Where Faith and Neuroscience Meet.
At the NICC Institute, we believe formation in care should reflect both God’s Word and God’s design. The same God who speaks through Scripture also designed the brain and nervous system, so understanding both is essential for helping people heal.
Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® brings these together into a coherent framework for care. It equips those called to help others—clinicians, pastors, and leaders—to move beyond surface-level solutions and engage the deeper work of healing with wisdom, responsibility, and faith.
(from one-year outcome study)
Josh and Cassie Spurlock are the founders of Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® (NICC) and MyCounselor® Online, where this work has been developed and practiced over the past two decades. With a pastor’s heart, a clinician’s training, and a shared passion for emotional and spiritual maturity, they created a model that brings together biblical wisdom and clinical neuroscience to support real, lasting transformation.
Together, they’ve spent decades serving individuals, couples, families, churches, and leaders. Their work has helped thousands move from “Fake Joy” to True Happiness through a process that honors the nervous system, the gospel, and the presence of Jesus. They are also foster and adoptive parents to a large, beautiful family that keeps them grounded, grateful, and full of stories.
Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® was born out of a tension I’ve lived in for years.
On one side, I was trained in Bible college, seminary, and church leadership spaces where mental health was often viewed with suspicion—as though it competed with the gospel or offered a path to healing apart from Christ. On the other side, my graduate training and experience in the mental health field exposed me to a world that often viewed the church as outdated, under-equipped, and better off outsourcing the care of hurting people to professionals.
That divide never made sense to me.
If Jesus designed the nervous system, then studying it should help us love people better. And if the church is called to care for the brokenhearted, then we shouldn’t abandon that responsibility just because people’s suffering is complex. From the beginning, I’ve believed that faith and neuroscience were never meant to be enemies—they were meant to work together in the care of people.
That conviction shaped the early years of MyCounselor.Online. Over time, our team developed an increasingly integrated way of helping people—drawing deeply from both Scripture and the best findings of neuroscience, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care. As we trained counselors internally and watched lives change, it became clear we weren’t the only ones hungry for this kind of integration.
What began as an internal training model eventually became Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling®—a defined framework, a clinical residency, and a measurable way of forming helpers to care wisely and effectively. As the model matured, so did the demand. We kept hearing the same question from counselors, churches, and leaders: How can we learn to do this too?
The NICC Institute is our answer to that question.
It exists to equip clinicians, pastors, and care teams with a faithful, integrated, and evidence-informed approach to healing—one that refuses to choose between the work of the Holy Spirit and the study of how God designed the human brain to heal.
The NICC Institute is led by a team of clinicians and leaders actively practicing the model in real-world settings. Each member brings deep experience in integrating faith, neuroscience, and relational care, contributing to a shared framework shaped not just by theory, but by years of clinical application, supervision, and formation.
Josh Spurlock, MA, LPC, LMHC, CST, NICC – Founder @ MyCounselor.Online and developer of Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® BA in Biblical Languages, MA in Counseling, Certified Sex Therapist.
Melissa Abello, M.Ed, LPC, NICC – Advanced Practice NICC Therapist with a Master’s in Counseling. Melissa offers compassionate, faith-integrated care to help clients heal, grow, and live with purpose.
Peter Muhwati, MSW, NICC, EFT, AEDP – Advanced Practice NICC Therapist with a Master’s in Social Work and EFT certification. Peter integrates faith, neuroscience, and relationship expertise to guide healing.
Danielle Schaefer, M.MFT, NICC – Advanced Practice NICC Therapist with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and dual BAs in Psychology and Biblical Studies. Danielle brings clarity, care, and connection.
If you’re familiar with approaches like AEDP, EFT, IFS, EMDR, or other attachment-based and experiential therapies, you’ll recognize familiar foundations in NICC. But what sets this model apart is that it is unapologetically Christ-centered from the ground up.
Developed by Josh Spurlock and the MyCounselor.Online clinical team over more than 20 years, NICC integrates neuroscience, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care with a robust biblical understanding of the human person. This is not a model built to simply reduce symptoms—it’s designed to guide meaningful transformation in how people relate, heal, and grow over time.
