About Steve

Steve Bristol, MDiv, LMSW
Steve is passionate about providing support and compassionate counseling and care to individuals, couples, and families facing life-challenging crises or illness with a heart of sincere concern.
He assists his clients in overcoming life challenges, developing healthy life skills, resolving conflict, and accessing needed resources as they seek to fulfill their personal, family, and vocational goals. He is experienced in a breadth of crises and family needs through years of church-based pastoral care and counseling.
Steve has trauma therapy experience in working with children and adolescents ages 5-17 who have experienced multiple traumatic events in their lives. He is primarily using TF-CBT (a type of cognitive behavioral therapy), Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
He also has experience with Trauma-Informed Parenting (TIP) counseling to support parents and caregivers of traumatized children/adolescents.
You can email Steve directly: steven@wocounseling-recovery.com

Clinical Counseling and Therapy Skills
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Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Complex Trauma Issues
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Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(TF-CBT) -
Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling
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Group Therapy
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Church & Ministry Staff Counseling
Internships and Volunteer Work
Social Work Trauma Therapy Intern
Wedgwood Christian Services
Grand Rapids, MI
September 2018 - May 2019
Refugee Foster Care Intern
Bethany Christian Services
Grand Rapids, MI
August 2017 - May 2018
Child Mentor
Kids Hope USA
Hudsonville, MI
2015 - 2016
Care Mentor / Small Group Leader
Ada Bible Church
Grand Rapids, MI
2011-2012, 2018-2019
Returning Citizen (Prison) Mentor
Living Water Ministries Network
Grand Rapids, MI
2012
Coach
Boys Baseball: Western Little League
Girls Basketball: YMCA, Hoop City
Career Experience
Residential Clinician/Consultant
Wedgwood Christian Services
Grand Rapids, MI
September 2019 – August 2020
Provided clinical services and therapy for at-risk youth to help them overcome their traumatic experiences and life challenges.
Chaplain
Grace Hospice
Grand Rapids, MI
May 2016 - Present
Governing Board Member
Zeeland Classis,
Reformed Church of America (R.C.A.)
2014 - 2017
Senior Pastor
Covenant Community Church (R.C.A.)
Hudsonville, MI
2012 - 2016
Lead Pastor
Remembrance Church (R.C.A.)
Walker, MI
2007 - 2011
Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries
Crossroads Church
(Evangelical Covenant)
Cottage Grove, MN
2001 - 2007
Assistant Pastor of Adult Ministries
Hope Presbyterian Church (EPC)
Memphis, TN
1997 - 2001

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Men's Issues
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Addiction Recovery
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Grief Support
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Hospice Care
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Conflict Mediation
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Community Advocacy
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Organizational Leadership / Administration
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Team Building
Education
Master of Social Work with TF-CBT / Trauma Across the Lifespan Specializations
Western Michigan University
Grand Rapids, MI
June 2019
Master of Divinity
Reformed Theological Seminary
Orlando, FL
1997
Bachelor of Science,
Mechanical Engineering
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND
1984
Credentials and License
LMSW Clinical Social Work in State of Michigan
Working toward Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC)
Member of Phi Alpha
(national social work honors organization)
International Service Projects
Participated and provided leadership for service trips to:
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Ecuador, South America with Compassion International, Spring 2009
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Mexico, Winter 2006
Led a short-term team to Playa del Carmen to help build a community center. -
Mexico, Spring 2001
Led a short-term trip for men to Rio Bravo to help build a school for deaf children. -
Austria, June 1997
Led a short-term team to Austria to serve Muslim refugees from Eastern Europe and NorthAfrica. -
Los Angeles, CA, Summer 1991
Led a team of students to serve international college students at UCLA. -
Manila, Philippines, Summer 1989
and Hong Kong/Macau, Summer 1988
Provided leadership for college and community outreach and training for church leaders and college students.