Meet Gary Sweeten

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Sweeten.  

Hi Gary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was a teacher for six years before getting a Master’s Degree in Higher Education. I then served as Associate Dean of Students at the University of Cincinnati and received an Ed. D in Counselor Education for six years prior to becoming Minister of Discipleship at College Hill Presbyterian Church. There we established a large training ministry to serve as Lay Pastors and Peer Counselors. That became a national and international ministry that spread to some 100 nations where psychological assistance is rare and preventive services are almost non-existing. I established a faith-based Clinical Counseling Center named LifeWay, which I managed for many years while continuing to write materials and train Peer Counselors through the 501c3 Ministry of Sweeten Life Systems to help underserved populations here and internationally. Because of Covid 19, we developed an online training program called Relationalpeace.org to make the materials and training for distressed persons available anywhere from Cincinnati to Russia to Singapore. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
One of the greatest challenges was to integrate faith and psychology so people of every persuasion can get the assistance they need. Second, many people are unaware that Lay/Peer Helpers can be very effective in delivering high-quality services of prevention and solutions to distressed persons and families. My dissertation faced that question and indicated their value. 

The need for better psychological services has grown dramatically since we began. Far more young people are suffering from anxiety and depression, many with extreme crises of identity. 

Starting and leading charitable organizations is a great challenge. It is difficult to raise funds and find highly competent staff and volunteers. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Becoming engaged in equipping volunteers to offer free services of care and counsel to distressed families and friends requires persuasion and information, plus the ability to teach and carefully supervise people charged with sensitive information and troubled people. 

It has required me to stay relevant and keen on group dynamics, personal counseling, and the latest research on counseling outcomes and holistic care from physical as well as psychological research. I have also delved into the history and practice of seelsorge or soul care from a theological position. 

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Relating with faith, hope, and agape love are the keys to successful care and counseling. All the various psychological models are effective when and if the Helper relates to the Client with Faith, Hope, and Love. 

Pricing:

• Full Courses are $49.00
• Many classes are free or under $20.00

Contact Info:

• Website: Relationalpeace.org

Image Credits
Ron Peake