Biblical Counseling

We believe God uses the church to unite people to life in Christ, offering the hope of community, healing, and transformation. The world has been broken by sin and suffering, and life with Christ can be difficult for many reasons. As an important element of our community, Portico offers Biblical Counseling as a pathway for people to work through various challenges from a foundation of God’s Word.

The counseling relationship is a special part of the counseling journey and is defined by two people joining together, pursuing God and his wisdom, and seeking to apply that in a way that produces hope, healing, and increasing trust in Jesus.

Biblical Counseling seeks to be truly holistic in that it sees all people as made in the image of God and each person as a unique combination of soul and body. The good news of the person and work of Jesus is the center of our Biblical Counseling ministry as we seek healing and transformation in body and soul. Financial support may be available upon request through the Mercy Fund at Portico. Below you can learn more and request counseling.

Our Counselors:

Sarah blume, MS

My name is Sarah Blume. I desire to help people find wholeness and fulfillment by connecting with Christ in the midst of the challenges of life. I love to enter into the stories God is writing in people’s lives and help them connect to His big story of redemption and grace.

I was born and raised in Indiana, where I attended Indiana University. Following graduation, I worked full-time with a campus ministry and then spent some time teaching and working with children in a variety of settings.

My husband Brian and I moved to central Florida in 2013, where I completed a Master of Science in Professional Counseling at Southeastern University. Since 2020, we have lived in northern Virginia along with our two amazing daughters. 

During my graduate program, I worked as a substance abuse counselor intern in an outpatient clinic, where I counseled individuals in one-on-one and group environments. My ministry and teaching background and current season as a parent also inform my practice, including child development, attachment, and the importance of building healthy relationships. 

Areas of focus include anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, grief, and spiritual development. My hope is to create a welcoming, approachable environment for all I meet.

Danielle Peck, MS

My name is Danielle Peck, a Biblical counselor resident. After 10 years of mostly being a stay-at-home mom to 4 energetic kiddos, I'm excited to get back into counseling, specifically Biblically counseling. I love that while God does not promise us an easy life on earth, He promises that He Himself will come alongside us and comfort us. I love that He gives us His Word and His Spirit to guide us and provide peace, and a safe place in the church to experience His love.

I received my Bachelor's at Cedarville University in Applied Psychology and Sociology. After getting married and moving to Virginia, I completed my Masters in Counseling at Old Dominion University. I received a certificate in School Counseling and did my internships in Arlington county. My experience during my education included interning with children & youth services, volunteering at a juvenile detention center, and as a care manager at a residential home for adults with serious mental illness in Pennsylvania. My experience solidified for me the significant impact of family in child development and how I want to walk alongside individuals and families.

Areas of focus include: family counseling, life transitions, grief, and depression and anxiety.