Covenant Christian Counseling
Specializing in providing Christ-centered, biblical and professional counseling services to individuals, couples, and families in Denton County, the surrounding areas, and beyond.
About Us
Our Introduction
Covenant Christian Counseling exists to provide biblically faithful, gospel-centered, personally caring, pastorally wise, and clinically competent biblical and professional counseling to Denton County, the surrounding areas, and beyond.
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are trustworthy and sufficient guides concerning everything that has to do with eternal life and godliness. God’s Word tells us everything we need for salvation, lasting comfort, soul transformation, and loving obedience to him (2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Pet. 1:3-4); while the love and ministry of Christ provides for us true hope and peace (John 14:27; John 16:33; Matt. 11:28-30; Heb. 7:25; Heb. 10:23). All of this is ultimately accomplished by the redeeming power of the Holy Spirit and through our humble dependence upon him (Isa. 55:6-9; Jer. 29:13; Gal. 3:3).
CCC is therefore deeply committed to understanding, educating, and counseling with a view to read and apply the Scriptures with a proper distinction (not separation) between Law and Gospel and their respective intentions in a person’s life.
Where God’s Word does not directly address a given issue, we desire to be well informed and wise, within the bounds of biblical truth, sanctified consciences, and a theological psychology; all according to God’s common graces, providential rule, and natural revelation in creation (Romans 1:19-20; Romans 2:14-15; Psalm 19:1-3).
Our counselors are certified through the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) and generally work in accordance with their Mission and Beliefs statement. We are also in general agreement with the Confessional Statement of the Biblical Counseling Coalition (BCC) and the Model of Care articulated by the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF).
Our Staff
Lead Counselor
Leadership Team
Counselors & Psychologists
Where Can You Find Us
- by Micah Caswell
Many of us have been haunted by depression. The first resource I recommend someone struggling with depression is Ed Welch’s booklet. It is only 32 pages and thus can be read in one day. Even though it is short, it gets to the heart of the problem of depression as well as providing gospel solutions and practical tips on how to fight when depressed.
Welch begins by explaining how depression is ultimately a spiritual problem. He argues “Depression reveals us, not just the chemical composition of our brain,” (27). When we are depressed we can’t trust our feelings. Many times we don’t feel like doing anything. When we are numb we are to “learn another way to live,” (4). The new way of living is to “believe and act on what God says rather than feel what God says. It is living by faith,” (4). When we are depressed and debating what our feelings are saying and what Scriptures says, Welch explains that “Scripture wins,” (4).
Next, Welch asks, “What is your depression saying?” and “What does it mean?” He acknowledges that our feelings teach us about our perceptions of our circumstances. Exploring our feelings can teach us that we are afraid or ashamed or angry. Hunting why we are depressed should reveal what is wrong with our heart. Ultimately we are to identify what is wrong and grow by trusting the Lord. Maybe we have made an idol out of something and he is calling us to trust him while not obtaining what we want. Ultimately we are to faithfully respond, “I know that my Redeemer is with me, and I will humbly wait for his deliverance,” (17).
Exploring the condition of our heart leads us down a path asking a series of “why” questions. However, Welch explains that we should follow the path that leads to God if we want to come up out of depression. The more we can look at the “whys” of our depression through a gospel lens, the more accurately we can diagnose the condition of our hearts and find hope in Jesus. He explains, “If you think about what your depression is saying and it takes you all the way to your relationship with Christ, then don’t stop on that journey until you have heard something good,” (20). Welch also comments, “Remember that if you have put your faith in Jesus, you are forgiven, adopted, beloved, and delighted in. You must start thinking the way God thinks, not the way you think,” (20).
Welch closes with eleven practical tips on how to battle depression as well as a charge to not give up. I particularly like the sixth tip: “Each day, speak or write something that can be an encouragement to others. You have a calling. There are people to love, to care for, to help,” (20). I also appreciate the eight tip: “Keep a sharp eye out for grumbling and complaining,” (20). Welch acknowledges, “Depression is hard. No matter what its origin, it doesn’t leave without a fight. But don’t be discouraged. There are good reasons to enter into the fight. Changes are guaranteed (Phil. 1:6),” (23).
See the original post here: http://micahcaswell.com/?p=366
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I had the chance to sit down with Dave and Jarod of the King’s Highway Radio Podcast to discuss a section of the book entitled Power Religion: The Selling Out Of the Evangelical Church?
We reviewed the section called “Power Within” on the issues facing the church since the advent of secular psychology. How should we as Christians relate to secular psychology? What can we take from it and what must we leave behind? It was a good discussion. I don’t come in until the second half but the first half is great too. Check it out!
Here’s the link to the show page: https://kingswaytalk.com/2020/04/27/kings-highway-radio-power-religion-and-power-within/?fbclid=IwAR2TorcTF7-hXZSYVgWAwsYmmd7RcaUUMhNDdTh2jf3hqs0zyPnDEtkYgeI
Check out Dave and Jarod while you’re at it and subscribe if you like what you hear. I’m sure they will appreciate it!
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ATTN: Temporarily Moving To Exclusively Telehealth (Video) Sessions
Monday, March 23, 2020
Dear clients of Adam Sandlin LPC and Covenant Biblical Counseling:
Following the stay-at-home order announcement from Dallas County and the increased restrictions announced in Denton County, I will now be changing all current and future sessions to video Telehealth format effective Tuesday March 23, 2020 until some of these restrictions are relaxed, and/or it seems prudent to our clinical management staff to return to face-to-face service. In order to best protect your health and the health of my own family, this seems most prudent. I will re-evaluate this temporary policy on a weekly basis.
