Why Biblical Counseling?
At Rooted Church, we believe that the local church is charged with equipping followers of Jesus for all things pertaining to life and ministry. This task is primarily accomplished through the regular rhythms of worship, preaching, and discipleship in various forms. However, in a fallen world, there are seasons of hardship or struggle where it is helpful or necessary to seek out additional help from others.
We hope to provide another layer of support and help for those struggling to navigate life’s challenges.
Nature of Biblical Counseling:
The type of counseling we provide is “biblical counseling.” Convictionally, we believe that Scripture is sufficient to answer life’s questions and give us direction in applying the gospel to the challenges we face. We strive to build strong relationships between counselors, those seeking help, and the local church. While Scripture is our foundation and our guide, we firmly believe that compassion and empathy through shared connections and relationships is essential to help people grow spiritually and emotionally.
We believe that we have a unique opportunity to provide this ministry of care to our community in such a way that will strengthen families and local churches. With one certified counselor currently available, and future opportunities to train others to join this effort, we hope to begin accepting clients in the Spring of 2026.
Cost Structure:
● $75/hour - sliding scale available for low-income families
● $50/hour to members of other Spring River Baptist Churches in the Joplin area
or with a referral from a pastor of a local church
● $25/hour to local pastors and their families
● Free for members of Rooted Church
FAQs:
What types of situations can you help with?
The simple truth is that life is hard. Everybody experiences that in different ways. But we also know that God has equipped us, through a variety of means, to handle these challenges. Whether you’re struggling in your marriage, with parenting, with finances, with personal conflict, or if you’ve just been tossed around by a combination of all of these things and need some encouragement, we’re here to help you and your family walk through this together.
What does a counseling session look like?
That’s difficult to answer in a short space because every session will look a little different. But there are some basic things you can expect. The first expectation you should have is care and compassion. We want to hear your story and ask deep questions to help us understand what exactly you’re facing. You can also expect to be challenged. Counseling is, at its core, a collaborative process where a counselor and counselee take a hard look at the circumstances, give some honest feedback, and look for simple and tangible solutions based on the wisdom of God’s Word.
Will my information/situation be kept confidential?
Confidentiality is a key part of building trust in a counseling relationship. We understand that every situation will be delicate in nature and desire to keep your information as private as possible. With that in mind, we also strive to maintain a safe environment and, at times, recognize it is necessary to share information with others for the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of those involved.
How long does a biblical counseling session last and how often would we meet?
Typically a counseling session will last for approximately 50-60 minutes but may extend a little beyond that timeframe under certain circumstances. The frequency of counseling sessions will vary depending on the needs of the family and the availability of everyone’s calendar. Typically it will involve a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly rhythm.
Will biblical counseling fix______?
The simple and honest truth is that counseling in and of itself can’t fix anything. There is no magic pill to take or magic wand to wave that will cause those problems to go away. The purpose of counseling is not to fix the problems you face but to give you the tools to work towards a healthy marriage/family/work/etc. We believe that, with God, all things are redeemable. There is nothing outside of His ability to fix, and our hope is to point you
to the hope, joy, and peace we can find in Him.
At Rooted Church, we believe that the local church is charged with equipping followers of Jesus for all things pertaining to life and ministry. This task is primarily accomplished through the regular rhythms of worship, preaching, and discipleship in various forms. However, in a fallen world, there are seasons of hardship or struggle where it is helpful or necessary to seek out additional help from others.
We hope to provide another layer of support and help for those struggling to navigate life’s challenges.
Nature of Biblical Counseling:
The type of counseling we provide is “biblical counseling.” Convictionally, we believe that Scripture is sufficient to answer life’s questions and give us direction in applying the gospel to the challenges we face. We strive to build strong relationships between counselors, those seeking help, and the local church. While Scripture is our foundation and our guide, we firmly believe that compassion and empathy through shared connections and relationships is essential to help people grow spiritually and emotionally.
We believe that we have a unique opportunity to provide this ministry of care to our community in such a way that will strengthen families and local churches. With one certified counselor currently available, and future opportunities to train others to join this effort, we hope to begin accepting clients in the Spring of 2026.
