V.P. and Counselor of Family Life Today, Inc. Judy tells in her own words how she experienced our mission.

Becoming a professional Christian therapist was a natural response to the years I was nurtured, counseled, educated and trained through the unique ministry of Family Life Today, Inc.

After a painful and traumatic childhood in an alcoholic and incestuous family. I retreated into the dark world of drugs and depression. Near suicide in 1976, I heard a message that sounded strange and foreign: "Jesus died for you." Curiously I listened, it felt like a TV evangelist was speaking directly to me about feeling hopeless and wanting to die.

In desperation, I asked Jesus into my heart, not realizing what that reality would mean.

Well, he heard me. Soon in church for the first time in my life, I met Pat Larson. She invited me to the Young Mothers Class. Back then, Family Life Today was called Mothers on the Move. For several years I went to annual group retreats and attended ongoing classes for education, counseling and healing. In those groups I saw the heart of Christ through, who I call my spiritual Mother, and other leaders of Family Life Today. 

My broken heart began to heal, my spirit blossomed and my emotions promised greater stability. I faced the cruel realities of my life, and gave up my death-giving road. Inevitably, I began to teach classes and counsel others.

Accepting Christ was a rock-solid beginning. But it was the reality-based psychodynamic counseling in group that restored my mind and made a healthy life possible.

It was the sustaining, ever-present Saviour that kept me going through eight years of college, divorce and single parenting.

Today, with a Masters in Clinical Social Work, I am licensed to practice in Florida. What a remarkable place to work, God's world that is. Especially, when it involves doing what I believe in, what I love, and what I have experienced myself, educating and encouraging with the excellent tools of the social work profession.

Shepherding, in faith believing for others, when they cannot believe. Comforting others as I have been comforted. Our Lord is in the life-changing business; so is Family Life Today.

I'm living proof.

Judy is a LCSW with a Masters from Wayne State University, a BS in Psychology from Madonna University and also an AA in Liberal Arts from Oakland Community College. She has been a foundational part of Family Life Today since 1978.