Counselor Ronda Bishop uses herself as a living example to illustrate that whatever doesn’t kill a person can be used positively to make that person stronger. Earlier this month, she opened a counseling office in Sumner within the Spirit of Healing counseling suite.
When Bishop was 27, she had a spot on her foot examined and was startled to discover that despite her good health, she had melanoma. For a time, she couldn’t even say the word “cancer.”
After having the cancerous spot removed, Bishop still dwelled on the fact that she had faced a scary situation — that is, until one doctor forced her to face her fear and admit that she did have cancer.
She hasn’t looked back since. Now, as a licensed counselor with more than 15 years under her belt, she uses her cancer story to help her clients deal with difficult situations.
“I have faith in counseling,” Bishop said. “I like helping people to figure out how to help themselves.”
Previously, she was working from home as a counselor but wanted more exposure and better access to the community. She’s available on Saturdays or by appointment and will counsel children, adults, couples and veterans. Bishop also offers career assessment and “personal coach” services to those with career advancement needs.
“I help people take their next step,” she said.
Before she moved to Sumner in 2004, Bishop was a counselor for a variety of organizations, including the American Red Cross, a minimum security prison and community agencies.
Bishop received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s of education in psychology/community counseling from University of Central Oklahoma.
When in college, counseling seemed the obvious choice, she said.
“I’ve always been drawn to it,” Bishop said. “I’m good at listening.”
Challenges in her career include the “mesh” between client and counselor and client education on what exactly counseling is, she said. The negative connotation with counseling is unnecessary because most people who see counselors are just average people who have come across a problem and need help figuring it out.
Bishop’s goal is to have at least one client per week. She would eventually like to open up her own office separate from Spirit of Healing.
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BISHOP’S NEXT STEP COUNSELING
Ronda Bishop offers a sliding fee scale for her services and counsels adults, children and couples for a variety of counseling services. She currently does not accept insurance.
> Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays or by appointment
> Address: 1818 Main St., Sumner
> Phone: 253-863-1997 or 253-205-4689
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