For Individuals and Couples in Southwestern Bavaria




No, I'm not a native speaker. There are many words and expressions I don't know yet. I have never lived in Great Britain or in the United States. There will be things you have to explain to me twice. If you have a strong accent, I might not understand you at all :-)

But on the other hand: I love the English language. And I am trying hard to learn it, for many years already. Step by step. Reading articles and books, writing Emails, studying the Bible and trying to take part in English conversations wherever there's an opportunity.

So if you are looking for someone to talk about something difficult in your life – and if you want or need to do this in English -- feel free to contact me by phone or Email. Please check out if you feel understood by me.

There's no guarantee, but you can be sure that I will try my best. 

In the following passages you can find a brief summary of my counseling concepts and some information about me.  


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Basic Information


In more than 19 years of intensive therapeutic work in two clinics I have been leading a great many group and single discussions and was privileged to get to know a great number of people from a wide variety of life situations. 

I am ready to approach your unique life situation with you and to reflect on your important life experiences and current questions together.

Entering into a consultation is sometimes not easy and can even release fears. In the course of many years it has become important for me to hold talks in an atmosphere of appreciation and freedom. Any form of coercion and arrogance must be avoided. 

Counseling to me means helping you to find your way. Your life and your situation is unique – so your solutions will be unique as well. If you think it might help you, I am also willing to offer you my ideas and my point of view in the course of the discussion. 


The topics 

- you have a pressing matter concerning your family or partnership

- you or someone close to you is gay and support is needed to face a hostile environment

- you face a far-reaching decision or you are finding yourself in a personal crisis 

- your faith is deeply challenged 

- you were emotionally/spiritually wounded in a Christian community or Church 

- you are a spiritual leader looking for encouragement 

- you or someone close to you is affected by an addiction issue 

- you need supervision or coaching for a certain period  



Here is a short outline of the possible topics:

Family and partnership
Improving your relationship; questions of education and the bringing up of common children or the children of the partner; homosexual identity and loving same sex relationship; transition to a new stage of life; coping with a divorce or a separation situation; remarriage; coming to terms with problematic childhood experiences in your own life or that of your partner; dealing with your parents and the parents-in-law; developing your common faith

Important life decisions and coping with a personal crisis
reflecting on substantial topics and getting a view “from the outside”; thinking through decisions that have to be made in the near future; refocusing on your own abilities and sources of strength; making the best of your Midlife Crisis; reflecting on your own aims for the future; reflecting on the pros and cons of a new career or change of life concept; learning to live with an illness or difficult situation; accepting your limitations; getting rid of bitterness; taking daring new steps


Burnout
getting support for avoiding a burnout or getting through a burnout; regarding and analyzing your personal situation with regards to family and career; getting your abilities and gifts clear again; reflecting you self-image between freedom and the search for recognition; perfectionism and healthy ambition; handling obligations and the requirements of others; „love it, change it or leave it “

Faith questions and pastoral care
strengthening your faith in Jesus and getting closer to God again; reasoning out a faith issue that has become crucial to you; reflecting the pros and cons of a change of Church or faith; thinking through a significant change in your ministry or a new calling; coping with the different faith of your partner


Spiritual abuse
finding your way out of religious manipulation into the freedom of a child of God; dealing with damaging experiences in a church or a religious community; learning to distinguish between the challenges of faith and the challenges of a Church; building a fence against manipulating leaders; avoiding becoming a perpetrator yourself; getting your thoughts clear again; giving Jesus a chance again; using the crisis to find a new perspective


Counseling for religious leaders and Pastors
strengthening your commitment; handling the demands of others in a healthy way: rearranging your goals and refocusing on the priorities of your calling; asking God for certainty about the steps to take; reflecting on a possible change of ministry; coping with a failure; readjusting the family-ministry balance; using crises to strengthen and find your faith again


Alcohol problems
reflecting about your own drinking habits; Do I drink too much? Where can I find assistance?; there is an addiction issue in my family: How do I deal with it?; my partner is in the process of a therapy: how can I support him/her and at the same time help myself?

Supervision/Coaching
discussing casework and other professional issues in a structured way; reflecting your work and developing your skills; focusing and refocusing on your strengths and resources; getting support in handling and balancing roles and expectations; coping with conflicts and challenges; balancing private and professional areas of life; advancing your personality and character and contemplating your values and standards; living spirituality and faith in your professional context


Please note:
Each counselor should know and observe his own limits. Therefore I cannot offer assistance with psychiatric illnesses, heavy traumatization and extreme experiences of violence and sexual abuse.

In such cases I urge you to seek psychiatric assistance.

As a victim or a witness of violence please turn to the police or to child protective services.


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About me:


Biography

Born in 1962 and raised in Birkenfeld (Württemberg) as the oldest of four brothers and sisters; 'Abitur' certificate in 1982;

1984-1989 studies in Theology and Social Education;

Internships in children's homes and residential school for mentally and physically impaired children;

Appointment to the Calling as a Deacon of the Lutheran Church in Baden-Württemberg in 1989

Graduation as Social Worker in 1991

Full-time engagement as Individual, Group and Couple Therapist in the Fachklinik Römerhaus in Sulzberg, a clinic for men with alcohol problems (1989-1996)

Full-time engagement as individual, group and couple therapist in the Fachklinik Hirtenstein in Bolsterlang, a clinic for men with alcohol problems (1997-2008)


Graduation as Social Counselor (Systemic Family Therapy) in 1996


Continuously since 1989
- attending different kinds and settings of Supervision (single, team, case, internally, externally)
- attending various trainings and Christian seminars with far diversified emphasis
Continuously since 1982
- voluntary engagement for individuals and families in various situations of life


Married to my dear wife Anja - we have three adolescents, each of them unique and wonderful :-)



Religious biography

Raised in a Methodist Church in Southern Germany

Studies at a Lutheran Seminary (Karlshöhe Ludwigsburg) near Stuttgart, Germany

For one decade membership and engagement in an Evangelical Free Church

Since 2000 member of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Marktoberdorf

Since my youth I am highly interested in sharing thoughts and fellowship with Christians from different Denominations, Churches and communities. I esteem the wealth of different perspectives – and at the same time I suffer from the tensions and gaps in the body of Christ.

In the course of my life I have appreciated having encounters with different Christian traditions like the Renewal Movements in Protestant and Catholic Churches, Baptist Churches, Pentecostal Churches, Brethren Churches and various others.    

I support the principles and theological statements of the ACK and the CEC (www.ceceurope.org) 

I am interested in many topics of the Christian faith and love to read the Bible. Intercession is very important to me.

For at least 25 years my wife and I have been part of and led Christian home groups, prayer meetings and Bible talks.

For many years I have been playing Piano or E-bass in Churches, tent missions and in concert halls. Some say that I always played too loud :-O 

It's a rumor that I would possess the largest collection of American Study Bibles east of the Atlantic. Well ...




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General Information


Please feel free to contact me by Email for more information: beratung@weitesland.info

My office is located in 87466 Oy-Mittelberg, Haager Strasse 7a (not far away from the school)

Please call  08366-1574  for an appointment.

You may choose between a 60 or 90 minute meeting.

The professional fee is EUR 50.- (60 min) or EUR 70.- (90 Minutes). Prices for coaching or supervision are subject of agreement.

You will receive an invoice after each meeting and the amount will be balanced either in cash or by money transfer to my bank account within 14 days.

Any information given to me is subject to my professional discretion.

However, information regarding a serious criminal offense must and will be reported to the police.