My Life Counsel
Citrus County
My Life Counsel - Citrus County is a branch of My Life Counsel (located in Ocala), a faith-based 501c3 nonprofit organization providing biblically-based counseling services.
To learn more about MLC in Ocala, visit their website.
Yates Boykin M.A.
- Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Arts in Education
- Licensed Pastoral Counselor
- Certified Temperament Counselor
- American Association of Christian Counselors
Yates Boykin holds a Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary. With a prior Master's in Education from Union University, he has dedicated years to teaching in diverse middle- and high-school environments. Now, as he merges his experiences as an educator with his passion for counseling, Yates is driven by a deep desire to support youth, families, and individuals on their paths to healing and growth.
At the heart of Yates's counseling philosophy lies a relational approach. He firmly believes that God designed humanity for connection – with God, with oneself, with others, and with the world around us. Recognizing the profound impact of strained or fractured relationships on emotional well-being, Yates is committed to guiding his clients toward cultivating healthy, thriving connections.
Residing in Citrus County with his wife and two children, Yates finds joy in life's simple pleasures. Whether immersed in a good book, enjoying quality time with loved ones, or savoring delicious cuisine, Yates cherishes every opportunity for connection and enrichment.
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*Yates also sees clients at My Life Counsel's main location in Ocala.
Relational
Research suggests that the relationship between a counselor and their client, also known as the therapeutic alliance, is a key factor in the outcome of counseling. While we depend heavily on our training and skill, we believe it is the relationship between the counselor and client that drives successful outcomes. When we join together with our clients in the counseling process, we expect a genuine connection to emerge. It is this connection that makes exploration and growth real and possible. So, we prioritize the therapeutic alliance! We aim to love our clients well by developing healthy relationships with them because we know that real change always happens in the context of relationships.
Integrative
Our counseling approach is integrative, meaning we combine various approaches to meet clients where they are and help them in a holistic manner, addressing both their present concerns and future goals while remaining grounded in core biblical truths (see more below). We believe counseling is a space of engagement, where through a therapeutic alliance (see above), we reconnect to our heart’s needs, longings and desires so that we can begin to live more fully as we are made and give more fully wherever we are. This involves looking at who we are, what happened to who we are, what we did with what happened to us, and where we want to go now.
Faith-based
Our organization's philosophy and counseling approach is deeply grounded in the wisdom and guidance encapsulated within these biblical truths.
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You are never alone and never without help! “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” ~ Hebrews 13:5 - 6​
You are worthy of love, respect, and understanding! "For you created my inmost being: you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” ~ Psalms 139:13 - 14​
There is hope in God's plan for your life! "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11
FAITH
Faith represents our biblical worldview approach to counseling.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, KJV)
HOPE
Hope represents the mindset everyone needs, particularly in times of trouble.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13, NIV)
INTENTIONALITY
Intentionality represents the renewed life action and taking responsibility.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." (Colossians 3:23, NIV)