materials
  • Weekly class attendance for six months (Sunday afternoons)

 


Support Groups

The Counseling Ministry provides both education and support through many groups facilitated by lay leaders, most of whom have personal experience with that particular topic.

For more information, please contact Megan Meyers in the Counseling Office at 480.824.7327, Monday through Thursday.

View Support Groups

Marriage in Motion

Do you want to save, strengthen, and safeguard your marriage?

The challenges, frustrations, and disappointments you’re struggling with right now are common to marriage.

Don’t lose hope. Don’t bail in the midst of your discontent. Get coaching. Develop your skills and put them into practice. You can learn to thrive right where you are by participating in these sessions from Marriage in Motion, designed and hosted by professional counselors.

Get Stared

Discovery Series

Anxiety, anger, worry, and doubt are just some of the struggles Christians face. Find resources for overcoming these hurdles that get in the way of true healing.

Sign Up


Counseling Staff

These professionals are employed staff of Scottsdale Bible Church and are here to serve you through our counseling ministry.

 

 

David Walther, Pastor of Counseling
David is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and Christian Studies and an M.Div. with an emphasis in Biblical communication. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in AZ, a Nationally Certified Counselor, an Approved Clinical Supervisor and a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider. David has been on staff at SBC since 2000. He provides marriage and individual counseling. David loves the adventure of following Christ with his wife, Sharon and their children, Simeon and Naomi.

 

Denae Yankowich, Counseling Coordinator
Denae is originally from Calgary, Alberta, and loves the Arizona sun. She has a B.A. from Cal State University, Fullerton, and an M.A. from Azusa Pacific University. She joined Scottsdale Bible Church in 2005 and joined the Counseling Ministry in 2014 as a Stephen Minister and then a Lay Counselor. She loves to hike, read historical fiction, and travel with her husband, Paul.

 

 

Megan Meyers, Counseling Coordinator
Megan began attending SBC in 2016 after moving to Arizona. She has a B.A. from College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Counseling. She joined the counseling ministry as a Lay Counselor in 2020. She loves traveling, musicals, and giraffes.

 

Keegan Krell, Central YTH Care Pastor
Keegan grew up at SBC and earned a degree in Family Studies and Human Development at U of A and an M.S. in Psychology from GCU. In 2018, he began serving as a YTH high school pastor at SBC while pursuing an M.A. in Counseling at Phoenix Seminary. As a Licensed Associate Counselor, his primary focus is working with teen clients, combining his academic background and many years of experience as a youth pastor. Keegan and his wife, Elly, have two children, Beau and Colt, and three dogs. They love visiting Coronado and are avid fans of the D-Backs, Suns, Broncos, and U of A basketball.

 


Domestic Violence Helpline

The words “Domestic Violence” are often difficult words to hear or even to say, however domestic violence exists in our world and often in our own backyard.

People are entitled to love, respect and dignity, and no one deserves to be mistreated or abused. As a church, we are addressing the reality of abuse and violence, and provide a safe place for people to reach out.

We offer a special confidential hotline for victims and survivors of domestic violence as well as friends, family, neighbors, and other concerned individuals who are calling on behalf of a victim or are looking for ways to assist.

If you or someone you know is in a crisis or needs assistance, please call the SBC Advocacy 24/7 Helpline at 480.824.7290.

Emergency Contacts

For immediate emergencies dial 911.

Child and Elderly Abuse

Suicide and Personal Crises

Police

Domestic Violence

Recovery Hot Lines

Other Recovery Contacts

Other Resources

  • Focus on the Family: 800.A.FAMILY (800.232.6459); Counseling Department Direct Line, 719.531.3400
  • Community Information and Referral: 211 or 800.352.3792 (a United Way Agency)
  • National Runaway Hotline (if you have run away or are considering running away): 800.RUNAWAY
  • Covenant House Teen Hotline: 800.999.9999
  • Elder Resource and Referral Line: 800.686.1431