About Us

Bio 

Pastor Eric Stockholm is a Licensed Christian Counselor with Peace Like A River Counseling. He has spent a lifetime working with people of all ages, helping them sort through whatever life has presented them in the way of struggles. He has been married to his one and only wife for over 25 years and has four children. He actively serves at his church and has a heart for the family, especially as it relates to the relationships within that special unit established by God at the beginning of humanity. In addition to his counseling license, Pastor Eric has also been trained as a Conflict Coach and is a certified “Peacemaker”.

Our Philosophy of Counseling

At Peace Like A River Counseling, we are trained to draw upon our experience to address your unique emotional, mental, spiritual and relational needs. Although we endorse the Christian world-view, we respect our client’s religious and cultural perspectives and welcome all those in need, regardless of socioeconomic, ethnic or religious background.

We have an absolute standard by which to measure our objectives and evaluate life circumstances. We see the Bible as the source of all truth. The Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17)”.

“Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24

Is All Counseling The Same?

(How is Peace Like A River Counseling different?)

Contrary to popular belief, the counseling profession is not standardized. Standardization in any profession means all training is the same. An example will illustrate. Suppose you broke your arm and went to a doctor in Memphis, TN. That doctor would treat your arm the same as a doctor in Jacksonville, FL, Texas, California, - any place in America. Why? The medical profession is standardized. All general physicians receive the same training and are required to practice medicine according to how they have been trained. To practice any other way violates state laws, ethical and licensing requirements. This situation explains one reason the medical profession is highly respected so much.

 

Human motivation and behavior, on the other hand, is not an exact science as the study of the body or diseases. Human motivation and behavior is directly linked to inner-emotional (temperament), relational and spiritual needs as well as how a person thinks. Therefore, inner-emotional (temperament), relational and spiritual needs are difficult to analyze using the scientific method of investigation used by the medical profession.

Basically the counseling profession can be broken down into several broad categories. These categories are different “schools” teaching from a different perspective on how to help people.

First, there is psychoanalysis. This teaching, founded by Sigmund Freud, focuses on early development of a person's life and the control of unconscious factors. Psychoanalysis requires a tremendous amount of time in order to help someone to overcome their problems. Years and years and thousands of dollars will be spent on counseling that has been proven not to work. Do the research for yourself.

Second, client-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, is a make-me-feel-good approach to problem solving. Help the client to feel good and he can solve his problems better. The same couple going to a counselor trained in client-centered therapy will be made to feel good with very little dealing with real issues.

          Third, behavior modification has been proven to be somewhat effective. This method was developed by B.F. Skinner. The same couple going to a counselor trained in behavior modification will be shown how to deal with their conflicts by changing their behavior. However, very little is done to deal with internal conflicts such as anger, hatred, lust, unforgiveness, pornography, jealousy, etc. This method helps some, but is very limited.

Fourth, there is Gestalt therapy. This type of counseling focuses on helping a counselee to achieve a stable internal structure while stressing an awareness of feelings as a central focus. A complete resolution of problems would not be achieved because the main focus for the couple is expression awareness and not resolution.

Some counselors rely on drug therapy. While pharmacological intervention is needed and beneficial in treating many of the symptoms people are facing, the root issues are not dealt with. Drugs do nothing to repair or restore family relationships, nor can they enable a husband to love his wife as Christ loves the church.

Can our Services Help?

People who call our office are looking for help and wanting to know if there is hope for them finding freedom from the issues they are facing. At Peace Like A River Counseling, we have an absolute standard by which we measure our objectives and evaluate life circumstances. We see the Bible as the source of all truth. The Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work(II Timothy 3:16-17)”.

“Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24