Where did it all begin?

Hello, and welcome.

I'm so glad you're here.

If I'm honest, I can't pinpoint the exact moment I decided to become a counsellor. Like most meaningful journeys, mine didn't begin with a single decision but with a series of moments—some recent, some reaching far back—that slowly revealed something I hadn't fully seen before.

Over time, these scattered pieces of memory came together to form a picture I couldn't ignore. It's a complex picture. On one side, there's profound beauty—the kind that takes your breath away. On the other hand, there's darkness and pain, often inflicted by the very people and places that promised safety.

I'm talking about the church. This is the community I've called home for most of my life and where I have served in leadership for over twenty years and counting. The church is meant to be a refuge—a place where God meets broken, restless hearts with safety and healing. And for many, it truly is. But I also know that for others, including many leaders, it has been a source of deep harm.

Harm can go both ways - upwards and downwards - leaders on members and members on leaders. We mustn’t minimise harm, especially the harm of those with the least power. The harm of leaders is part of my story. It’s a story of deep, prolonged pain and survival. I can't fully explain why my story has unfolded the way it has, or why I've found a path forward when others experience life stuck. What I do know is this: recovery is possible. Healing is real. And with the right support, survivors can move from merely surviving to truly living again.

That's why I've trained as a registered counsellor. That's why I've founded Nathanael Reuss Counselling.

But more than that, the need for safe spaces isn't limited to faith communities. Life is fragile, and at any moment, any one of us can be hurt by someone we trusted—a family member, a colleague, a friend. Most of the time, we find ways to cope with what we have. But sometimes, the pain is so overwhelming that our usual strategies aren't enough. Our bodies and minds mount defences to protect us, which helps in the short term. But when we're stuck in that defensive mode for too long, we need specialised help to move forward.

That's where I come in.

I've walked this road myself. I've experienced the confusion, the pain, the slow piecing-together of what happened and what it all means. And I've come out the other side—not unscathed, but whole. Now, I want to walk alongside you.

At Nathanael Reuss Counselling, my goal is simple: to create a safe, stable space where your story can be told and believed. A place where you can process your pain without judgment. A place where healing can truly begin.

You don't have to carry this alone anymore. Help is at hand, and hope is real.

If you'd like to talk or if you have questions about whether counselling might be right for you, please reach out. I'm here to listen. And if I'm not the right fit, I have trusted colleagues I can refer you to.

Thank you for being here. Your story matters, and you deserve support.

Warmly,

Nathanael Reuss