NICC was refined inside a real clinical setting, then tested through structured training, supervision, and outcomes tracking. In a 2024 study of 1,211 clients, 93.6% reported a successful outcome after completing NICC care—an outcome rate that is exceptionally strong within the mental health field.
This is not “Christian-flavored counseling.” It is a clinically grounded, theologically informed model that takes both Scripture and science seriously—honoring God’s design for the brain and His work in the process of healing.
NICC offers a framework you can trust—one that has been developed, practiced, and tested over time, and is now being made available to those called to care for others.
Let’s talk about the cost—honestly.
Therapy is an investment. Not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually too. And yes, it’s a significant one. But so is the cost of not getting help. Staying stuck in patterns that hurt you (and the people you love), numbing through survival habits, or silently carrying wounds you were never meant to bear alone—that’s costly too.
At MyCounselor® Online, we’ve made pricing simple with monthly memberships. It’s $350 per 4-week cycle, which includes two 45-minute sessions (or one 90-minute, if that fits you better), plus any extra sessions at a discounted member rate of $175. Most people meet with their counselor every other week.
We know that’s not pocket change. But hear this: when it comes to your brain, your soul, your future—you don’t want the cheapest option. You want the right help. Just like with a heart surgeon or a child’s teacher, expertise and alignment matter. And you, friend, are worth that kind of care.
This isn’t just paying for sessions—it’s partnering with someone who knows how to help you heal. Someone who can help you move from coping to thriving. It’s an investment in your wholeness, your relationships, and the story Jesus is still writing in your life.
You’re worth that. And we’re here to walk with you.
When you start, there’s a one-time $45 setup fee and your first membership payment. From there, your membership renews automatically every 4 weeks—but you can cancel anytime. Any unused sessions roll over as long as your membership stays active and remains available for 12 months after ending.
Want to work with one of our top-tier Advanced Practice NICC Therapists? Just ask—we’ll guide you through your options.
Facing financial challenges? We offer a limited hardship discount for those who qualify. Availability is therapist-specific, so let us know—we’re here to help you get the care you need.
Let’s be real. All of our counselors are phenomenal. Every single one is trained in our proprietary Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® (NICC) model—a proven, Spirit-led approach that blends biblical wisdom with cutting-edge neuroscience. Across all levels of training, our team sees a 93.6% success rate with clients.
But if you’re the kind of person who says, “I want the very best”—the elite level of clinical and spiritual skill—then our Advanced Practice NICC Therapists are who you’re looking for.
These counselors are our most seasoned guides. They’ve logged at least 5,000 hours of clinical experience, honing their craft with extraordinary precision. They’ve walked with hundreds of clients through the deepest valleys and into lasting transformation. And their track record? Stunning. Most haven’t had an unsuccessful client outcome in over a year, with the group averaging a 98.5% success rate.
When you work with an Advanced Practice therapist, you’re getting:
Master-level expertise in both the NICC model and specialized care areas.
Proven results from years of consistently helping people heal and grow.
Deep attunement—they can read the emotional and spiritual “weather” of your soul and know how to help you walk into the sunshine again.
Sacred confidence—that sense of “I’m in good hands, and God is at work here.”
If you want the best shot at breakthrough with the fewest detours, this is your dream team. You’re not just investing in counseling—you’re investing in a guide who has helped countless others step out of the false self, heal what’s been hurt, and grow into the peace, joy, and wholeness Jesus designed you for.
Because when you’re ready for transformation, it’s worth working with the very best. And our Advanced Practice therapists? They’re it
The investment: Advanced Practice NICC Therapy is $450 per 4-week cycle. Need more than your monthly sessions? Additional appointments are available for $225 each.
The Statement below doesn’t capture all we believe—it’s a reflection of the heart and story we share.
The Bible, as the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, is our final guide in matters of truth, morality, and life’s path.
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of the NICC Institute’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Directors is the NICC Institute’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and applications.
Your peace of mind matters. If you’re not thrilled with your first session, we’ll cover the cost and match you with a new counselor. And if online counseling isn’t the right fit for you, we’ll refund every penny—no questions asked.
