The Counseling Program at Sherman Oaks Presbyterian Church (In partnership with Turning Point Ministry Group). Directed by Katja Ralph, MA
Biography
Katja Ralph had been following Jesus since she was a child and has grown up in a strong Christian family in Germany. She has volunteered in her church’s children’s ministry and has also been actively involved in many areas of her church’s youth ministry for several years.
After graduating from high school with majors in English and Arts she spent 6 months with Youth With a Mission Australia, which included doing missions for several weeks in Malaysia. This experience not only deepened her personal faith but also increased her understanding of different cultures and the desire to help people with their emotional and spiritual wounds. Back in Germany she enrolled at the IGNIS-Academy for Christian Psychology to earn her B.A. and M.A. in Psychology with concentration in Christian counseling. Those years of professional training provided her with a lot of insight into psychological as well as spiritual dynamics, practical training in various settings and friendships for a lifetime.
After 5 years of long-distance dating, Katja married the love of her life in 2006 and settled in sunny California. After some additional training at the Phillips Graduate Institute, Katja became a registered Marriage and Family Therapist intern and is currently earning her hours toward licensure with Turning Point Counseling where she receives supervision. She is also trained in the Prepare, Enrich & Mate, Marital and Premarital Inventories.
Approach
Ps 34:18 The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Katja bases her counseling on God’s heart of compassion and hope (Isaiah 42:3) and His promise of healing (Isaiah 61). She loves to see how God restores people, turns their weakness into strength and transforms even painful experiences to the good in His bigger plan (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28).
Within an eclectic approach to psychotherapy, Katja integrates her faith by using a Biblical cognitive approach to help clients identifying unhealthy attitudes, pain defenses and lies they believe about themselves, others and God. She supports them on the journey of discovering God’s truth and “renewing their minds” (“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.” -Romans 12:2). Katja enjoys working holistically and creatively with clients to help them to express hidden emotions and to narrow the gap between head knowledge and emotional experience.
Katja’s heart is to assist young people in developing healthy dating relationships and being set free to live their God-given identity. Knowing the impact of a strong family, she wants to see marriages and families strengthened to be a healthy support systems for children. Through her own experiences she also has a great understanding of cross-cultural dynamics in relationships. She offers therapy in English as well as in German.
If you would like to make a first time appointment with Katja, contact the Turning Point call center at 800-998-6329 to schedule an intake.
Katja's voicemail extension is 341.
E-Mail: counseling@ShermanOaksPC.org
Hourly Rate $100 - $55
Sliding Scale Available - Based on Combined Monthly Income
Turning Point Counseling
A professional Christian Counseling Ministry serving Southern California Est. 1983
Turning Point Counseling is one of the largest professional Christian counseling organizations in Southern California with over 30 counseling centers located in local churches. At Turning Point Counseling the application of Biblical truth is the foundation of our counseling. We carefully integrate Scripture and our faith along with psychological knowledge and technique. Turning Point counselors bring spiritual values, Scripture, and prayer into the counseling process as it is appropriate. Turning Point’s mission is to restore Christians, grow the church, and support leadership.
To learn more about Turning Point Counseling visit www.TurningPointCounseling.org