Cost Structure:
● $75/hour - sliding scale available for low-income families
● $50/hour to members of other Spring River Baptist Churches in the Joplin area
or with a referral from a pastor of a local church
● $25/hour to local pastors and their families
● Free for members of Rooted Church
FAQs:
What types of situations can you help with?
The simple truth is that life is hard. Everybody experiences that in different ways. But we also know that God has equipped us, through a variety of means, to handle these challenges. Whether you’re struggling in your marriage, with parenting, with finances, with personal conflict, or if you’ve just been tossed around by a combination of all of these things and need some encouragement, we’re here to help you and your family walk through this together.
What does a counseling session look like?
That’s difficult to answer in a short space because every session will look a little different. But there are some basic things you can expect. The first expectation you should have is care and compassion. We want to hear your story and ask deep questions to help us understand what exactly you’re facing. You can also expect to be challenged. Counseling is, at its core, a collaborative process where a counselor and counselee take a hard look at the circumstances, give some honest feedback, and look for simple and tangible solutions based on the wisdom of God’s Word.
Will my information/situation be kept confidential?
Confidentiality is a key part of building trust in a counseling relationship. We understand that every situation will be delicate in nature and desire to keep your information as private as possible. With that in mind, we also strive to maintain a safe environment and, at times, recognize it is necessary to share information with others for the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of those involved.
How long does a biblical counseling session last and how often would we meet?
Typically a counseling session will last for approximately 50-60 minutes but may extend a little beyond that timeframe under certain circumstances. The frequency of counseling sessions will vary depending on the needs of the family and the availability of everyone’s calendar. Typically it will involve a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly rhythm.
Will biblical counseling fix______?
The simple and honest truth is that counseling in and of itself can’t fix anything. There is no magic pill to take or magic wand to wave that will cause those problems to go away. The purpose of counseling is not to fix the problems you face but to give you the tools to work towards a healthy marriage/family/work/etc. We believe that, with God, all things are redeemable. There is nothing outside of His ability to fix, and our hope is to point you
to the hope, joy, and peace we can find in Him.
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Meet the CounselorBrian Simmons serves as a Pastor at Rooted Church and brings over a decade of pastoral experience in the Joplin area, having faithfully served the local church in Joplin since moving here in 2012. Brian holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brian has a Certificate in Biblical Counseling and is a Certified Christian Financial Counselor.
Brian’s approach to counseling is rooted in Scripture and shaped by years of walking alongside individuals, couples, and families through seasons of struggle, growth, and restoration. He has a deep passion for helping people experience real hope and lasting change through the gospel of Jesus Christ, addressing not only emotional and relational challenges but also the practical realities of life. Whether you are navigating marriage difficulties, parenting challenges, financial stress, or personal struggles, Brian’s desire is to come alongside you with biblical wisdom, grace, and practical guidance—helping you take meaningful steps toward healing, clarity, and renewed hope. |
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Disclaimer:
Biblical counseling at Rooted Church is provided as a ministry of the church and is rooted in scripture, prayer, and pastoral care. Our counseling services are intended to offer spiritual guidance, biblical wisdom, and practical encouragement for life’s challenges.
Rooted Church does not provide licensed mental health therapy, medical care, or clinical psychological services. Biblical counseling is not a substitute for professional medical, psychiatric, or licensed mental health treatment. Individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, abuse, or other serious mental health concerns are encouraged to seek immediate assistance from qualified medical or mental health professionals or emergency services.
Participation in counseling is voluntary, and Rooted Church reserves the right to refer individuals to outside professionals when a concern falls outside the scope of pastoral or biblical care.
By engaging in counseling through Rooted Church, you acknowledge and understand that this ministry is offered as faith-based support in alignment with our Christian beliefs and values.
Rooted Church does not provide licensed mental health therapy, medical care, or clinical psychological services. Biblical counseling is not a substitute for professional medical, psychiatric, or licensed mental health treatment. Individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, abuse, or other serious mental health concerns are encouraged to seek immediate assistance from qualified medical or mental health professionals or emergency services.
Participation in counseling is voluntary, and Rooted Church reserves the right to refer individuals to outside professionals when a concern falls outside the scope of pastoral or biblical care.
By engaging in counseling through Rooted Church, you acknowledge and understand that this ministry is offered as faith-based support in alignment with our Christian beliefs and values.