The Leadership Counseling Intensive is as the name implies, the intensive amount of time spent with an Intensive trained therapist over a compacted period of time. With fifteen to twenty hours of focused therapy taking place over a one- or two-week span, core issues can be uncovered and explored. The Leadership Counseling Intensive creates a dynamic that makes possible the beginning of real transformational growth in a couple’s/individual’s life.

Relational and organizational conflicts, ministry exhaustion, moral unfaithfulness, character and competency issues, transition difficulties, marriage-relationship development, spiritual renewal, and personal emotional issues are but a few of the challenges that leaders face and seek to overcome in their personal and ministry lives.

The fifteen-hour, one-week Leadership Counseling Intensive is not typically crisis oriented. It includes significant but fewer goals in focus within a one-week format. The one-week program was implemented to help those who could not leave their positions or their children for two weeks.

The twenty-hour, two-week Leadership Counseling Intensive enables clients with significant stress and difficult conflicts to confront their issues with greater intensity and broaden their goals for counseling while building in additional time for rest and renewal within a two-week format.

The addition of a meditative component completes the counseling effort by inviting additional spiritual influences into the transformational experience. This component is led by a QuietWaters Spiritual Director.

1 Timothy 5:17- "The elders who direct the affairs of the Church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."

Seven DistinctivesRetreat CenterFeesStaff

SEVEN DISTINCTIVES OF QUIETWATERS COUNSELING INTENSIVES People often ask, “What is the difference between traditional therapy and intensive counseling?” The answer is best described in seven distinctives of our Leadership Counseling Intensives. Accelerated Change The first distinctive is not just the amount of time but the way this time is structured. In traditional counseling a therapist meets a client weekly for one hour or less in a private-practice office for several weeks, months, or even years. Often, just when a counselee gets into the depths of the problem in a session, he or she returns to the stress of the job or the demands of the family, and the problem continues or escalates until the next week when one might achieve another hour of insight. In contrast to the typical fifty-minute hour, the intensive counseling approach is structured to achieve both rapid and lasting results by providing two to three hours of daily counseling over a five- to ten-day period. The depth and complexity of issues are addressed without the disruption of work schedules, family obligations, or other personal responsibilities. Our clients are able to go deep and stay focused, sustaining the intensity to accomplish the changes they long to make. Obstacles are removed that often hinder the change process as clients are prone to remobilize defensive structures and repeat dysfunctional patterns between weekly sessions. There is a higher level of concentration and personal contemplation on core issues. In the midst of these benefits, leaders finally get the time they need to hear from God as individuals and as couples. We believe the transformational effects of the intensive approach are often comparable to at least six months of weekly traditional counseling. One ministry couple said, “We wish we had known about Counseling Intensives earlier. We had tried traditional therapy before but with mixed results. We had lost hope that our marriage and ministry would survive. But we had real breakthroughs during our Intensive. After our time at QuietWaters we were able to sustain the progress we had made.” Redemptive Focus We recognize that a leader’s heart has a direct impact on his or her ability to lead; therefore our counseling empowers leaders to confront core issues, navigate significant transitions, grow through crisis, and set a life-giving tone in their ministry context. Our counselors focus on recovery of heart and resiliency of spirit. Much more than competency development or organizational effectiveness, redemptive leadership is character and narrative driven. We believe the best leaders are wounded healers who will leverage their lessons learned in the trenches of ministry. Hear what one leader wrote: “Prior to our Intensive at QuietWaters. I had made a moral compromise. While it was not flagrantly immoral or unethical, it was enough to put a halt to my ministry and call my character into question. I had never pursued any help before even though I knew I needed it. The Intensive challenged me to face my vulnerability squarely and to learn a more interdependent style of relating with my spouse and other leaders. I am no longer afraid of my weaknesses and the dark side of my own story. I now trust that God will not waste my pain but uses it for his glory…especially in the messiness of my own issues and my ministry. This has fundamentally changed my approach to leading.” Seasoned Counselors “The very first session we had with our counselor gave me hope. We knew we were in the right place with the right therapist. Our situation was pretty complicated with a lot of turbulent history and trauma. Our counselor understood and diagnosed our condition with rare skill and empathy. We were able to relax, knowing we were in good hands. The counselor’s own story and leadership struggles enabled us to trust the process. This was no ivory-tower clinician; this was a real-life leader with sage wisdom.” Our counselors each bring over twenty-five years of clinical experience to the Intensive process. All members of our professional team have direct experience with the challenges of leadership. Along with their licensure and experience, most of our counselors are also ordained clergy as well. In contrast to the solo counselor, QuietWaters Ministries uses a team-based approach to therapy, so each client is interviewed and paired with the counselor best suited to his or her particular needs. This sets the stage for an individualized treatment plan, the best context for therapeutic change and leadership renewal. Beyond the tools and techniques employed in Intensives, we believe the character of our counselors gives a spiritual depth to the process. Their own authentic relationship with God creates a high