MEREDITH KOONTZ

Meredith Koontz is a clinical mental health intern at RPC and a graduate student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte working toward a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling. She received a Bachelor of Science in History, Secondary Education and a minor in Philosophy and Religion from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

Meredith has experience working with a range of ages, including adolescents and young adults, in educational, professional, and volunteer settings. She is seeking to gain more experience working with individuals desiring to address areas including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, transitional life phases, trauma, and grief. She uses an integrated approach to counseling with Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy as her foundational modality.

In keeping with her theoretical model, Meredith believes in the importance of establishing therapeutic relationships based on respect, trust, and unconditional positive regard. She adheres to the biblical teaching that everyone is created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion (Genesis 1-2). Her view is that the counselor’s role is to be a conduit of God’s love and comforting presence through the act of coming alongside clients as they walk together through their pain and various life challenges. She believes God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Her perspective is that people often experience the nearness of God through the people who are present with them in the midst of their suffering. Her desire is to foster a safe environment for clients to process and explore their emotional, relational, and spiritual landscapes. While Meredith’s Christian faith is at the core of her identity as a counselor, she would never impose her personally held beliefs on her clients. Instead, Meredith seeks to meet clients wherever they are in their own journey, whether that includes faith and spirituality, or none at all.

Meredith is originally from Western North Carolina and enjoys spending time in the mountains with her family. Her mountain heritage has developed in her a deep appreciation for the healing beauty found in the natural world. Some of her favorite pastimes include reading, journaling, and daydreaming with a cup of coffee.