Merri Ellen Giesbrecht

Contact Merri Ellen directly via email:  merriellen@doingfamilyright.com 

Merri Ellen cares… Her deep compassion for others is rooted in her joy in coaching people to connect better to God through hearing His voice and connect better to one another in their primary relationships. She excels in spiritual direction. Her 20 plus years of people helping have seen her work effectively with children, teens, young adults, mothers and wives as well as pastors and leaders in ministry. She loves guiding people as they explore their dreams, assess their gifts and abilities and pursue their goals. A major life contribution are her landmark contributions in the area of recovery from depression and anxiety where her writing and coaching have impacted people in 120 countries.

1. EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Areas of Competency:

• Life Coaching
• Spiritual Direction/Formation
• Hearing God’s Voice
• Overcoming Depression, Anxiety
• Grief & Trauma Recovery
• Burnout Recovery
• Identity/Self-Worth
• Vocational Transitions
• Women’s Challenges
• Parenting Challenges
• Career / Ministry Challenges
• Pastoral & Ministry Leader Coaching
• Sabbatical Coaching

2. PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Certified Life Coach with LeaderBreakthru
• Master in Spiritual Life Coaching, Christian Leadership University
• Credentialed Reverend, Christian Ministers Association
• Start Right Mentor Training with Teen Challenge
• Bachelor of Arts in Sports Ministry from Briercrest Bible College

3. WORLDVIEW AND COACHING PERSPECTIVE

Merri Ellen partners with God in helping clients understand their value, their potential and what barriers could be limiting them from their greatest freedom in life’s adventure. She believes many people merely live their lives like a high-performance automobile stuck in first or second gear. She loves asking the right questions to help clients to move you out of park and into full gear.

4. CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Merri Ellen’s clients have given their permission to publish testimonials in regards to her life coaching:

“She helped remove lies I had believed for years and taught me to quiet my soul and listen for the voice of God. She is highly skilled and has a unique perspective that comes from beyond the four walls of the church.” (Monique)

“She’s been an important part of my healing journey. Having her hold space for me validated my pain and my situation.” (Abbotsford client & certified counsellor herself)

“Before I met with Merri Ellen, my life direction was unfocused. Merri Ellen is brilliant at breaking down the fluff to get at the basic needs and wants. She helped me to determine and reach occupation goals. What surprised me the most and brought such joy was her willingness to bring Jesus into our conversations.” (Caralee Daigle)

“I have been able to hear God’s voice in our sessions. Holy Spirit has been guiding our conversations, revealing things to us. I was losing hope and to hear the Spirit’s voice again. Having Merri Ellen guide me through some exercises has been a gift. Before meeting with Merri Ellen, I found I was so stuck in my own head with my own thoughts that I was unable to discern between God’s truth and Satan’s lies. I really appreciated having the prayer and guidance with Merri Ellen’s direction. I appreciated having someone to walk alongside me and help me to sift through my thoughts and discern what is from God and what isn’t. I have been to many counsellors and Merri Ellen brings a uniqueness I haven’t had. Authenticity, willingness to share, honesty, encouraging words and allowing God to intervene and direct our time together. Allowing God into every session makes all the difference. Before meeting with Merri Ellen, I was numb—feeling spiritually dead. Stuck in the depression. I wasn’t finding the motivation to do the things I wanted to do and I felt spiritually disconnected. Today, I feel more spiritually alive. I look forward to coming each time to meet with Merri Ellen.” (Nicole Gelderman)

“Merri Ellen truly leans on the Holy Spirit to speak through her, she desires to give Godly advice and rely on the Word. Before I met with Merri Ellen, my life was a little chaotic, full of anxiety, and struggle. These days, inviting the Spirit in and talking to Him helps me to keep perspective and crushes my anxiety! What has made me the happiest about my sessions with Merri Ellen is how energizing our sessions are. Working in the power of the Holy Spirit is amazing and surprising!!! Thanks so much to Merri Ellen, this has been a wonderful journey!” (Gail Derksen)

“My mom had passed away 6 months ago and I struggled with grieving her loss. It affected my children’s sleep and my emotions and how I handled life. In my sessions with Merri Ellen, I realized that Jesus is closer to me and my situation. That him taking care of me covers my past, my present, and my future, and that healing can be real! Praying together opened my eyes to why I was hurting so badly and Jesus took that lie away and spoke truth into it. My mom is not gone, she is with him.

