Daphne DeMaris

I felt called to counseling as a teen (being the friend that everyone told their problems to), but it wasn’t until later that I answered that call. Through various business, clinical and ministry positions, experience was gained in adoptions, therapy, management, leadership, urban ministry, discipleship and racial reconciliation.

But, my entrance into the life of a counselor was in an unexpected way. I thought I’d get the most marketable degree, a Master’s in Social Work; but, no, God had other plans. That plan led me to attend and graduate from Ashland Theological Seminary with a Master’s in Clinical Pastoral Counseling in 1998.I worked in business for nine years until God called me to go to Seminary at age 29. Ashland Seminary is where my Master’s Degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling was earned.

Life has a way of throwing curve balls. Learning how to deal with them formed this counseling ministry. To be really honest, some stuff that happened in my life just about killed me. But instead of letting it defeat me, I choose to cling more steadily to the Lord. I continue, to this day, to pursue God and the healing He has for me. God is the ultimate recycler. He can take any horrible thing and make something beautiful and life-giving out of it. Just look at Jesus’ crucifixion for the ultimate proof of that.

Ministry (or as I call it, ‘life in the fish bowl’) is daunting. Living an integrated life, emotionally and spiritually, takes courage and persistence. All the things I have learned and gained are brought to bear on your treatment. Your feelings and life experiences will be carefully handled and addressed by someone who has a lot of life tucked up under her belt. I have won and lost, grieved and healed, and this is how I know that you can, too.