AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling
Come discover how to walk in the freedom God intends for you as his beloved daughter.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9
At And Yet She Flourished (AYSF), we refer to your challenging circumstances and painful experiences as your “yets.” At this point, they may feel overwhelming. You may be weary and afraid to get your hopes up.
Can anyone really help?
We hear you and we are not going to let you stay stuck.
At AYSF, we provide Christ-centered support and training that will equip you to navigate whatever challenges you face. We specialize in helping you overcome your “yets” so you can flourish beyond what you have dared to hope for or imagine.
We Specialize in Helping You Navigate:
Challenging Relationships
- Parents
- Children (minors or adults)
- Spouse, fiancé, boyfriend, or ex
- Friends, coworkers, and more…
Painful Past Experiences
(from childhood or adulthood)
- Sexual abuse or violation of any kind
- Emotional or physical abuse or neglect
- Betrayal, rejection, discrimination, or other harm
Life Transitions or Decision Making
- Facing a major life change (career, marriage, motherhood, “empty nest” and more)
- Feeling stuck or unsure how to move forward
- Needing help navigating tough decisions
Distressing Emotions
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Anger / Resentment
- Overwhelm
- Disappointment
- Shame
Body-Related Struggles
- Disliking how you look or feel in your body
- Difficulty consistently caring for your body in ways that promote your flourishing, in terms of: eating habits, exercise, sexuality, and more.
Struggling in Your Relationship with God
- You have questions about God or the Bible that you’ve been afraid to ask for fear of being judged or of receiving unsatisfying answers
- God feels distant or your heart feels cold. Perhaps you’ve stopped attending church or you’re just going through the motions
At AYSF, we are ready to help so that:
No matter what you have been through,
no matter what you have or haven’t done...
“and yet she flourished”
is where your story goes from here.
What Makes AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling
Uniquely Effective?
AT AYSF, we offer a non-clinical alternative to therapy for women who are tired of ineffective, unbiblical approaches to care. We will teach you how to take courageous responsibility for whatever God has actually called you to, and STOP running yourself into the ground trying to control what is not yours to control. Drawing from the Word of God and guided by the Holy Spirit, we will uncover the narratives that have taken root in your heart that are out of alignment with God’s beautiful truth. We will get to the bottom of how those false narratives were introduced through the painful things you have experienced, how those narratives have been reinforced since, and how they have been adversely impacting your quality of life to this day. We will help you engage with God in such a way that you can experience his healing balm right where you need it in your heart and life.
Let’s Address Your Questions:
Where and when do we meet?
AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling sessions are conducted live, online. Sessions are one hour each. We offer both daytime and evening options, availability permitting.
How often do we meet?
We will begin by meeting once a week. Once notable progress has been made on the issues that led you to seek support, we will reduce the cadence of our meeting to biweekly. Once you are able to say “I am flourishing,” we reduce our cadence to once a month.
When you’re ready, we can meet on an “as needed” basis. Essentially, this means the door is always open. You can simply reach out if there is a new challenge you are facing, a decision you would like to talk through, etc. At this point, you are welcome to schedule à la carte sessions without needing to commit to a long-term process again. Having this kind of “lifetime” access to support is one of the many distinctives that makes AYSF truly special.
Do you only work with women?
AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling is currently available for women only.
However, if you desire to see others in your life to experience what AYSF has to offer, you can hire AYSF to teach or train your group, including men and teenagers. (See our options: Transformative Teaching & Training in Christ-Centered Care)
Do you offer relationship sessions?
In addition to our one-on-one sessions, we offer relationship sessions for:
- mothers and adult daughters
- sisters or other female family members
- female friends or business partners
How is AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling different from “Christian Counseling”?
Great question! Christians who make a point to pursue Christian counseling are quite often surprised to discover little or nothing distinctly Christian about their counseling experience. That is because while the counselor or therapist identifies as a Christian, what they have trained in and are practicing is secular psychology. They may have little or no theological training. They may or may not reference Scripture or even reference God at all.
What most Christians who want their faith to be central to their counseling experience are actually seeking is what is referred to as “biblical counseling.” Biblical counseling is a decidedly different modality of care. Unfortunately, many Christians are unfamiliar with the term, or if we have heard it, we imagine it is synonymous with Christian counseling. To learn more about biblical counseling, click here.
AYSF Founder, Susan Kusmin, is seminary-trained in biblical counseling and has served on staff as a biblical counselor with such reputable organizations as Redeemer Counseling Services (RCS) and The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center, both in NYC. To read Susan’s full bio, click here. While the care we offer at AYSF has its roots in biblical counseling, there are distinctives about our approach that lead us to refer to our work as Christ-Centered Counseling. To learn more about AYSF’s distinctive approach, we encourage you to check out the following articles on our site:
Why is AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling worth your financial investment?
AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling is not medical treatment and thus is not covered by insurance. So you may be wondering, why pay “out of pocket” for this kind of care if your medical insurance covers some kind of therapy? Let’s be frank: counselors and therapists of all kinds abound, but truly effective care -that can help get you flourishing across the board in your life- is extremely rare. Sadly, many people report having had a disappointing therapy experience that just didn’t make much difference, or worse, caused more pain and confusion. When we look to God’s Word, we see that we need not be surprised:
Where can wisdom be found?... No mortal comprehends its worth...
The price of wisdom is beyond rubies...nor can it be valued in pure gold...
God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.
Job 28:12-28
First, we see that God says wisdom is extremely valuable. A key dimension of what makes anything valuable is its rarity. By saying wisdom is extremely valuable, God is indicating that truly “wise counsel” is hard to find. This Scripture also reveals that real wisdom is from God. This means that theories and coping strategies that are not anchored in God’s Word and do not involve engaging with God in faith and dependency, are fool’s gold that will tarnish in your hands. So, Yes! AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling is absolutely WORTH the investment! Now you have the opportunity to join the many AYSF clients who joyfully attest that the investment they have made in their comprehensive flourishing has been worth every penny. (Read just a few of their stories below)
True Stories of Transformed Lives
Rosa’s Story
I am so thankful I was introduced to Susan Kusmin at AYSF by a co-worker with whom I shared that I was feeling stressed and out of control. I was going through a stage of deep sadness and frustration. I thought that it was all caused by external circumstances but meeting with Susan has helped me to see that the pressure I was feeling was more about what was boiling up within me that I had been trying to suppress. Susan has helped me to explore the stories that I tell myself about my past, my relationships, and my options moving forward and hold them up to the truth of God. She has shown me how to identify and process my feelings in a God-honoring and soul-satisfying way. My life is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling because my understanding and expectations of myself, others, and God are no longer rooted in misunderstandings and lies.
Susan helped me to identify and pull up the roots of my feeling of shame, insecurity, anxiousness, and inadequacy. I am so much more aware and understanding of myself. It’s also helped me to change the dynamics in my dealings with others, especially at work. I am more confident now (even my boss has noticed!) This has resulted in me sharing more thoughts and ideas which have proven to be valuable to my colleagues and ultimately, to those we serve.
AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling has been life-changing: I am not exaggerating. Finally getting to know myself through God’s eyes has been a gift of a lifetime. I have recommended AYSF to my friends because I am so excited about the healing that I’m experiencing that I want them to have the same opportunity. I only wish I would have found AYSF and started these sessions years ago!
Diana’s Story
I came to AYSF in desperation over my relationship with my parents. I thought Susan would be like the counselors I’d seen my friends go to and give me little strategies and affirm me in my feelings. Little did I know… Susan Kusmin is a wise guide, a passionate cheerleader, and a precious mentor all rolled into one sweet package. Susan helped me see that what I had been experiencing was real and painful AND that there was another way. I am getting free of toxic shame, obedience rotting past its due date, and warped relational patterns that are not God’s design for his children. Working with Susan I began to feel hope, instead of fear, not only for my relationships with my family of origin but for the new family I have started with my husband.
Susan has led me through all sorts of sessions with patience, invaluable knowledge, and a fervent sturdiness set on God’s foundation. I have begun to emerge out of the pit I have dug for years when it comes to body image, perfectionism, painful severing of friendships, comparison of myself to others, desires for my career, and more. I am beginning to talk kindly to myself, to go to God and ask him to teach me how to see, think, and feel rightly, and to pray God will help me love the whole, incredible process.
Sometimes I monologue for a little while I cry and Susan listens. Sometimes I sit back and just listen, as though my own personal pastor has come to tell me – through metaphors, anecdotes, scripture, and sometimes passionate imploration – what the Lord has for me that day. She celebrates my battle wins with unabashed delight.
I was raised as a Christian and have “known God” all my life, but I have never known God as I do now. I often leave AYSF sessions overcome with gratitude at what it means to truly get to know Him on this new level. I believe Susan was sent by God in order to speak His “good design” into my life in a fresh way, a way that is inciting real, meaningful change. I am closer to my God than I ever imagined and more committed to becoming who He wants me to be than ever before. Thank you, AYSF!
Courtney’s Story
I was raised in a family where we all believed in God, but we never truly had God as the focus of everything. He was just… out there. But then God was gracious enough to lead me to AYSF. As a result of working with Susan Kusmin, I now have confidence that God made me with purpose and desires for me to live to my full potential. He wants my life to be a life of flourishing, not just surviving.
