Couples & Family Counseling
Relationships are rarely difficult for just one reason. Couples and families can get caught in patterns of misunderstanding, defensiveness, silence, repeated conflict, or distance that leaves everyone feeling unseen. Counseling gives you a place to slow those patterns down and understand what is happening beneath them.
Our work is rooted in Scripture and centered on Jesus. That does not mean treating pain lightly or expecting a quick answer. It means making room for truth, grace, responsibility, grief, hope, and meaningful change in the relationships that matter most.
- Communication that keeps turning into conflict
- Emotional distance and loneliness
- Trust after hurt or betrayal
- Parent and adult-child relationships
- Blended-family and changing-family dynamics
- Recurring arguments and unresolved tension
- Boundaries, caregiving, grief, and major transitions
More than marriage counseling.
Some people come as a couple. Others are navigating tension between parents and adult children, siblings, blended-family members, or caregivers. This service is designed for those broader family conversations as well as couples who want a more honest and connected way forward.
The goal is not to force a formula. It is to create room for people to listen more clearly, name what has been hard to say, and practice healthier ways of responding to one another.
Getting started
You do not have to have every detail figured out before reaching out. Tell us a little about what you are looking for, and we will help you understand the next step and whether in-person or online counseling makes the most sense.
Making space for different perspectives in a family
Family members can experience the same event very differently. Changes in household roles, separation, remarriage, grief, and growing independence may bring those differences into focus. Family support creates an opportunity to discuss the concerns affecting relationships and the changes people hope to make.
Before arranging an appointment, explain who is seeking support and whether the concern centers on the whole family, a couple, or a parent. This helps identify the relevant service and counselor. The purpose and participants for sessions can then be discussed with the counselor.
Desiree’s experience includes marriage, divorce recovery, and blended-family dynamics. Teresa offers online support shaped by foster-parenting and teaching experience. Madison works with couples, teens, and families. Related options include couples counseling and parenting counseling.
Counselors whose experience informs this service
Madison Beresford
Madison has more than 14 years of experience walking with individuals, couples, teens, and families. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Christian Counseling and NCCA board certifications in Cognitive Therapy and Integrated Marriage & Family Therapy. His areas of focus include trauma, relationships, addiction recovery, and autism; he is autistic himself.
Desiree Soucy
Desiree brings more than 20 years of ministry experience supporting people through relational pain and difficult experiences. She holds an M.S. in Pastoral Care & Counseling and NACC board certification in Pastoral Counseling. Her areas of focus include trauma, marriage, divorce recovery, blended families, and identity in Christ.
Teresa Lockwood
Teresa provides online biblical counseling and mentoring for women and teen girls. Her background includes teaching, eight years as a certified foster parent, and training in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). She supports people navigating grief, rejection, uncertainty, and foster or adoptive family life.
An informed next step
Read the linked profiles for each counselor’s education, experience, and areas of focus. Our public reviews offer additional perspectives from people who have connected with JoyCare; individual experiences vary.
Start through our inquiry page or call 919-885-6232. A brief description of the concern and preferred format is enough to begin. See the FAQ for information about first appointments, counselor selection, and our Christian approach.