Endorsements

From Our Clients

I came to Redeemer Counseling broken and wounded, without hope or any real understanding of how to rebuild my life. Through God’s grace, and my counselor’s patient guidance, I have a much clearer picture of my past, strategies and knowledge for the present, and hope to fulfill my God-given destiny for my future. 

- Female Client

“Redeemer Counseling has been life-changing for my family. My husband and I have learned how to communicate, resolve conflict, and coach our children through their anger and anxiety. In 14 years of marriage, we have never experienced a greater sense of connection and peace in our household.”

- Couples Client 

“I was in the middle of a painful separation and I didn’t want to live. I cannot begin to define how my life changed and transformed during this process … I transitioned from the most painful year of my life to the single most profound year of change and growth. 

- Male Client

“My 16-year-old son has been going to counseling for 9 months as he’s been struggling with depression and the effects of divorce. Michael made him feel comfortable immediately and has done the impossible—gotten a teenage boy to talk about his feelings. Michael has an incredible way of balancing compassion with asking the tough questions that have helped my teen grow and develop stronger, healthy coping and life skills. Michael also does a great job of working with us as parents—respecting our son’s confidentiality but involving us in the solutions and always having the goal of strengthening the family. During some difficult times, it is fair to say that we’ve considered Michael a valuable extension of our family.”

- Mother of Teenager Client

“Career counseling with Redeemer Counseling has truly changed my life. It helped me find employment that is at the intersection of my passion and skill set. I would not be here without the care and expertise I received from my counselor.”

- Male Client

“I have found the addition of EMDR into my therapy has cut it down by years. It has allowed us to work on things that I had no idea my mind had tied to my past trauma and has allowed my mind to continue healing on its own even after we had stopped.”

- EMDR Client

From the Community

As a pastor who shepherds people through their crises and struggles, I have come to rely heavily on my allies at Redeemer Counseling. I consider the care of my parishioners one of my highest responsibilities, so I am picky when it comes to referring them to a professional counselor. I have utter confidence in the Redeemer staff. Each counselor is superbly trained, soaked in the gospel, and expertly focused on the needs of each client. I am grateful to God for Redeemer Counseling and you will be too. 

- Mike Osborne, Dean of Students at Reformed Theological Seminary

I have known Michael and Rachel for many years, both personally and professionally. They are both sincere, caring and compassionate people, and I trust their character completely. Professionally, I have confidence referring my patients to them, and I have had only positive feedback from patients who have seen either of them. I highly recommend them without reservation.

- Joan Coupland, MD, Central Florida Family Medicine

“I recommend Rachel and Michael more heartily than I recommend most counselors. This is the one “job” that the more you suffer, the more qualified you are. Rachel and Michael have suffered — experienced profound bondage and redemption. You will be welcomed with their grace, set free to be honest about your own life by their mercy, and slowly experience hope as you participate together in redemption.”

- Sharon Hersh, M.A., L.P.C., Counselor, Author and Speaker

Michael and Rachel’s deep understanding of the Gospel and their commitment to seeing it lived out in the lives of their clients makes them unique. Not only will you find yourself growing and healing emotionally, but they will challenge you to greater spiritual depth, too. I’ve seen them grow to become top clinicians in the Orlando area. I could not recommend Michael and Rachel more highly!

- Chuck DeGroat, PhD, Professor at Western Seminary, Author and Counselor

The Blackstons are a dynamic couple who do brilliant work. They are valued clinicians at our New Life intensive weekends. I highly recommend them as therapists and believe in them deeply as people.

- Steve Arterburn, President of New Life Ministries, Radio Host and Author

“Having been a professional Christian counselor for over 37 years and a trainer of counselors for at least 30, I have had the pleasure of working with the cream of the crop. Two of those dear ones also happened to marry each other. I cannot say enough good things about Michael and Rachel Blackston. They are and have always been “the real deal”. They have bravely and painfully done the hard work to become mature before God; that is why they can take their counselees to places of real healing and repentance. Michael and Rachel have wisdom beyond their years but it is their teachable and loving hearts that endear me to them. I call them my friends. These two take their walk with Christ and their ministry to the body very seriously and they exemplify the beauty of the quote I heard for years from Steve Brown, “We are simply beggars at the foot of the cross telling other beggars where to find bread.”

- Lottie Hillard, Local Counselor and Supervisor