Why This Matters for You (and Those Around You)
God meets us in every detail of our story—not just in our biggest breakthroughs but also our daily struggles. “The wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtains guidance.” (Proverbs 1:5) Whether you’re wrestling with a specific problem or eager to grow in a new area, naming what matters most helps us experience real, lasting transformation.
What Is the Core Question or Focus?
What do you most want God to work on in your life right now? When you honestly identify and share areas of need or growth, we can partner together—expecting God to be active in every aspect. Sharing your focus areas in your intake helps us make your support as personal and effective as possible.
You may print this checklist or complete it on a PDF. Please send it to us before your first session so we can tailor our support and help you start strong.
Focus Areas: An Alphabetical Checklist
Check any box that applies—even if you’re not sure why. There’s no wrong answer.
| Check if You Want To Address | Topic | Check if You Want To Address | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Adaptability | ☐ | Infidelity / Affairs |
| ☐ | Addictions (alcohol, drugs, etc.) | ☐ | Influence & Persuasion |
| ☐ | Adult A.D.D./A.D.H.D. | ☐ | Initiative |
| ☐ | Aging and Life Stages | ☐ | Integrity / Ethics / Morals |
| ☐ | Anger or Rage Issues | ☐ | Job Problems |
| ☐ | Anxiety or Worry | ☐ | Leadership Development |
| ☐ | Assertiveness Training | ☐ | Learning & Study Skills |
| ☐ | Attitude / Enthusiasm | ☐ | Life Balance |
| ☐ | Betrayal | ☐ | Listening Skills |
| ☐ | Bitterness / Resentment | ☐ | Loneliness or Rejection |
| ☐ | Blended Family Factors | ☐ | Loss (appetite, focus, control, energy, motivation, sleep, temper) |
| ☐ | Boundaries in Life | ☐ | Marriage Problems |
| ☐ | Burnout or Exhaustion | ☐ | Marital Restoration |
| ☐ | Career Development & Direction | ☐ | Medication / Drug Issues |
| ☐ | Career Planning / Change | ☐ | Mentoring / Being Mentored |
| ☐ | Caregiver Stress | ☐ | Mid-Life Crisis |
| ☐ | Change of Lifestyle | ☐ | Mother Issues |
| ☐ | Children – Discipline or Rebellion | ☐ | Motivation / Passion / Re-Engagement |
| ☐ | Chronic Illness or Pain | ☐ | Navigating Transitions |
| ☐ | Church Hurt / Spiritual Abuse | ☐ | Observation Skills |
| ☐ | Clarity & Vision | ☐ | Optimism / Positive Thinking |
| ☐ | Co-dependence or Attachment | ☐ | Pain Management |
| ☐ | Communication Skills | ☐ | Panic Attacks |
| ☐ | Community & Belonging | ☐ | Parenting Challenges |
| ☐ | Compassion Fatigue | ☐ | Patience |
| ☐ | Confidence Building | ☐ | Peer Relationships |
| ☐ | Conflict Management | ☐ | Perfectionism |
| ☐ | Control Issues | ☐ | Perceptiveness |
| ☐ | CPTSD (Complex PTSD) | ☐ | Persistence / Perseverance |
| ☐ | Crisis Management | ☐ | Pornography |
| ☐ | Cultural or Identity Challenges | ☐ | Pre-marital Counseling |
| ☐ | Dealing with Difficult Personalities | ☐ | Problem-Solving / Critical Thinking |
| ☐ | Dealing with Difficult Situations | ☐ | Productivity Tools & Strategies |
| ☐ | Death of a Loved One | ☐ | Procrastination |
| ☐ | Decision Making | ☐ | PTSD |
| ☐ | Depression or Sadness | ☐ | Purpose & Calling |
| ☐ | Divorce-proofing Relationships | ☐ | Rejection |
| ☐ | Divorce Recovery | ☐ | Relationship Problems (all types) |
| ☐ | Domestic Violence or Abuse | ☐ | Religious and Faith Issues |
| ☐ | Eating Disorders | ☐ | Resilience |
| ☐ | Emotional Intelligence | ☐ | Retirement or Empty Nest |
| ☐ | Empathy | ☐ | Sadness or Apathy |
| ☐ | Emotional Regulation | ☐ | Second Careers |
