Rooted in Faith, Growing in Community
Hello friends,
Our 3FS team is growing! This month, Firm Foundation Family Services welcomes Chia-Hua Lu to our team of licensed professionals. Chia-Hua brings with her a wealth of experience in occupational therapy, art therapy, and professional counseling. We are thrilled she will be joining us in our commitment to serve clients in northern Virginia.
Please take a minute to read Chia-Hua’s profile below and share our news with loved ones looking for professional support. We continue to welcome new clients and as we grow the 3FS community.
FEATURED BLOG
Virtual Neglect: The Problem with Online Therapy
Online therapy facilitates conversation, but the fullness of human connection is an embodied experience that requires physical presence.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Holiness
by J.C. Ryle
"Cease to regard the Gospel as a mere collection of dry doctrines. Look at it rather as the revelation of a mighty living Being in whose sight you are daily to live.” (Ch 12, p. 236-237)
Ryle skillfully argues that there is no aspect of life that the gospel does not speak to, no category untouched by Christ. First published in 1877, Ryle’s insights about the Christian’s call to holiness is as relevant today as the day they were penned. His writing is simple yet powerful, with a presentation of holy living that will both convict and encourage the Christian and give the non-Christian compelling food for thought.
Welcoming Chia-Hua
to the 3FS Family
Chia-Hua is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Art Therapist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan in 2008 and her master’s degree in Art Therapy from George Washington University in 2014.
She has experience working with families and individuals including children, adolescents, and adults with multiple ethnic backgrounds and life experiences, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and chronic illness such as dementia, brain injury, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
In her counseling sessions, she addresses issues such as identity, boundary-setting, healthy relationships, and overcoming challenges in life transitions. She specializes in trauma therapy and assists individuals who have experienced traumatic experiences, including but not limited to interpersonal trauma, significant losses, and PTSD.
Chia-Hua was born and raised in Taiwan. She currently lives in northern Virginia with her husband and three children. She can read and speak both Mandarin and English fluently. She is blessed by being part of her local church. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking (as a new form of art-making!), being out in nature, and spending time with her family and friends.
MONTHLY PICKS
CARRINGTON'S CORNER
Just a few things I’m loving right now
PODCAST
Java with Juli is hosted by Dr. Juli Slattery in partnership with the ministry Authentic Intimacy. Juli invites guests to engage in “honest conversations about sex, marriage, intimacy, singleness, and God’s design for sexuality.”
RESOURCE
Fairplayforkids.org is a non-profit that fights to protect children from exploitive and harmful business practices, primarily through education, advocacy, and community campaigns like Screen-Free Week.
TIP FOR CONNECTION
Boundaries have an important role to play in healthy relationships, but be cautious about using them to justify self-centered attitudes. Boundaries should not be used for punishing or getting even, but rather outlining healthy parameters for appropriate engagement.
Good counsel requires that we listen well and seek understanding before we offer advice or direction. Let us be curious in our efforts to hear and understand the motives of others’ hearts.
"If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13
Help Us Grow Our Community
If our work has encouraged you in any way, we’d love your support in helping others discover Firm Foundation Family Services. No need to share personal details or mention counseling specifics — simply a few words about your experience with our team or our impact in the community would mean so much.
As 3FS gets up and running I am faced with the significance of the task before me, to be diligent and thorough in establishing this practice on a solid foundation. Please pray for us as 3FS roots itself in the Loudoun community, and share our vision with those around you. We are grateful for your valuable support.
Walking with you,
Carrington