We’re not in-network with any insurance providers—and that’s on purpose. Here’s why: the best therapists in the field (including ours!) typically don’t work with insurance companies. Why? Because insurance often pays poorly, limits the kind of care we can offer, and creates more red tape than healing space. Learn More.
That said, some of our clients do choose to self-submit claims to their insurance and get partial reimbursement—if their plan includes out-of-network benefits. We’re happy to provide the paperwork you’ll need for that and encourage you to speak to your insurance company for more details about your coverage.
Bottom line: we want you to get the best care possible, and sometimes that means going outside the insurance box.
Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® (NICC) is a transformational model developed at MyCounselor® Online that unites the best of modern clinical science with the timeless truth of Scripture. If you’re familiar with approaches like AEDP, EFT, IFS, EMDR, or other attachment-based, emotion-focused, and experiential therapies, you’ll recognize much of the territory—but NICC is uniquely Christ-centered from the ground up.
Our counselors integrate cutting-edge neuroscience, attachment theory, and trauma research with a biblical vision of the human soul. The goal isn’t just symptom relief—it’s healing wounds, filling developmental gaps, and transforming the coping strategies that once helped you survive but now hold you back. We call this maturing into your true self in Christ—a secure, connected, emotionally healthy person who reflects His love.
It’s a model proven to work: 93.6% of clients who complete their course of care at MyCounselor® Online report a successful outcome. And it’s deeply faithful to God’s Word, holding together what He has joined—His design for the brain and His plan for the heart.
Learn more about how NICC works at: MyCounselor.Online/nicc.
Think of it like a virtual living room—you and your counselor meet face-to-face via secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom. It’s private, safe, and designed to help you connect just like you would in person.
When it’s time for your session, simply click the link in your appointment confirmation email. You’ll enter a digital “waiting room” where your counselor will greet you and bring you into the session when they’re ready. It’s simple, smooth, and totally stress-free.
That depends on you. Most clients meet with their counselor 2–3 times a month for 45-minute sessions—but the rhythm is flexible. Some prefer longer 90-minute meetings or less frequent check-ins. You and your counselor will work together to find a pace that fits your goals, your schedule, and your season.
Whether you’re in crisis or in growth mode, the frequency and length of your sessions are tailored to what helps you heal and thrive.
Yes, you can! Using your HSA or FSA is a smart way to save—you’re using pre-tax dollars set aside for healthcare to invest in your emotional and spiritual well-being.
Just provide your FSA/HSA card details when you meet with your matching specialist, just like a regular credit card. That said, every plan is a little different, so we recommend checking with your provider to confirm your plan’s guidelines and ensure counseling qualifies.
True healing and smart stewardship? That’s a win-win.
Need to cancel? Just use the cancellation link in your appointment confirmation email or reach out to our Member Support team—we’ve got you.
Heads-up: If you cancel within 24 hours of your session, you’ll be charged the full session fee. If tech issues pop up (like an internet outage), you can still attend your session by phone—your healing journey doesn’t have to pause for a bad Wi-Fi day.
You can cancel your membership anytime—no hoops, no pressure. Just click here for the “Membership Cancellation Form”.
You’ll know it’s official when you receive a confirmation email with the subject line: “Goodbye for now.” (And don’t worry—unused session credits stay available for 12 months, just in case you decide to come back!)
Our Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible, as the inspired and authoritative Word of God, is the final authority for truth, morality, and the care of persons. For purposes of the NICC Institute’s doctrine, training, and application, our founders serve as the final interpretive authority on matters of biblical meaning and integration.
Our Statement of Faith is consistent with historic, orthodox Christian belief, including alignment with organizations such as Focus on the Family.
The NICC Institute is committed to practicing and teaching care that is both ethically responsible and faithfully grounded. Our framework aligns with the ethical standards outlined in the American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics.
Participants in NICC training pathways are expected to practice within their appropriate scope, training, and governing professional or ministry standards.
The content produced by the NICC Institute is developed and reviewed by experienced clinicians and practitioners trained in the NICC model. Our resources are designed to be theologically grounded, clinically informed, and practically applicable for those engaged in the work of care.
Because the Institute provides training—not direct clinical services—our content is intended for educational and formational purposes, equipping professionals and ministry leaders to care for others responsibly.
Learn more about our Editorial Process.