I’ve learned that I can have healthy relationships with others while not harming myself in the process. Susan has taught me how to say a “good no” and say hard things with love. Before I started at AYSF, I would enable people in my life, thinking that was the right thing to do. I never realized the Lord intended better for me…for all of us. Knowing God as I do now has given me such peace that I’m no longer running myself into the ground trying to fix everything and everyone. I am experiencing much more happiness and am able to be present like never before.
I’ve been in therapy before I found AYSF. It just felt… “clinical” and cold. But with Susan, it’s the opposite. Susan has a heart the size of the globe. When I meet with her, I can feel her compassion towards me and my journey. She is a safe place. She always grounds me in truth, but she has never judged or condemned me. She is always encouraging and has a special way of helping me see things in a way I never would have seen on my own. Some sessions have more tears than others. Some have more laughter. But I leave every one feeling heard, understood, & most importantly, loved by the Lord.
To anyone considering reaching out to AYSF: just do it! I guarantee you will discover a safe place where you feel loved and able to talk about all the things you are currently carrying. You will gain insight to help you handle all these things and develop skills to make the journey so much better. Contacting AYSF has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself. I have never felt so anchored and yet so free!
Deb’s Story
I’ve been to three Christian marriage counselors and two secular counselors with no real change in either myself, my husband, or our marriage. I had been feeling stuck for many years and found myself resigned to just existing until the Lord takes me home. Though I had been following a daily Bible reading plan for 10 years, participating in bible studies and enjoying relationships with strong Christian women, I still didn’t really have a great relationship with the Lord (or with some other important people in my life.) A friend I respect encouraged me to reach out to AYSF…doing so has made all the difference!
Susan Kusmin is a truly gifted advisor, teacher, and coach who is in tune with the Holy Spirit and works for the Lord’s glory. In one of our first sessions, we looked at the story of Lazarus. “Jesus’ job was to do what He alone could: raise Lazarus from the dead,” Susan said, “but for Lazarus to ‘live alive’ he needed to remove his grave clothes (think a wrapped mummy) and Jesus instructed others to help him do so.” (John 11:43-44) Suddenly I understood: I had been dead in my sin and Jesus brought me to life. But I still had some burial clothes binding me. As I have continued to meet with Susan, the Holy Spirit has revealed more and more lies that have kept me bound and as I apply the truth of His Word, I am finally getting free of them.
The first major burial cloth to come off was the lie that I was worthless. I’ll never forget Susan saying, “You know Deb, you’ve used the word ‘invisible’ to describe yourself several times across sessions. I’m going to close my eyes now [and she did]. I can’t see you. Are you invisible?” “No…” I said, timidly. “That’s right,” she continued. “Just because someone doesn’t see you doesn’t mean you’re invisible; it means something is going on with their eyes that they are unable to recognize the preciousness of the one right in front of them.” In that moment, the Holy Spirit moved in my heart and the tears began to flow. For the first time in my life I knew, really knew, I was seen, I was loved, and I was deeply known by God. Those powerful words and all the words in the weeks following, have changed my life. Now I live as one who is valuable to the Lord.
Since I started working with AYSF I have experienced the Lord going before me in relationships and making a way where there had been no way. Even my marriage of 49 years is changing! I am excited for what the Lord has for me and for us as a couple.
I have an exciting future!
Loriana’s Story
I started meeting with Susan Kusmin at AYSF because I was oscillating between anxious, racing thoughts and feeling numb, like I was just going through the motions of my life. I was tired of scouring self-help books for solutions. I read my Bible, but it felt “flat” and not enough to overcome my overwhelming feelings (which then made me feel ashamed!)
Working with Susan, who is Spirit-led, compassionate, and profoundly discerning, has made all the difference. Susan is funny and lively, intelligent and insightful, honest and inspiring. She has patiently helped me connect the dots between emotions and their origin and taught me practical skills to navigate my emotions in the light of God’s truth. Her ability to bring the Word of God to life is remarkable. Now God’s beautiful answers resonate for me.
Since I began working with AYSF, I sleep better at night, my anxiety has decreased dramatically… it is so liberating! I feel balanced and grounded, fully equipped to follow God’s good plans for my life. Thank you, Susan, for being a faithful instrument in God’s hand!
Katie’s Story
This time a year ago, I felt like I had been pushed off the edge. I was broken, depressed, not myself. I couldn’t speak about certain topics without crying. I met with a Christian counselor who was a wonderful listener but there was no depth – no feedback – she barely spoke. Then a friend told me about AYSF. Susan listened… and gave real counsel – truths to hold onto, steps to heal, to move forward. Susan Kusmin is a beautiful mix of a bible teacher and a coach. She is gentle and caring while being passionate and courageous to tell you what you need to hear. She challenges me and turns me back to God’s truth. She has been a lifeline, an answer to prayer.