trust dynamic with our clients as they collaborate together in trusting God to make the Intensive a true success. Integrated Treatment While some counseling that is called Christian gives token attention to the Bible and spiritual formation, our program is both clinically competent and biblically grounded. Our counseling team is committed to therapeutic excellence with a rigorous integration of psychology and theology. Scripture is integrated throughout the Leadership Counseling Intensive process in order to blend psychological techniques into the client’s spiritual growth and formation issues. The story of each leader’s life is discerned within the meta-narrative God is scripting. Counselors share their own stories and utilize their own experiences, spiritual traditions, and knowledge of doctrine to encourage the client’s faith development through the various stages of their leadership journey. After the Intensive, one reluctant leader said, “I’m a bit old school and was skeptical about counseling. I found my fears were unfounded when our counselors asked if they could pray for us. Their use of Scripture was unlegalistically fresh but laser like in its accuracy. I even walked away with some new ideas for a sermon series.” Systems Oriented Engaging leaders within the context of their key ministry relationships, the Intensive process supports the organization the client serves with a systems-sensitive approach. Taking a wide-angle view, our counselors understand congregational problems are never rooted in one source only, but in patterns and dynamics that can be mapped across the entire organization. Tracking anxiety in the system, navigating triangles, understanding resistance, and confronting collusion, sabotage, and scapegoating are all in focus with a systems-oriented treatment plan. Our counselors see the entire spectrum of problems—from churches that specialize as “clergy killers” to narcissistic leaders who, like repeat offenders, have become “congregation killers.” “After feeling beat up by our Board, we were worried the counselor would only see the issues as our responsibility. We came somewhat defensive. But the assessment our counselor conducted took all things into account. While we had to take a hard look at our contribution to the church’s problems, we did not feel the spotlight was all on us. We left with some new tools for reengaging our leadership. Now we are seeing a system where everyone is starting to admit responsibility for the problems we must face together.” In contrast to the blame-and-shame tactics that many lead pastors and church boards resort to, our Organizational Intakes give us a 360-degree view so that the Intensive process can address needed changes on every level. As the systems perspective is embraced, leaders learn to replace outdated analyses and narrow views with a balcony perspective of the entire dance floor of ministry. Within the context of marriage and family counseling, our counselors also use the systems approach to address intergenerational patterns, family-of-origin themes, and the needs of the entire nuclear-family system. Sometimes this involves children, teenagers, and adult children in the Intensive when it is therapeutically appropriate. After Care A needed discipline in any Intensive process is the continuity of care that leaders need after their time at QuietWaters. Seeking to reinforce our client’s Growth Plan, we are intentional in our follow-up and want to see the changes made in counseling continue. Our counselors conduct phone interviews within ninety days following an Intensive. Many clients elect to continue receiving support from our ministry with ongoing counseling, specialized training, or other forms of care and continuing education. We work diligently with other caregivers such as denominational leaders, supervisors, or Spiritual Care Teams to foster healthy reentry, high trust, real accountability, and sustained progress. Intensives often result in requests for ongoing training in areas such as leadership development, team building, or conflict coaching. One staffer said, We should have done this five years ago while we were struggling with our new vision. This training could have spared us needless conflict. Thank God we are at least doing it now. We are all getting on the same page. I believe the best years are ahead of us. Experiential Context While we do talk a lot during Intensives, this is more than talk therapy. Intensives provide the perfect environment to use further education and creative processes that will foster new insights, improved behaviors, and emotionally corrective experiences. Our counselors draw from an array of tools and techniques to help clients assimilate what they are learning in a more experiential way. Recommended reading is targeted to each client’s growth goals. Exercises and assignments may take the form of rituals, journaling prayer, communication skill building, media viewing, writing letters, or experiencing silence. Away from sources of stress and demands of ministry in our lovely Colorado Retreat, our clients can begin the healing process, find renewal, and acquire tools for handling the stressors of life and ministry. There is ample opportunity to explore one’s relationship with God and others while refocusing on mission and calling. Videos, DVDs, and books are available in our Retreat library to help foster new strategies for personal, marital, and organizational health in an individualized treatment plan. We are fortunate to provide Intensives in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The Denver area and the Colorado Rockies offer a great context for playtime and adventures that reinforce the client’s recovery and overall health. CONCLUSION The focus on Jesus brings all things together in any Intensive setting. As each of the above seven dimensions is experienced in a Christ-centered manner, our hope for our clients is that they find not only rest, recovery, and renewal but a deeper sense of joy in their spiritual journeys. We trust that God will bring them out of the miry clay, place their feet on a rock of stability, and give them a new song with a great story to tell. The Psalm 40 Journey results in “many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” What a testament to the ripple effect of God’s grace through a leader’s crisis. An Intensive is God’s crucible for transformational change. With the changes God is able to create, many will be blessed.