One of the most helpful parts of our sessions is praying together but also the practical advice on how to deal with strong emotions.

I knew that working with Merri Ellen was the right thing for me to do after my friend had mentioned it to me. Jesus wants to tell you how to find your way back and Merri Ellen has a good way to get Jesus and you together in a room. Before meeting with Merri Ellen, I was tired and very sad and angry. Since our sessions, I am happy. I found rest without sleep. I think it was new for me to pray for my family this way.

I was surprised how Merri Ellen knew what to ask me especially when we talked about my mom’s passing. The whole concept of lies and truth was most helpful.

It’s normal to get stuck, but it’s good to get unstuck together. I find the steps and her approach help me beyond the reasons why I come. I use it during the day when I feel stuck by myself. It has changed the way how I live my faith.” (Birte Kroeker)

“I contacted Merri Ellen when I was in a season of transition and change and needed to gain some insights as to where God was leading me and what direction He was going. I needed confidence and to overcome some fears.

I didn’t know about her services and I didn’t know she existed until a trusted friend referred me to her and I’m very glad for that! I actually have never heard of a Spiritual Director before. This is a bit new.  Christian Life Coaching has always intrigued me though, as I also have a background in ministry and counselling. I immediately recommended her to my sister who has also had sessions with Merri Ellen. I told my sister this helped to encounter God in a fresh and effortless way.

Before I met with Merri Ellen, I felt stuck, blocked, fearful, uncertain.  Since our sessions together, I have new tools to move forward and people in my circle who I can turn to when I do get stuck.

What I enjoy most about my sessions with Merri Ellen is how she asks the right questions and allows me to hear the answers from the Holy Spirit for myself.  So, it doesn’t build a dependency on someone to hear God for you, but builds your own confidence in being able to hear and see what God is saying and doing for myself.  Very important.  I have received direction from the Lord and insights into my own journey.

Encountering Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit through multiple visions. Being asked the right questions to find the answers God has. It was so fluid, (it seemed that I was sitting in an open heaven, with no hinderances to seeing, hearing or feeling. Quite possibly one of the clearest encounters I’ve had in a long, long time.) It was very freeing not having to take notes so I wasn’t afraid of forgetting what God had done. She opened the heavens, or provided a very clean spiritual atmosphere where it was easy to move and hear in the Holy Spirit.  No spiritual interference of blockages.

To read more detailed testimonials from Merri Ellen’s clients, click HERE

5. COACHING OPTIONS

1. In Office sessions. For those living within driving distance of Abbotsford in BC’s Fraser Valley, sessions are available directly with Merri Ellen. Session Length – 50 minutes.
2. By Phone or via Skype or Face Time sessions. Where distance limits direct personal access, phone or online coaching has been very effective. Session Length – 50 minutes.

6. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Coaching fees are due at the time of the session and can be paid in cash, cheque or e-transfer. Cheques should be made to Merri Ellen Giesbrecht and e-transfers should be made by the end of the day of the session.

With notification of less than 24 hours, clients are required to pay full price for the missed session.

7. MAKING A COACHING REQUEST

You can contact Merri Ellen to make a direct request by emailing her at merriellen@doingfamilyright.com 

8. MERRI ELLEN’S COACHING LOCATION

DFR Care Centre
31107 Peardonville Rd.
Abbotsford, BC,  Canada V2T 6T9

For directions to get to the DFR Care Centre travelling from East of Abbotsford, click HERE

For directions to get to the DFR Care Centre travelling from West of Abbotsford, click HERE