The counseling ministry of The Workshop is an arm of Church of Ascension’s congregational care. There can be seasons in our lives where we are stuck or hurting—individually and/or relationally. It can be a gift to have someone intentionally process, guide and walk with us in these seasons of struggle.
Jesus meets us in this journey, and, in fact, it is often in the very face of suffering that we get to know him as “the God of all comfort” (II Cor. 1:3). Many of us limp around, dragging or attempting to conceal the parts of ourselves that don’t work very well. It is “for freedom that Christ has set us free.” The ministry of The Workshop hopes to play a role in helping people discover this freedom and live into it more fully.
The Workshop has three counselors all of whom have sliding scales for payment, some of whom accept insurance. Please reach out to a counselor directly if you need assistance. If you would like to speak to one of our clergy first to get a referral, you are most welcome to do that also.
Mari Stout grew up as one of six kids in Japan, a daughter of missionaries. After graduating from college, she went to work with adjudicated youth and families in Colorado Springs, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Her experience in the social services led her to seek a better understanding of how people change and encounter hope. She pursued her training at Westminster Theological Seminary, where she received a Masters of Divinity with an emphasis in counseling. Mari’s counseling is greatly influenced by the interweaving of human stories and God’s story. Her areas of interest include: depression, trauma, anxiety, pre-marital and marital counseling. Mari, her husband, and their three children attend Church of the Ascension. She can be reached at macstout@gmail.com.
Camden Bianco is a graduate of Covenant Seminary. She loves working with children, teens, and young adults. She is very insightful and connects quickly and deeply with her clients. She comes to us with an art therapy background. Camden worships at City Reformed Church in Oakland, where her husband is the Assistant Pastor. Those interested in contacting Camden can email her at camdenbianco@gmail.com.
Jim Stout works from a holistic approach incorporating many theories and techniques integrating mind, body and soul including the following modalities: Gestalt, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness, Body Awareness, Neuroscience in Psychotherapy, Trauma Therapy, Christian Spiritual Formation, Attachment Theory, and Biblical Counseling. He works in a manner that integrates faith into therapy, and respects and honors where his clients are in their faith journey. Jim completed a Master’s of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in December of 2019. He intends to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Jim can be reached at jmstouts@gmail.com.