Compassionate, faith-based counseling for healing from trauma, strengthening relationships, and finding wholeness in your life.

What is Professional Counseling?

Professional counseling is a collaborative process and holistic approach where you work with a trained, compassionate counselor to address emotional challenges, process difficult experiences, and develop healthier patterns of thinking and behaving. It's a safe, confidential space to explore your concerns and discover pathways toward healing and growth.

Marie Woods brings a unique blend of clinical expertise, biblical wisdom, and cultural sensitivity to her counseling practice. Whether you're navigating trauma, relationship struggles, spiritual questions, or life transitions, professional counseling can help you move from brokenness toward wholeness.

Areas of Focus

Trauma & Healing Services

Compassionate, trauma-informed support to help you heal from painful experiences and feel safe again.

We support recovery from:

  • Childhood trauma & emotional neglect

  • Betrayal in relationships

  • Narcissistic or emotional abuse

  • PTSD & Complex PTSD

  • Complex PTSD (long-term or repeated trauma)

  • Chronic stress and overwhelm

You don’t have to go through this alone.

Premarital, Marriage & Family Counseling

Helping couples and families rebuild trust, connection, and healthy communication.

Common challenges:

  • Communication struggles

  • Emotional distance

  • Trust issues & infidelity recovery

  • Repeating conflict cycles

  • Intimacy struggles

  • Financial or role-related stress

  • Boundary issues

  • Cross-Cultural Counseling

Cross-Cultural Counseling

You may be experiencing:

Support for individuals navigating life between cultures.

  • Feeling like you don’t belong

  • Loneliness or isolation

  • Language or communication stress

  • Cultural or family pressure

  • Identity confusion

  • Relationship challenges across cultures

How we help

  • Find clarity in identity

  • Process cultural transitions

  • Build confidence

  • Strengthen relationships

Biblical Counseling

Faith-based support to restore your relationship with God and your identity in Christ.

You may be experiencing:

  • Feeling distant from God

  • Guilt, shame, or self-doubt

  • Fear of rejection by God

  • Spiritual pressure or confusion

  • Struggles with faith

You may be experiencing:

  • Renewed connection with God

  • Freedom from shame and fear

  • Clarity in identity and purpose

  • Peace, grace, and emotional healing

  • Life Transitions, Loss & Grief Counseling

Teenager Issues & Adolescent Mental Health

The teenage years can feel overwhelming and confusing. At LifeAbove, we offer a safe space where teens can express themselves, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills.

Your teen may be experiencing:

  • Mood swings or emotional ups and downs

  • Anxiety, stress, or constant worry

  • Low self-esteem or identity struggles

  • Withdrawal from family or friends

  • Lack of motivation or poor school performance

  • Peer pressure or fear of rejection

  • Anger or emotional outbursts

  • Risky behaviors or poor choices

  • Excessive screen time or social media use

  • Conflict with parents or authority

  • Sleep issues or constant fatigue

We’re here to support their growth, healing, and emotional well-being.

Life Transitions, Loss & Grief Counseling

Support through major life changes like loss, divorce, or identity shifts.

You may be experiencing:

  • Deep sadness or emotional pain

  • Shock or numbness

  • Loss of identity or direction

  • Trouble sleeping or low energy

  • Disconnection from others

We help you:

  • Process grief in a healthy way

  • Understand your emotions

  • Rebuild your identity

  • Find peace and move forward

TESTIMONIALS

Proven Outcomes

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"As the Pastor of Grace Church, I have opportunities where I need to refer people for counseling. Without hesitation I think of Marie Woods.

​Marie has been a trusted source for Biblical counseling, spiritual mentoring, and life coach. Whether it be in her personal counseling, wholeness life coaching, or her annual Mental Health Care conference, I know that she provides solid Biblical guidance and practical help for everyone she engages. She is professional, knowledgeable, and well respected by those I send to her. I highly recommend Marie to you!

- Joel B. Walters, Lead Pastor

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"The program itself was very worthwhile, and there was a lot of excellent content and practices. As a spiritual leader, these Biblical and practical resources are hugely important for my ongoing equipping and learning to continue providing good Biblical training for others. Marie, thank you so much for offering the holistic experience to the faith community. Thank you for all the effort and work. Please do continue running such events."

- Karen Adam, college professor

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"Today, I look back on my spiritual growth during the wholeness life coaching time, I see you by my side. My heart is filled with gratitude. You have facilitated a newfound relationship with God that I’ve never experienced before. I know this kind of work can't be measured or assessed. I am so encouraged by your mission (LifeAbove). I pray that God will use you to fulfill his good work to many people."

- Yu Hong, Ph.D.

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"“I want to say thank you Marie for teaching my parents. It has REALLY been a big blessing and brought a TOTAL SHIFT especially in how my dad approaches his spiritual life. Its really cool! I am so grateful!”

- Andrea Myatt

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"Marie does various programs to address issues for the church regarding spirituality, and mental health. This is a real deep calling for her and a real heartfelt love to see the church ministering Jesus to our true psychological needs. Sometimes the church has been wise in this regard, sometimes not so wise. So it's good to have people like Marie and to bring the tools of spirituality back to the church so that we're generally experiencing God in our heart of hearts, not just in our minds. Marie does that well. She's able to pull together resources of various people that I’m amazed by. She has the additional advantage of speaking Chinese and knowing the International Community. Gee! You need to get to know Marie. And I hope you'll follow her work and experience the joy of it like I have."

- Dr. Troy Caldwell

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​"I want to thank Marie for the healing, hope, and renewed faith I experienced during our 90-day coaching program. I've learned so much from her, including the strategies and disciplines in practice that have helped me grow stronger. Most of all, I appreciate that, unlike other mentors and helps I have sought, ONLY Marie was able to make sense of my confusion and broken self-image.
It was by divine appointment we met. And I am very grateful for Marie.​

- Wilma Heil

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Expect

What happens in the first session? (in a dropdown menu)

The first session is an opportunity to build rapport and understand your story. Marie will listen compassionately to what brings you to counseling, ask clarifying questions, and collaboratively develop a plan for your healing journey. You'll leave with a clear sense of direction and next steps.

Is everything I share confidential?

Yes. Counseling is confidential and protected by law. The only exceptions are situations involving imminent danger to yourself or others, abuse of children or vulnerable adults, or court orders. Marie will discuss these limits with you at the start of counseling.

How long does counseling typically take?

The duration varies based on your unique needs and goals. Some people benefit from short-term counseling (6-12 sessions), while others find longer-term work more helpful. Marie will work with you to establish realistic timelines and regularly assess progress toward your goals.

What are the costs?

Pricing varies based on the type and length of sessions. During your initial consultation call, Marie will discuss fees, payment options, and any available sliding scale arrangements. She's committed to making counseling accessible.

Do I need to be religious to benefit from counseling?

No. While Marie integrates biblical wisdom into her work, she welcomes clients of all faith backgrounds. She respects your values and beliefs and will tailor the counseling approach to align with what's meaningful to you.

Start Your Healing Journey Today

You deserve clarity, peace, and restoration.