I want to reiterate that Telehealth through SimplePractice is a convenient, user-friendly, secure and HIPAA compliant way to meet virtually with your counselor. This kind of technology is available for exactly such circumstances as these so that your treatment will NOT be interrupted.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TELEHEALTH:
- Before your session you will be sent a link via email that you will simply click to begin the meeting.
- You can also always log in to the SimplePractice portal at the following link to check appointments and access your Telehealth video session: adamsandlin.clientsecure.me
- Internet speed and efficiency may impact Telehealth sessions. If for some reason during your appointment connectivity is a significant problem, we will switch to other platforms that have been authorized for use during this time such as Facetime or Skype. As a last resort, a phone session will be conducted.
Finally, please be mindful of scheduling. First available appointments typically run about 3 to 4 weeks out. If you desire to continue therapy with minimal disruption, please schedule out and consider the needs of others. Many of you are struggling with anxiety and family conflict and feel an urgency to attend sessions. For these reasons, do everything you can to attend your appointments, and if you must cancel, do so with as much notice as possible, but especially no less than 24 hours. Fees for late cancellations and no-shows will remain in effect. If your income is being impacted by the COVID-19 changes in a way that threatens your ability to continue therapy, please let me know so we can discuss available options. Your continued care is a priority to me.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out using the contact information listed at the bottom of this letter. You will likely receive a text around the day before your next appointment with a link to this same information.
Again, please know that I am praying for you all. Our God is sovereign and he is good. He loves his people and he is faithful. May we all make the best use of this time by glorifying and enjoying Him in his word and in prayer. There is nothing that will minister to your soul more than these. I am so thankful to get to walk with each and every one of you. Thank you so much for your understanding in all of this.
Grace and peace,
Adam Sandlin, LPC
Covenant Biblical Counseling/North Texas Christian Counseling
(469) 635-2200 M-F 9:00am-3:00pm
(940) 268-4909 Voicemail
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- by Micah Caswell
Contemporary culture has a plurality of opinions of how to view human identity. For some, self-esteem is the ultimate virtue to achieve. The spirituality of many is that if they could only have a higher view of themselves then they would be happy. However, the Bible has better news. Tim Keller’s “The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness” is important because a wrong view of personal identity is leading to wasted unhappy lives.
Keller’s work is a booklet made up of 46 short pages and three chapters. It can be read in a lunch hour. He opens by asking, “What are the marks of a heart that has been radically changed by the grace of God?” (5). Next, Keller unpacks 1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7. He explains that different than most cultures throughout history “Our belief today – and it is deeply rooted in everything – is that people misbehave for lack of self-esteem and because they have too low a view of themselves” (10).
Regarding the problem of our natural condition he says, “Spiritual pride is the illusion that we are competent to run our own lives, achieve our own sense of self-worth and find a purpose big enough to give us meaning in life without God,” (15). The solution is to avoid the trap of seeking self-esteem by other people’s standards. Rather, “Paul is saying something astounding, ‘I don’t care what you think and I don’t care what I think,’” (31). The result is not needing to think too much or too highly about ourselves. Keller says, “A truly gospel-humble person is not a self-hating person or a self-loving person, but a gospel-humble person,” (33). The way to live this way is to allow the verdict of the gospel to lead our performance versus the other way around. In other words, “Self-forgetfulness takes you out of the courtroom. The trial is over,” (43). Joy is found through living according to our gospel convictions. Joy is found through gospel-humility. Joy is neither found in self-hating or self-loving, but rather self-forgetting.
This is a tremendous read for anyone struggling with depression. Counseling is a very helpful process, but as people delve deep into heart issues there can be a tendency to become self-absorbed. This process can rob our joy because our eyes are too much on ourselves. His booklet is also helpful for those believing the flesh and the world about where to find happiness. Giving ourselves over to our sinful desires does not lead to joy. Keller’s booklet is a reminder we all need that self-forgetfulness rather than self-esteem is the pathway to joy.
Editor’s Note: You can find Micah’s original post on his personal blog page here: http://micahcaswell.com/?p=363
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Introducing the newest addition to our counseling team…
For some time now Covenant Biblical Counseling has been a one-man operation. But the plan has always been to grow. So I am excited to finally announce something that has been in the works over the past year or so.
Starting today, Micah Caswell will be joining the CBC team! We had planned to wait until this summer to transition him on as a new counselor, but Micah has decided to move his start date forward out of a desire to serve our community following the COVID-19 outbreak. He’s even currently offering his services at half the normal price per session ($30 for the first session and $25 for each additional session). Like myself, Micah is taking advantage of the HIPAA compliant Telehealth (video) counseling options available through SimplePractice. During the quarantines he will be seeing all his clients via that platform.
Micah is the Senior Pastor of Redeemer Church here on the south side of Denton. He has been in pastoral ministry nearly 20 years, and has a number of degrees related to both biblical studies and counseling. Most recently he completed a Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling from Midwestern Baptist Seminary and he also recently completed his biblical counseling certification through the Association of Biblical Counselors. Additionally, Micah holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southern Baptist Seminary as well as other masters degrees from Toronto Baptist Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Seminary, and Dallas Seminary.
For more information about Micah or to schedule an appointment please visit our website: http://covenantbiblicalcounseling.com/
Grace and peace,
Adam Sandlin, MA, LPC
Director & Owner
Covenant Biblical Counseling
Denton & Flower Mound
NOTE: While Micah Caswell is a highly trained and competent counselor, it should be noted that he is not a licensed professional with the State of Texas. Micah also typically will not be meeting with female clients individually, but has lifted that restriction for his Telehealth clients.
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I am honored to announce that the Biblical Counseling Coalition (BCC) has featured my latest article on “Encouragement For Christian Parents of Disobedient Children” on their website today.
You can find it here: https://biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2018/04/27/encouragement-for-christian-parents-of-disobedient-children/
In Christ,
Adam
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