There have been many light bulb moments while working with Susan. She has a great way of wording things so I remember them and use them throughout my day. “False peace is no peace,” “Stop stroking the cactus,” “God is your Ace; give Him the trumping power,” “Hand people back their plates,” “It’s a matter of loving people better, not less,” are just a few of the phrases that have “stuck” and keep me grounded in the biblical truths from which they originate. I have learned to process shame and get rid of false guilt. I can better see what is a matter of “life” and what is a matter of “death” and I am choosing life more and more often.
So many times in my life I have felt backed into a corner. Susan at AYSF has shown me there are no corners in Christ. I am free! I really do have options about how I feel, the beliefs that drive me, and the choices I make. This has been life changing!
Jess’ Story
It took me 38 years to finally take the leap and pursue the help that I needed. Now I can honestly say: working with Susan Kusmin at AYSF is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. It has challenged me, shown me love in ways I’ve never experienced, and reframed the way I view myself and my relationship with God. Working with Susan has provided greater freedom in all areas of my life. Freedom in knowing who I am (a daughter of the King!), in how I relate to people, in how I view my body and my relationship with food, freedom to explore the desires God has put on my heart. I have learned how to more confidently make decisions and walk in His purpose for my life. I know God more from working with Susan and am discovering what it really means to find my delight in Him.
I wanted to work with a Christian so I could be open about my faith, but I didn’t really know how AYSF’s approach would be different from working with a non-Christian, or with a Christian practicing secular psychology. I can now say: truly biblical counsel makes all the difference. It isn’t just about alleviating symptoms; it’s about becoming more like Christ. Susan and I dive into the root of sin and give a name to it. We expose worldly views that have gotten a foothold and trade them in for God’s truths. We turn to God for answers. For example: “success” has been a big motivator for me. We broke that down by identifying how God defines success and its relationship to biblical love. That has been a game-changer.
Susan’s ability to incorporate coaching and teaching seamlessly into our sessions is the perfect balance for me. While there are key areas of growth we stay focused on, there is flexibility each week to tackle what is on my mind/happening in my life. We work on practical skills and strategies when needed and often tie them back to larger areas we are working on. The AYSF approach is so holistic: we are always addressing the mind, body, heart, and soul in our sessions. As a result, I have seen so much progress across the board in my life.
Latisha’s Story
The pain of fractured family relationships spurred me to reach out to AYSF. After years of thinking I’d “pray it through and figure it out” I finally concluded I needed help. As a pastor’s wife and church leader myself, the confidentiality of working with someone outside my usual circles was important. I knew online sessions would be ideal with my schedule. But most importantly, I wanted to work with someone I could trust to be in alignment with God’s principles. Susan Kusmin at AYSF has ticked every box. Indeed, Susan’s unswerving commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ as her true north has blessed me far beyond my expectations.
Susan strikes a comforting balance of being able to address hard issues with both truth and grace. Regardless of what concerns I bring to a session I’m always confident that she will kindly but purposefully direct me to the source of true hope and freedom in a way that doesn’t minimize my pain. She is always ready to see the humor in a situation: I can’t think of a session that hasn’t included some welcome laughter. I always feel she is fully vested in equipping me to walk in victory as I grow in making the lordship of Christ a reality in my life. And she has helped me find greater joy in the journey.
As a result of meeting with Susan, I’m operating out of a more positive outlook and feeling more empowered. I am able to maintain my peace when faced with situations that used to unsettle me. I’m making progress in being more empathetic and skillful in how I interact with difficult family members. I also have greater clarity about what is mine to “own” and I am motivated and equipped to change.
To anyone considering AYSF Christ-Centered Counseling I would say, “Just give it a try: you won’t be sorry!” You are sure to see your situation from a new (and higher) perspective. You will recover your hope and the courage to keep walking toward greater wholeness.
It’s Your Turn.
Let’s Get You Flourishing!
Wisdom is better than strength...
Wisdom is better than weapons of war.
Eccl 9:16;18
Challenging Relationships with:
- Parents
- Children (minors or adults)
- Spouse, fiancé, boyfriend, or ex
- Friends, coworkers, and more…
Distressing Emotions, including:
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Grief
- Shame
- Disappointment
Struggling in Your Relationship with God, such as:
- You have questions about God that you’ve been afraid to admit or ask for fear of being judged or of receiving unsatisfying answers
- God feels distant or your heart feels cold. Perhaps your “quiet time” has been dry or non-existent or you’ve stopped attending church
Body-Related Struggles, including:
- Disliking how you look or feel in your body
- Difficulty consistently caring for your body in ways that promote your flourishing, in terms of: eating habits, exercise, sexuality, and more.
Painful Past Experiences (in childhood or adulthood) such as:
- Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse or violation
- Rejection, betrayal, discrimination, or other harm
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