THE BREAKING GROUND ROOTS
WHERE WE STARTED,
WHERE WE’RE GROWING,
WHERE WE’RE GOING
OUR STORY
The Breaking Ground began in 2012 as Crossroads Counseling, a ministry of Crossroads Church in Westminster, Maryland. Over the years, as the counseling center continued serving clients from both outside of Crossroads Church and outside of the state of Maryland through virtual counseling.
TESTIMONIALs
“My counselor helped me overcome debilitating anxiety both in my early college years and then in marriage. I know that my life would be on a totally different trajectory without her wisdom and care.”
- Female, late 20s
I jumped into some counseling sessions with my wife. I thought I was a just a supporter of her,s but I realized I had my own struggles to work from childhood sexual abuse and struggles with pornography. We both did work individually and as a couple. Without that, I wouldn’t be experiencing the freedom I have today, and our marriage wouldn’t be where it is today.
- Male, late 40s
“Life events around me turned into stressors. I numbed my feelings. I felt like a basket case trying to deal with them. A trusted friend looked me in the eye and gently said, “ I love you like a daughter, and I’m worried about you. Your last text was a cry for help.” That’s when I knew. I started seeing a counselor at The Breaking Ground. I found the courage to share my most vulnerable moments and set personal goals. After a year, this safe place to talk about my feelings, to do my work, and to keep showing up has helped me on the path to freedom. What was once mundane and heavy is starting to feel lighter. I have gotten to the root of trauma, and I can confidently embrace a new identity. That “basket case feeling” I had almost one year ago now feels like a “slow and steady wins the race hope.”
— Married female, 30s
“I am a husband and father who struggles with the worry that “I’m not enough.” I work to the point of exhaustion. I went into counseling to address feelings of unworthiness and self-condemnation. In one of our sessions, we talked about this constant voice asking, “What did you accomplish today?” My counselor helped trace that question back to a conversation that haunted me for decades. He helped me interrupt the constant intensity of my inner critic and listen to a kinder, more patient voice instead."
— Married male, 50s
“I came to The Breaking Ground for help with my relationships with my adult children. I was stuck in some harmful patterns, and my feelings were hurt a lot. I wanted more freedom and kindness in my interactions with them. I am in recovery, but I was still drinking when they were young. Even though I have been sober for quite a few years, my children were carrying some pain. Working with the counselor helped me see that I need to talk with them, as adults, about their childhood. The counselor helped me step back and see things from their perspective. It’s hard work, but necessary to move forward. I have had several talks with one of my children, and our relationship has changed for the better.”
- Single female, 60s
Where we’re going
As we grow, we’ll continue walking alongside those who are hurting, both in our local community and abroad. As we add more counselors, we hope to engage holistic techniques to serve diverse age ranges and group dynamics.
Our goal is that anyone seeking encouragement can find it at The Breaking Ground, whether that’s in a session with one of our gifted counselors, through the resources in our online hub, or from the insights we share on social channels, including our blog and Instagram. Healing and hope can come in many forms, from many sources, all rooted in Christ.
TESTIMONIAL
“There was a time in my marriage where my wife and I just couldn’t seem to connect. We tried communicating on our own, and we just kept missing each other. Our Breaking Ground counselor gave us tools and exercises to understand each other and get back on the same page.”
- Married male, 30s
When I was a sophomore in college, I started experiencing panic attacks and general anxiety and depression that completely interrupted my life. I felt a sense of hopelessness and misdirection. Everyday I woke up thinking that I had nothing to offer the world, that I was no one’s first choice, not even my own. I started driving back home on weekends to meet with a counselor in the very first months of Crossroads Counseling. Through healing prayer, helpful resources, and honest feedback, I worked through unresolved pain and childhood messages. Not only was I able to function without my anxiety overtaking my day-to-day, but I was able to flourish into the woman I was made to be.
Years later, a tough season of marriage and parenting along with post-partum depression and trauma following a miscarriage led me to reconnect with Jenné. Even though years had passed, Jenné still made me feel as safe, seen, and heard as she had when I was nineteen, and this time my husband got to experience it with me. Working with the same counselor I had when I was younger was invaluable to me; I didn’t have to rehash my whole history with someone new. Having virtual counseling available to us was incredibly helpful as I no longer lived local, and with two kids at home, it was such a blessing to not have to drive to a session or get a babysitter. My husband and I could both be present.
I’m so thankful that Jenne has been present at several different crisis points in my life. She’s given me the tools I need to seek God’s best for me in both the mountaintops and valleys of life, and I know that if I ever need to meet with her again, she’ll be there.
—Female, 30s
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Bob Rooney received his Master’s of Christian Counseling from Capital Bible Seminary and completed additional coursework for Maryland certification as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
Bob has experience working with children, teenagers and adults. He works with couples on conflict resolution and trust issues.
An avid golfer and motorcycle enthusiast, Bob missed using his counseling gifts in a therapy setting and chose to come out of retirement to join the counseling staff. His wife Kay supports that choice as long as it doesn’t interfere with grandparenting fun!
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Jenné Hibbs graduated with a Masters in Counseling from Gallaudet University and has accrued thirty years of counseling experience since then.
She has worked in long-term care as a social services director and helped found two counseling centers, one in New Jersey and Crossroads Counseling Center.
Her counseling experience includes working with children, individuals, couples and families experiencing relationship issues, grief, depression, anxiety, codependency, addictions, self-esteem, abuse, parenting issues, spirituality issues, marriage issues, pre-marriage preparation, and trauma.
In her downtime, Jenne loves the beach, biking, hiking and spending time with her family.
how to know if
THE BREAKING GROUND
is for you?
Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether you or someone you love is undergoing normal, everyday stress or whether they’re dealing with an issue that is regularly, negatively impacting their life.
If you’ve reached a point where you feel helpless or unequipped to foster lasting, positive change, it’s time to seek professional help.
Although our counselors are committed to providing Christ-centered counseling, you do not need to be a Christian to receive counseling through The Breaking Ground. Any preferences and boundaries communicated to your counselor related to religion, identity, and communication will be heard and respected.
who does
THE BREAKING GROUND
work with?
OTHER CARE PROFESSIONALS
Sometimes a counselor will recommend that a psychiatrist or other care professional be added to a client’s team. Often, our clients need wisdom from a counselor and help from medication, nutrition, or other physiological aids.
OTHER CHURCHES
Our counselors parter with staff and meet with clients from various churches and organizations. Church staff can email connect@thebreakingground.com to discuss how to sponsor and support someone in need of counseling.
CONNECT ONLINE
Our counseling team regularly contributes to our blog, featuring tools and insights on topics like anxiety, depression, divorce, loss, parenting, and identity.
IF YOU NEED PRACTICAL HELP NOW, WE INVITE YOU TO EXPLORE THE BLOG.
If you crave support outside of The Breaking Ground resources, we invite you to connect with a local church.
FOR SERMON SERIES AND OTHER FAITH AND LIFE CONTENT FROM CROSSROADS CHURCH, CLICK HERE.
