I remember sitting in a group 30+ years ago and saw people hurting and confused about life, but since that group was not designed to help them--other than to be sympathetic, I wanted to see what I could do. This “angst” in me put me on a journey to see if there was a way to help these people beyond that group.
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Since I was in a leadership position at the time, I wanted to see if there was a way that ordinary people could help other people if they had some training in listening/caring skills. I had heard that “people get better when they’re heard,” so I wanted to see if we could help.
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That journey led me to the discovery of a lay counseling program where we were able to train and equip people to listen to others with empathy and even help guide them towards new options to move forward. At the time, our method of “helping” was called lay counseling, but years later realized that “lay counseling” and “coaching” were much the same. We listened, and helped people move forward in an area that they previously felt stuck in. We gave them hope, inspired them to walk forward, believed in their success…and mostly cared for them as a person.
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After spending more than 25 years training and equipping, and providing leadership to hundreds of lay counselors (coaches), helping other organizations set up their lay counseling programs, plus having the rich experience of helping many people through their struggles and transitions, I ventured into a private practice of life coaching.
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Most of us have been through struggles…and like has been said, these times can make us stronger and better (or the opposite). It’s our choice. To have someone come alongside to guide us makes that journey much easier. It’s like someone is holding up one arm as we fight with the other. And once you’ve known the joy of walking through and “getting through,” you can’t help but want to help others through. That’s what I want to do. I am blessed by both trial and joy, so I consider it a great privilege to help others through their journey—whatever that may be! I want to be an encouragement to you.
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A few other details about me….
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BA in Psychology
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Hundreds of hours in training and equipping in people skills, counseling, coaching, and consulting
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30+ years on a pastoral staff of two large churches, which included:
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Organization and oversight of women’s ministries
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Connections ministries and counseling ministries
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Helped start 2 Celebrate Recovery groups (one in each church)
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Personal counseling to many, many people
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Facilitated numerous team building and equipping trainings
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Created a SHAPE class that helped hundreds of people better understand how their personalities, passions, abilities and life experiences helped make them who they are
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Led many mission groups to various countries including Thailand, Colombia and Mexico
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Recipient 2017 IBCC (International Board of Christian Care) Servant Leadership Award
"Servant leaders are committed to serve God by encouraging and caring for others with compassion, humility, and integrity. The recipients exemplify the high standards of the IBCC and the heart of a servant leader in their communities through godly character, care-giving skills, genuine faith, and biblical integrity."
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Light University Continuing Education and Professional Development
Courses Completed for the Professional Life Coaching (PLC) Credential:
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Health and Wellness
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Hope Coaching
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Becoming a Blessing Champion in Your Home
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Relationship Coaching
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Pre-Marital Coaching
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Marriage Coaching
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Marriage and Family: Building a Solid Foundation
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Divorce Coaching
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Parent Coaching
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Today’s Children and Adolescents: Issues and Strategies
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Parenting and Child Discipline: Raising Healthy Kids
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Stress Management
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Women’s Coaching
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Loss Coaching
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Executive Coaching
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Healthy Sexuality: A Biblical and Development
About Glenda Harr
