Counseling and Coaching

The CNH district worker wellness initiative presents a Counseling & Coaching opportunity to meet the ever-changing ministry landscape and needs of our professional church workers. Licensed therapists help you process past hurts and start healing—for your sake, your family’s, and your ministry’s.

Executive coaches help you move from point A to point B—personally, professionally, and purposefully.

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

- Galatians 6:2

Support for Pastors, DCEs, School Administrators, Teachers, and their immediate family members...

Spiritually Grounded Personal Growth: Move through ministry pain and hurts of the past to thrive in leadership.
Safe, Confidential, Compassionate Care: We create a trusted environment where people can process life’s challenges without fear, shame, or judgment.
Practical Tools for real-life change: We equip participants with actionable strategies rooted in Scripture and proven counseling practices.
Leadership and Calling Development: We help individuals discern their God-given gifts and navigate seasons of transition with wisdom and confidence.
Restoration and Resilience: We walk alongside individuals and families through crisis, grief, conflict, and burnout with hope-centered guidance.

Leadership

Jennifer Ferguson

Licensed Professional Counselor

Jennifer Ferguson is a licensed professional counselor in Texas, California, and Nevada with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She has experience working with teens and adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions, with professional experience in drug rehabilitation, school settings, outpatient programs, and private practice.

As a pastor’s kid, former Lutheran educator, and pastor’s wife raising pastor’s kids, Jennifer understands the unique pressures church workers and their families often experience. In her role as Counseling Coordinator, she helps individuals connect with trusted therapists who fit their needs, location, insurance, and preferences, helping them access support and begin counseling as smoothly as possible.

Ashlee Zoch

Certified Executive Coach

Ashlee Zoch is an Executive Coach and leadership development professional with a background in management, education, and performance coaching. She holds a Master’s degree in Executive Coaching and Consulting from the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine, where she developed advanced skills in organizational dynamics, leadership formation, and transformational coaching.

Drawing from her experience in management and team leadership, Ashlee understands the real-world pressures leaders face. She partners with executives, educators, and ministry leaders to clarify vision, overcome internal and external obstacles, and lead with confidence and integrity. Her approach blends strategic focus with whole-person growth, helping clients create meaningful and sustainable impact.

Counseling or Coaching?

Take the Assessment

Are you feeling stuck in your professional career with no idea where to go next?

Are the pressures of ministry impacting your emotional health and relationships with family & friends?

Do you need a "tune up" to ensure you catch any possible issues before they become a problem?

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I reach out for counseling?

You may want to reach out for counseling when you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or burdened by challenges that are affecting your emotional well-being, relationships, or daily functioning. Counseling can be helpful for concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, grief, relationship difficulties, or major life transitions.

A licensed counselor provides a confidential space to talk, gain perspective, and develop healthy coping strategies. If you are unsure whether counseling is the right fit, you are welcome to reach out to discuss your situation and explore what type of support may be most helpful.

When should I reach out for coaching?
Coaching might be for you when you feel stuck professionally or personally, but you're not sure where to go next. Executive coaching gives you time to be honest, to wrestle with ideas, and create a strategy to get you to your goals. Coaching is customizable and collaborative. Coaching isn't 'advice', it is facilitating and guiding the ideas.

Who exactly will be assigned as my coach/counselor?

When you reach out, you will first connect with Jennifer Ferguson or Ashlee Zoch for a brief conversation about your needs, location, and preferences for support. Depending on your situation, this may include discussing counseling or executive coaching options.

If counseling is the best fit, Jennifer will help identify several therapist referral options based on your location, insurance coverage, and any financial assistance needs. She will also help explain available benefits that may help you get started with counseling as soon as possible.

If coaching is the best fit, Ashlee will discuss coaching options and next steps for beginning the coaching process.

What is the difference between Counseling, Executive Coaching, and the Care Team?

The CNH District offers several forms of support to care for the well-being of church workers and their families. While these resources share the same goal—supporting individuals during times of need—they serve different purposes.

Care Team (Volunteer Support) - The Care Team provides a compassionate listening presence for individuals who would like someone to talk with or pray with during a difficult time. Care Team members are volunteers who offer encouragement, support, and a listening ear. While they provide meaningful relational care, they are not licensed mental health professionals or trained executive coaches, and they do not provide clinical counseling or professional coaching services.

Counseling (Licensed Mental Health Support) - Counseling is provided by a licensed therapist with professional training in mental health care. Counseling focuses on concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, stress, burnout, relationship challenges, and other emotional or psychological struggles. Licensed counselors use evidence-based approaches to help individuals process experiences, develop coping strategies, and work toward improved mental and emotional well-being. Counseling services follow professional ethical guidelines and confidentiality standards.

Executive Coaching (Leadership and Professional Support) Executive coaching focuses on leadership development, personal growth, and navigating professional challenges. Coaching helps individuals strengthen leadership skills, improve decision-making, manage conflict, and grow in their vocational roles.

How these supports work together: These resources are designed to complement one another. Some individuals may simply need a supportive conversation with the Care Team, while others may benefit from counseling or executive coaching. When appropriate, individuals may be encouraged to connect with the resource that best fits their needs.

What are the costs involved?

Counseling: The cost of counseling will depend on your insurance coverage and the therapist you select. Depending on your plan, there may be a deductible or co-pay associated with sessions.

If you need assistance paying for counseling, Jennifer can help explore options for district-supported financial assistance. In some cases, a select number of sessions may be covered partially or in full by the district. Depending on the level of assistance approved, you may be asked to contribute a small portion of the cost, similar to a co-pay.

Coaching Costs: You will be quoted according to how many sessions we feel are appropriate for you. We are asking you to include your school or church to help assist with the cost.

Can I use insurance for counseling?

Yes, in many cases you can use insurance for counseling, depending on the therapist you select. Referrals provided to you will include therapists who accept your insurance, helping you access care in a way that works best for you.

If you have Concordia Plans, you may also have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This program typically provides up to eight counseling sessions per topic at no cost to you. Jennifer can help explain how to access your EAP benefits and guide you through the process. If the therapist you select accepts EAP, these sessions can be provided at no charge to you.

Is my request for help confidential?

Yes. When you reach out for assistance in finding a counselor or coach, your personal information is kept confidential and is not shared.

If financial assistance is requested, appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information, similar to the privacy protections used when working with insurance. In rare situations, minimal information may need to be shared in order to coordinate support; if that becomes necessary, it will be discussed with you beforehand and your permission will be obtained.

At the same time, while your information and your name are held in confidence, we do encourage individuals who are seeking coaching to let their congregation, leadership team, or ministry partners know that they are intentionally pursuing personal and professional growth. Many find that this kind of openness fosters encouragement, accountability, and a healthy culture of leadership development.