Maria L. Nickell, MA, LPC

02/23/2026

Check out my blog post for the week!

https://www.leadchristiancounseling.com/post/when-god-doesn-t-stop-a-bad-thing

02/05/2026

Let’s talk about family estrangement…

08/26/2025

I have a new permanent office location! Very excited to get back to in person sessions now that school is in session! 1651 W Centre Avenue in Portage!

08/12/2025

Let’s talk about stonewalling in the church…

08/05/2025

Why I identify as a Christian counselor

08/02/2025

This is why a diagnosis matters. A lot of mental health disorders look similar but need different treatment plans.

07/22/2025

You might think this is a joke…it’s not 😎😂

07/21/2025

The Bible talks about our loads and our burdens. Our load is what is ours to carry - things that are part of our everyday life and calling. Burdens are the things we need help with - the things outside our control or that are too big to carry alone.

The problem is, most of us carry our load, AND, our burdens, AND often other people’s burdens all by our lonesome. And we wonder why we are so burned out!

Start today built simply becoming aware of all that you are carrying, and ask yourself, “is all of this my responsibility?”

07/20/2025

Here’s a quick view of how the brain and body work to keep us safe

07/18/2025

07/15/2025

“No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven” - John 3:27

I’ve always felt as if I was bursting at the seams to get knowledge and wisdom into the world about so many things, but struggled to organize my internal landscape. I remember getting so frustrated in grad school because I was learning so much and felt convicted to be a teacher. Being the personality that I am I would get angry with myself for not “getting my crap together” convinced that if I didn’t I would miss the opportunity to make a difference.

As I’ve continued to grow, I’ve learned a valuable lesson…

If it isn’t clear in my head, it is not my lack of competence, but a sign from God that the task isn’t for me to accomplish, or it isn’t time to pursue yet.

This has forced me to slow down and recognize my role in teaching; as the conveyer, not the catalyst.

By recognizing my limits I am forced to acknowledge my concept of self and purpose, and wrangle it back into alignment with what God says about those things.