Get to Know Us
Welcome to our faith- based counseling and educational services, where your story is our priority. Guided by our core values of Compassion, Hope, Restoration, Integrity, and Spiritual Transformation, we offer a unique alternative to clinical counseling. We understand that there is a distinction between treating the brain and the soul, shaping our approach and perspective. Let us support you in finding peace, hope, and wholeness in your life as we embark on a transformative journey together.
The name EZER comes from the Hebrew word meaning “helper” or “strong support.” This reflects the heart of this ministry—to come alongside women as a steady source of care, encouragement, and faith-centered support during some of life’s most painful moments. If you are longing for a safe place to process your story, reconnect with God, and take meaningful steps toward healing, you are welcome here.
What’s the Difference Between Clinical and Pastoral Counseling?
At our ministry, we want you to feel confident about the kind of care you’re receiving. Here’s a simple explanation of how clinical counseling and pastoral counseling differ — and why both can be valuable.
Clinical counseling is a mental‑health profession.
Licensed clinicians are trained to:
• Diagnose mental health conditions
• Provide evidence‑based treatment
• Address trauma, anxiety, depression, and other disorders
• Work within state‑regulated standards.
Clinical counseling is often covered by insurance and focuses on mental and emotional health from a psychological perspective.
Pastoral counseling is faith‑based, biblical, and spiritually focused.
Our counselors:
• Use Scripture, prayer, and spiritual guidance
• Incorporate contemplative-reflection and journaling
• Help you grow in relationships, identity, purpose, and spiritual formation
• Offer support for life challenges through a Christian worldview
Pastoral counseling does not diagnose mental disorders or provide clinical treatment. Instead, it focuses on restoration, discipleship, and spiritual growth.
How They Work Together
Many people benefit from both clinical and pastoral support. If at any point your needs require a licensed clinician, we will help you find the right professional while continuing to walk with you spiritually.
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to offering:
• Compassionate, Christ‑centered care
• Safe and ethical counseling practices
• Clear communication about our scope of practice
• Respectful collaboration with clinical professionals when needed
You are not alone. We’re here to support you.
Our Mission
​Our mission is to support women in Central Maine by providing essential services for their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We aim to cultivate a safe community that fosters healing, resilience, and growth, ensuring every woman has access to vital resources. Through education, outreach, and compassionate care, we assist women on their journey to wholeness, working together to dismantle barriers and create a brighter future.
Meet Maria-Elana
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You are not broken. You are not weak. And you do not have to walk this healing journey alone. At EZER Inc., my heart is to walk alongside women who are carrying the heavy weight of grief, trauma, and sexual abuse—often in silence. Many women come feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure where to turn. My role as a Christian pastoral counselor is to provide a safe, compassionate, and faith-centered space where healing can begin at a pace that honors your story. I am a non-clinical Christian pastoral counselor with experience supporting women through grief, trauma, and the lasting effects of sexual abuse. My approach is grounded in biblical truth, trauma-informed care, and deep respect for each woman’s lived experience. I do not diagnose or provide clinical therapy; instead, I offer short-term pastoral counseling, emotional support, spiritual care, and guidance rooted in Scripture. Healing after trauma is not about “getting over it.” It is about being seen, believed, and supported. In our work together, you can expect a gentle, listening presence—one that acknowledges pain while also holding space for hope, restoration, and God’s redemptive work. Through Ezer Inc., I serve women who are:
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*Grieving the loss of a loved one, relationship, or season of life
*Recovering from sexual abuse or betrayal
*Living with the emotional and spiritual impact of trauma
*Seeking faith-based support outside of a clinical setting
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My family and I live in a small rural farm town in Central Maine. I have been married to my husband for twenty years, and we have one teenage son and a dog. ​I am an ordained minister with AMM in the state of Maine, ID: 1579441.
I am in my senior year of a master's degree in pastoral counseling at ORU with a bachelor's in Christian Counseling and trauma survivor.