QUIETWATERS RETREAT CENTER The QuietWaters Retreat Center is located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains just southeast of Denver, Colorado. It is near the quaint town of Parker with its charming main street lined with antique lamp posts. The large ponderosa trees on the property and the wonderful panoramic views of the mountains let you know that you are at a true Colorado Retreat. The location is peaceful and quiet and provides a proper setting for intensive therapy. All your sessions will occur in a confidential setting at the Retreat. At the spacious Retreat you will have a large bedroom with a Doctors Choice ® king-size bed and a full private bath. The Retreat sits on almost three acres, and you can hike on the three-mile trail that goes through the twelve acres of open space that surrounds the Retreat. You can relax in the Retreat’s outdoor pool or hot tub, work out in the fitness center, or spend time in the prayer chapel. The counselors recommend a good balance of reflection, study, and recreational activities. Your personal host couple places a special emphasis on pampering you during your visit to the Quiet Waters Colorado Retreat. They also provide you with your meals each day.

COUNSELING INTENSIVE FEES Financial resources vary widely for those in ministry. Therefore, in lieu of scholarships, we have reduced our fees so that finances will not keep anyone from attending. In addition, special arrangements for payment can be made. All of our counselors are licensed, which means that most insurance companies will pay a portion of the counseling fee. For your payment you receive the following services: Twenty or fifteen hours of counseling with your personal counselor. (Note: We do not use group counseling as a method.) An individualized treatment plan All program materials A follow up by your counselor to assess your progress on your growth plan A large bedroom with a Doctors Choice ® king-size bed and a full private bath Use of our spacious Retreat with a fitness center, hot tub, and pool All your meals prepared by your host couple For the current charges, please contact us toll-free at 1-866-5-Waters (1-866-592-8377).

