Recommended Counseling Books & Community Resource Guide
While there is something uniquely beneficial about the relational aspect of a face-to-face conversation, there is also much to be gained from the collective wisdom and experience of others available to us in written form. The information age we live in allows easy access to that information, but it also provides so much information that it can be hard to know where to start or what to trust. It is rare to find a book in which you agree with everything that is said, and this list is no exception. So, while we don’t necessarily agree with everything said in each of these books, we have found them to be practically helpful and consistent with Scripture. In that way, this list represents books that we can fully recommend, and trust that you will find them profitable. We’ve arranged them here in thematic categories:
Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling, John Kruis
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney
Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem
The Search for Significance, Robert McGee
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, Jeremiah Burroughs
Prayer, Philip Yancey
Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster
Sacred Marriage, Garry Thomas
A Lifelong Love, Gary Thomas
Cherish, Garry Thomas
The Five Love Languages, Garry Chapman
Love Dare, Stephen and Alex Kendrick
The Mingling of Souls, Matt Chandler
Declutter Your Marriage, Douglas Wilson
Love and Respect, Emerson Eggerichs
Fight Fair, Tim and Joy Downs
For Better or Best, Gary Smalley
If Only He Knew, Gary Smalley
Defending Your Marriage, Tim Muehlhoff
Parents & Teenagers, Jay Kesler
Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Tedd Tripp
Advice Worth Ignoring, Ray Guarendi
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, Meg Meeker
Strong Mothers, Strong Sons, Meg Meeker
Sheet Music, Kevin Leman
Forever and Always, Steven and Celestia Tracy
Finally Free, Heath Lambert
Every Heart Restored, Brenda Stoker
Sexual Detox, Tim Challis
Overcoming Anxiety & Depression, Bob Phillips
The Anxiety Cure, Archibald Hart
Worry, Edward Hallowell
When I am Afraid, Edward Welch
When the Darkness Will Not Lift, John Piper
I’m Not Supposed to Feel This Way, Chris Williams
Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness, Edward Welch
Anger: Taming a Violent Emotion, Gary Chapman
Enemies of the Heart, Andy Stanly
A Grace Disguised, Jerry Sittser
Where is God When It Hurts, Philip Yancey
Understanding Your Grief, Alen Wolfelt
Suffering, Paul David Tripp
When Life Hurts, Jimmy Evans
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller
Healing the Scars of Addiction, Gregory Jantz
Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave, Edward Welch
Addiction & Grace, Gerald May
The Heart of Addiction, Mark Shaw
Love to Eat, Hate to Eat, Elyse Fitzpatrick
Rid of my Disgrace, Justin and Lindsey Holcomb
Mending the Soul, Steven Tracy
Power: Surviving and Thriving After Narcissistic Abuse, Shahida Arabi
Total Money Makeover, Dave Ramsey
The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn
Preparing for Marriage God’s Way, Wayne Mack
The Sacred Search, Gary Thomas
Preparing for Marriage, Dennis Rainey
Biblical Foundations for Manhood and Womanhood, Wayne Grudem
Spiritual Warfare, Karl Payne
Defending Your Marriage: The Reality of Spiritual Battle, Tim Muehlhoff
The Pastor and Counseling, Pierre and Reju
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, Paul David Tripp
Competent to Counsel, Jay Adams
Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling, Charles Kollar
Christ Centered Therapy, Neil Anderson
Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, Janine Halloran
CBT Worksheets, James Manning
CBT Toolbox for Depressed, Anxious, and Suicidal Children and Adolescents, David Pratt
Community Resource Guide
This list contains a variety of community resources, along with brief description of services and contact information. It is not an endorsement of specific services, or an exhaustive list of all available services, but rather is intended to provide a helpful start for those who seek to navigate resources that may be helpful for themselves and others.
If you are not sure what your next step should be, or if you are having a hard time choosing the right resource for you, Bridge Ministries is here to help. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, go to www.spokanevbc.org/bridge-ministries or call (509) 928-5161.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, call 911 immediately, or take them to a local emergency department. If you feel you are unsafe, or have been the victim of a crime, call 911.
998 Suicide and Crisis Hotline
Dial 998
Text to 988 to begin chat
988lifeline.org
Federal suicide and crisis response hotline. Can be utilized by a person in crisis, as well as a source of advice, resources, and support for those who know someone who is in crisis.