| ☐ | Empowered Mindset | ☐ | Self-Acceptance |
| ☐ | Envy / Jealousy | ☐ | Self-Awareness |
| ☐ | Facilitation & Group Dynamics | ☐ | Self-Care |
| ☐ | Family Dynamics or Dysfunction | ☐ | Self-Confidence |
| ☐ | Father Issues | ☐ | Self-Image / Self-Esteem |
| ☐ | Fears & Phobias | ☐ | Self-Regulation |
| ☐ | Financial Stress & Stewardship | ☐ | Sexual Addiction |
| ☐ | Forgiveness | ☐ | Sexual Issues |
| ☐ | Friendships & Social Skills | ☐ | Shame and Vulnerability |
| ☐ | Grief and Loss Recovery | ☐ | Singleness |
| ☐ | Guilt and Shame | ☐ | Single Parenting |
| ☐ | Habit Change | ☐ | Social Anxiety or Phobia |
| ☐ | Health – Medical or Physical | ☐ | Social Awareness |
| ☐ | Healthy Masculinity / Femininity | ☐ | Spiritual Disciplines |
| ☐ | Honesty & Integrity | ☐ | Spouse Abuse / Domestic Violence |
| ☐ | Human Flourishing | ☐ | Stewardship & Giving |
| ☐ | Identity & Self-Acceptance | ☐ | Stress Reduction / Management |
| ☐ | In-Law Dynamics | ☐ | Substance Abuse Recovery |
| ☐ | Team Development | ☐ | Teen/Late Adolescent Concerns (rebellion, identity, etc.) |
| ☐ | Time Management | ☐ | Trauma Recovery |
| ☐ | Trust Building | ☐ | Trust Violations |
| ☐ | Unemployment / Vocational Transitions | ☐ | Values Clarification |
| ☐ | Violence / Rage | ☐ | Vocational Discernment |
| ☐ | Work-a-holism / Work-Life Integration | ☐ | Work Ethic |
| ☐ | Other: ____________________ |
How to Begin On Your Own (or With Others)
- Browse the checklist and check any areas that stand out—even if you aren’t sure why.
- Pray or reflect: Ask God to reveal which areas may need His care the most right now.
- Send your checklist to us before the first session so we can help you start well and focus support where it’s needed most.
Pause and Notice
How do you feel as you look over this list? Hopeful, anxious, relieved, overwhelmed? Acknowledge those feelings honestly—they often signal where God’s care and change are already at work.
How This Practice Changes Things
Naming and checking off specific topics invites clarity, partnership, and measurable progress. “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3) God works deep, lasting change where we need it most—sometimes in ways we wouldn’t have expected.
Moving Deeper: When You’re Ready for More
- Reflect on 2–3 connected areas for deeper insight.
- Bring a trusted friend or mentor into your process for support and accountability.
- Notice recurring patterns and discuss them; often, repeated themes are invitations for breakthrough.
Bite-Sized Ways to Practice This Week
- Write your primary focus area on a sticky note.
- Take a minute each day to pray over or reflect on it.
- Share your chosen area with someone safe.
- Take a small, specific action related to your focus before your next appointment.
A Short Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for faithfully working in every area of my life. Bring Your transforming grace to the topics I’ve checked, and produce fruit that endures. Amen.
CHEW On This™
What one area—big or small—do you sense God highlighting today, and how does His steadfast love give you hope for change?
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Transparency Note: This series is crafted in collaboration with advanced AI tools and thoughtfully finalized by our team to ensure biblical faithfulness and practical relevance for our readers. All stories are fictional and not a representation of any one individual.
Your Story Matters
Has God brought a breakthrough or new clarity in any of these areas? Share your experience to build up and encourage others.
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