COUNSELING STAFF Our QuietWaters Counseling Network staff consists of qualified therapists and counselors representing skills, specialties, and training needed to offer quality services through Quiet Waters Ministries. Intensive Couselors David L. Ragsdale, M.A., LPC Mr. Ragsdale is the Director of Counseling and Leadership Renewal for Quiet Waters Ministries. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Colorado and for the last 30 years he has helped individuals, couples, and families strengthen their lives and relationships. Dave received his MA in Counseling from Denver Seminary. His post-graduate work has included Marriage and Family Therapy certifications with the Menninger School of Psychiatry. He is a member in good standing with associations such as the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the American Association of Christian Counselors and the International Board of Christian Counselors. Dave has advanced training in treating anxiety, depression and trauma with treatment modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). He has certifications in Sexual Addiction, Sex Therapy and Life Coaching. For the last 20 years he has provided ministry coaching to Christian leaders across the country promoting marriage and family wellness, leadership excellence and organizational effectiveness. His consulting services and training foster sustainable change, culture shifts and redemptive outcomes for the organizations his clients serve. Werner K. Boos PsyD, STM, MDiv An ordained pastor for almost thirty-nine years, Werner is a Diplomate (supervisor) in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Colorado. Having graduated in 1982 from the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver, he currently is Clinical Director of Pastoral Counseling for Denver and an Associate Pastor. He has broad experience as a parish pastor, as director of a parish-based pastoral counseling ministry, and as mentor and coach of pastors, pastoral counselors, psychologists, and other mental health therapists. His active clinical practice includes work with individuals, couples, families, and groups with a focus on those who have survived major trauma. He has special training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Guided Imagery, and Self-Hypnosis. He frequently facilitates groups such as lay-ministry training, anger management, couple communication, grief-support, family-life, men’s issues, and parent-teen relationships. He also consults with congregations who find themselves in conflict, grief, or other life-transitions. He has been married for 41 years, has three grown daughters, four granddaughters. Victoria Johnson, MSW, LCSW Vicki Johnson MSW, LCSW received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Connecticut in 1990 and has worked in a variety of clinical settings including Community Mental Health, Psychiatric Hospitals and currently is in Private Practice. This experience provides her with a unique way of helping clients via the aid of a multi-disciplinarian focus. Vicki is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Christian Social Workers and was past president of the Denver chapter of the National Federation of Clinical Social Workers. She is active in leadership roles in the churches she a member of. Clinically Vicki is passionate about helping people who are struggling in their lives around emotional issues. She is especially interested in couples, women’s issues and leadership dynamics as they effect the emotions related to anxiety, depression, sexual acting out and other addictions. She specializes in Trauma, sexual abuse, grief work, and family of origin dysfunction related to adult functioning, emotions and marriage. Vicki does extensive work with infidelity as well. She is trained in Eye Movement Sensitization, conflict management and communication skills. She is a speaker at Women’s groups and Mops on various topics. Vicki has been married for 40 years whose husband is in ministry, has 3 married daughters and 5 grandchildren. Tom Varney, Th.M, D.Phil Dr. Tom Varney received his Th.M. in Counseling from Grace Theological Seminary and his D. Phil. in Religion and Society from Oxford Graduate School (major: behavioral science). He has over 20 years of experience in teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in both Counseling and Bible/Theology. Tom served as Dean of the Graduate Counseling Program and Professor of Counseling and Spiritual Theology at Colorado Christian University. Currently, he continues his ministry as a Licensed Professional Counselor (20 years), an Affiliate Professor at CCU, and as a half-time Pastor of a small, historic church in Morrison, Colorado. Tom’s rare combination of counseling, teaching, administrative, and pastoral experience has given him the ability to effectively address and process a broad range of personal and professional issues that impact spiritual life and ministry, which makes him a great fit for the quality spiritual direction Quiet Waters seeks to provide. Christine Denlinger, MA, LPC Christine Denlinger has worked for over twenty years in the area of human development. She is a licensed professional counselor and currently maintains a counseling practice in the Denver area. Prior to moving to Denver, Christine worked in international missions along with her husband and continues to be involved in missions through counseling, consulting and pastoral care for missionaries. Christine is passionate about facilitating growth and reconciliation in relationships. She believes that all people can gain insight and learn skills that will help them live a balanced and fulfilled life as they allow themselves to be transformed by the power of God. Christine received her Masters in Counseling from Denver Seminary. She is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Christine is a member of the American Counseling Association. Due to her cross-cultural experience she is also fluent in Spanish. Christine has been married for 24 years and has two college-age children.