By: Kelly Childress, LPCS

At Abide, we are deeply grateful that you have entrusted yourself, the children in your care, and your family to our care. Whether you've been with us for years or are just beginning your counseling journey, we consider it a privilege to come alongside you.

As clients get to know their individual counselors, we are often asked a broader question: What makes Abide different from other counseling practices? It's an important question.

Greenville is home to many outstanding counselors and practices, and we are grateful to be part of a community with so many excellent options for care. Every practice has its own strengths, areas of expertise, and philosophy of treatment. At Abide, we've intentionally built our practice around several core values that shape the way we care for individuals, children, and families. While these values are not exclusive to us, they are central to who we are and how we approach counseling.

One of our practice’s greatest strengths is the diversity of experience within our team. Our counselors come from a variety of professional backgrounds and have worked in many different settings throughout their careers. We believe this diversity makes us stronger. Each counselor brings unique perspectives, training, and expertise, allowing us to learn from one another and provide thoughtful, well-rounded care to the individuals and families we serve.

While our counselors’ paths to Abide may be different, we share several core commitments that shape the way we approach counseling.

First, every member of our clinical team is professionally trained and board-certified in their respective disciplines. We are committed to providing evidence-based, high-quality care while continually growing in our knowledge and skills through ongoing education and professional development.

Second, we believe that meaningful healing and growth happen within relationships. For this reason, we strive to keep the whole family in mind throughout the counseling process. While each person's story is unique, no one develops in isolation. The relationships that surround us profoundly influence how we understand ourselves, navigate challenges, and experience connection.

This belief is especially important in our work with children. Children develop within families, and the attachments they form are foundational to their emotional, social, and relational development. These early relationships not only form a child's sense of belonging and identity, they also impact how children learn to communicate their needs and seek support from others.

Because of this, we view parents and caregivers as essential partners in the counseling process. Rather than working with children in isolation, we seek to integrate parents and caregivers into treatment whenever appropriate, providing guidance, support, and practical tools that help foster growth both inside and outside the counseling room.

Our approach with children also recognizes that kids communicate differently than adults. Play, movement, creativity, and experiential activities are often central parts of the therapeutic process. Through these methods, children are able to express emotions, process experiences, and develop new skills in ways that feel natural and engaging.

Finally, one of the distinguishing characteristics of Abide is that our practice is made up of counselors who share a faith in Christ. While our clinical work is grounded in professional training, ethical practice, and evidence-based care, our shared faith informs who we are and how we understand hope, healing, and human flourishing.

For clients who desire it, we are able to thoughtfully integrate Christian beliefs and spiritual conversations into the counseling process. We recognize that faith can be a significant source of meaning, strength, and growth, and we want to create space for those conversations when they are important to our clients.

At the same time, our clinical training equips us to provide excellent care to individuals and families from a wide variety of backgrounds and beliefs. We never assume that clients share our faith, nor do we make spiritual integration a requirement of counseling. Instead, we seek to meet each person where they are, honoring their values and goals while providing compassionate, clinically sound care.

We believe this balance allows us to serve our community well—offering the opportunity for faith-integrated counseling when desired, while ensuring that every client experiences respect, professionalism, and genuine care.

At Abide, our desire is not simply to address symptoms but to help individuals and families build deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and lasting growth. We are honored to be part of your story and thankful for the opportunity to serve you.

Thank you for allowing us to come alongside you and your family.

So, consider the effort to capitalize on the benefits of boredom an opportunity to grow together with the kids in your life.