Spokane Valley Police Department
509-477-3300
Spokanevalley.org/police
Veterans Crisis Line
Dial 988, then press 1
Text 838255 to begin chat
Veteranscrisisline.net
The Jonah Project
509-655-7886
The Jonah Project is a local ministry dedicated to advocating for survivors of sex trafficking, at-risk women, and children. They provide direct advocacy and education.
www.jonahproject.org
Union Gospel Mission
509-535-8510
The Union Gospel Mission is a Christian ministry seeking to meet the needs of the poor and homeless. They offer crisis shelters, food and clothing banks, job training, and recovery resources.
www.uniongospelmission.org
2-1-1
dial 211
www.win211.org
2-1-1 is Washington State’s connection program for federal, state, and local assistance. It connects people in need with resources ranging from holiday programs, health and education programs, food, financial assistance, housing, clothes, diapers, employment, transportation, mental health and substance abuse programs, and veteran resources.
SNAP
509-456-7111
www.snapwa.org
The Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs (SNAP) assists the needy with paying bills, making transitions from crisis situations, and aids in self-sufficiency long term. They also provide services such as minor home repairs and weatherization.
Spokane County Veteran Services
509-477-3690
www.spokanecounty.org/1122/Veteran-Services
Spokane County Veteran Services provide food, gas, rental and utility assistance, as well as assistance in gaining employment to military veterans.
Spokane County Community Services
509-477-5722
www.spokanecounty.org/1153/Community-Service-Housing-Community-Deve
Spokane County Community Services rental and utility bill assistance to those who live outside city limits.
Salvation Army Citadel Corps
509-325-6810
www.spokane.salvationarmy.org
The Salvation Army offers financial assistance, emergency utility bill help, food, and holiday meals. They also partner with other help agencies, and can be a useful source of information for additional aid.
Goodwill of the Northwest and Spokane County
509-462-0518
www.discovergoodwill.org/services
Goodwill offers financial assistance for rent, security deposits, and utility bills, as well as free bus passes, toiletries, and meals.
DSHS
509-501-2233
www.dshs.wa.gov
The Department of Social and Health services offers a wide variety of assistance programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), State Family Assistance (SFA), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
Catholic Charities
509-455-4963
www.catholiccharitiesspokane.org
Catholic Charities provides short term financial assistance for utility bills and rent to Catholics and non-Catholics, with a focus on households with young children and seniors. They also partner with other churches to direct families to self-sufficiency resources such as job training and financial counseling.
CHHS
509-625-6130
my.spokanecity.org/chhs/resources
The City of Spokane’s Community, Housing, and Human Services Department (CHHS) partners with area social services to administer funds from federal, state, and local government programs, including financial assistance, housing stabilization, food assistance, and Medicaid.
Spokane Housing Authority
509-328-2953
www.spokanehousing.org
The Spokane Housing Authority helps obtain safe, affordable housing through housing provision, vouchers, and repair.
Spokane Valley Partners
509-927-1153
www.svpart.org
Spokane Valley Partners assists with food, clothing, transportation, utilities, transportation, and some medications.
Volunteers of America
509-624-2378
www.voaspokane.org
The Volunteers of America help provide utilities, gasoline, bus passes, personal hygiene, emergency and low-cost housing, educational training and assistance, and employment training and assistance.
Second Harvest
509-534-6678
www.2-harvest.org
Second Harvest Inland Northwest partners with local food banks, and can be contacted for pantry locations.
Christ Clinic
509-325-0393
www.christclinic.org
Christ Clinic provides acute and chronic primary health and medical care, with information on programs for free medications.
Lutheran Community Services
509-747-8224
www.lcsnw.org
Lutheran Community Services provides mental health services for all ages and faiths, including counseling, family and community support, sexual assault and trauma, and child welfare programs such as temporary and permanent foster care.
CHAS Health
509-444-8200
Chas.org
CHAS (Community Health Association of Spokane) provides medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services to families and individuals of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay. Various physical locations, as well as hotlines and chat services.
Spokane Christian Counseling
509-209-8961
Spokanechristiancounseling.com
Spokane Christian Counseling provides clinical counseling from a Christian worldview. They accept most insurance providers. Services include specialties in marriage and family, individual counseling, trauma, sexual addiction, grief counseling, etc.
Spokane Psychiatry and Psychology
509-455-8660
Spokanepsychiatryandpsychology.com
Includes psychiatrist and psychologist, and can provide psychotherapy, medication management, psychological testing, and forensic evaluations.
Healthy Counseling Center
509-466-6632
Healthycounselingcenter.com
A group of licensed Christian counselors, including a counselor who is also a doctor of ministry. Provides in person and online counseling.
Frontier Behavioral Health
509-838-4651
Fbhwa.org
Frontier Behavioral Health
Frontier Behavioral Health provides intake, assessment, and treatment for behavioral health services.